(MS) -- Warm weather is perfect for a host of outdoor activities.   Whether you'll be taking the family on a camping trip, hiking through the forest, bicycle riding through a state park, or just having a big barbecue bash in your backyard, it's an ideal time to head outdoors.

While you're outdoors you should certainly have fun, but also thoroughly protect your skin from the insects, poisonous plants and allergens. This year you should be particularly cautious because recent SDI/Weather Trends, Inc. research predicts it to be the "itchiest" in years. "Why now?" you may be asking.

"Because a relatively mild and snowy winter has kept the ground from freezing, allowing pesky critters to survive cold snaps and populate," says Jack Grum, Vice President of SDI/Weather Trends, Inc. "The increased heat, dryness and sunshine this summer will allow weeds and greenery to thrive, creating a cozy environment for biting insects, and causing greater exposure to poison ivy and sunburn."

PREPARE IN ADVANCE

With that information in mind, you don't want to risk putting a damper on your outdoor activities by getting bitten by insects or contracting poison ivy. To avoid these situations, your best bet is to take all the necessary precautions when spending time in the open air.

To help you in your outdoor survival, there is a new interactive web site that offers tips for weathering the great outdoors and combating itch called ItchAlert.com. Visitors can plug in their ZIP code to view their city's "itch score" for the current week, week to follow, and season, so they can prepare for the outdoors accordingly. The site also reveals the top 10 "itchiest" U.S. cities and localized itch scores.

WAYS TO COMBAT ITCHING

In addition, here are a few tips you can follow to combat itch, courtesy of outdoor survival expert Greg Davenport:

* Recognize and avoid plants you think could be poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. When in doubt, don't touch it.

* Thoroughly wash the areas of your body and clothing that have come in contact with poisonous plants. Rashes can sometimes be prevented if skin is cleansed soon after contact.

* Wear insect repellent when outdoors.

* While camping or spending time in wooded areas, wear clothing that fully covers the legs and arms to avoid exposure to ticks and other insects, as well as poisonous plants.

* Always be prepared for a possible itch with an anti-itch spray or lotion that contains one percent hydrocortisone, such as CORTAID(R) Brand Intensive Therapy Cooling Spray, which soothes itch and inflammation on contact. It's available now in local drug stores and supermarkets. For more information, visit www.ItchAlert.com.

* Do not wear scented lotions and perfumes--they attract insects.

* Wear sunscreen when outdoors--even on a cloudy day. 

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