Re: Prednizone and Poison Ivy
Pitter wrote:I should have worn a chemical emergency suit. I had to cut down a big dead tree covered in poison ivy vines and with the sawdust and bits and pieces flying every which a way I came down with a nasty case. A doctor told me that taking prednizone would knock it out quickly and it did clear up the rashes on my face in a couple of days but several days after finishing the eight day treatment the rashes on my arms continue to torment me. Any ideas why this is so? I am also wondering if one's alergy to it worsens as one ages or worsens with each contact.
The prednizone will work to get rid of the worst of the itch, but you will find you will contiune to have little flare ups for weeks. Try not to scratch directly on the skin or you get an infection from small particles of dirt under your nails. The 8 day treatment sounds standard (did the pills come on a card and you take a few each day until they are gone? - that's the usual package).
Try and find a product called Tecnu. You can get it on line, try drugstore.com. This product removes the oils that stay on your skin and continue to cause itching. Follow the instructions on the label.
Each time you get poison ivy the body reacts in a more extreme way. It's not age so much as exposure. On hot humid days you should stay far away from the stuff. The oils can get into the humid air and enter your skin when you sweat.
Good luck, I've been there and I know it's not an easy road.