Poison Ivy Archives

Poison Oak, Prednisone dosages

Dr. Stoll,
I'm in the midst of what I believe to be a "bad" case of
poison oak. I began itching aprox. 6hrs. after exposure
starting in and on my left ear. Within two days my left
ear, cheek, and left eye were all very swollen. A very hot,
red,bumpy rash covered the entire left side of my face
as well as my neck. Two days later I went to the E.R.
because It looked so bad. They gave me Prednisone @
a dosage of 60mg a day for 4 days as well as an
antibiotic Cephalexin (1 capsule 500mg) to be taken 4x
a day for 5 days due to possible ear infection. I should
mention I was also washing with an agent called Zanfel
which is topically very helpful. Well 4 days after this
treatment everything was improving greatly. BUT.....the
E.R. did not taper me off the Prednisone and 1 day after
coming off of it cold turkey a few of the small remaining
spots I had came back with a vengeance! I went to a
new doctor who was appalled at the non-tapered
dosage and started me back up on the Prednisone at
a rate of 40mg for 3 days, 30mg 2days, 20mg 2 days
descending down at this rate. I am currently at the first
day of 20mg dose and my rashes are definitely drying
and improving. But this is day 12 since exposure and
NONE of my rashes have completely gone away. All
have stopped oozing days ago (3-10dys) ,but all rashes
are still very red and often itchy. 4 questions for you:
1. Does the new Prednisone protocol look to be
sound?

2. Am I being impatient, how long can it take for oak
rashes to completely disappear from the skin?

3. My left ear feels internaly congested,similarly as what
a head cold might due, should I be concerned?

4. I have seen mention of (serum?) allergy. What is this
and could I be in danger of.

Thanks so much for your time.
Sincerly,
suffering in California

Follow Ups:

• Re: Poison Oak, Prednisone dosages (Archive in poison ivy.) Walt Stoll 07:56:11 12/18/00 (0)
• Re: Poison Oak, Prednisone dosages Vince F 15:41:10 12/16/00 (0)

In Reply to: Poison Oak, Prednisone dosages posted by Alexi on December 16, 2000 at 14:23:54:

This may sound extreme and I have no experience with
these poisons but use cayenne pepper for many things and it
has worked on everything I have tried but I would mix some
with water and maybe salt and apply it in a small area that
isn't obvious and see what it did. It may be crazy but steroids
aren't any fun either.

VF

In Reply to: Poison Oak, Prednisone dosages posted by Alexi on December 16, 2000 at 14:23:54:

Hi, Alexi.

In MY opinion BOTH of your prednisone protocols are exactly what would be either not totally effective OR predispose you to serum sickness.

First, unless one is on cortisone for a month or more there is no reason for tapering. The problem with your first protocol was that it was not given long enough (In MY experience it takes at least 80 milligrams a day for a sure cure.) Your second protocol was deficient in BOTH the dose and the length of treatment since both of them had to be increased BECAUSE of the initial failure.

Anyhow, it seems that you are going to be all right now so keep your fingers crossed.

Remember that you cannot be harmed by using Rhus Tox along with what you are doing (Homeopathic available across the counter).

Systemic allergy, a common complication of the suppression of a topical allergy with cortisone, is the most likely cause of your ear problem and the antibiotic (which any physician who has kept up with the literature knows is ineffective for ear infections) is likely contributing to your problem.

Remember, I am not there and your physician IS.

Hope this helps.

Walt