You would think that apoison ivyrash would be as easy to treat as it is to recognize. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Choosing the type of steroid to use, as well as the dose to give, is very important in ensuring that your child’s poison ivygoes awayas quickly as possible.Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Getty ImagesCommon Treatment MistakesCommon mistakes that are often made in treating poison ivy include:Mistaking poison ivy for some otherrash, such as impetigo, chickenpox, or chiggersUsing an over-the-counter-strength topical steroid, which usually isn’t strong enough for anything but the mildest cases of poison ivyUsing a prescription-strength topical steroid cream or ointment when a child has moderate or severe poison ivy and really needs an oral steroid for symptom reliefTaking an oral steroid at too small a dose or for too short a time (such as a prepackaged steroid dose pack); this may help relieve symptoms at first, but they may flare up again after a few days.Only relying on OTC or natural poison ivy “cures” and not visiting your pediatricianUsing topical antihistamines or topical anesthetic creams or ointments, which can lead to further irritation and reactionsEven just getting a steroid shot for poison ivy can sometimes be a mistake. While some parents request a steroid shot because they maybe assume it will work faster or is stronger, these types of shots only last for about 24 to 48 hours. That can allow anything but a minor case of poison ivy to flare back up.Is Poison Ivy Contagious?The Best TreatmentsThe best treatments for poison ivy usually include some combination of:Cold, wet compresses with aluminum subacetate (modified Burow’s solution) that can be applied toitchy areasof your child’s skin for 15 to 30 minutes a few times each dayCool or lukewarm colloidal oatmeal bathsAnti-itch creams, such as Calamine Lotion, Caladryl Clear Topical Analgesic Skin Lotion, Itch-X Anti-Itch Gel with Soothing Aloe Vera, or Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream with Natural Colloidal OatmealOral antihistamines to help control itching, such as Benadryl or Atarax (hydroxyzine), a prescription-strengthoral antihistamineTopical steroid creams, including prescription-strength medium- to high-potency steroidsOral steroids, such as Prednisolone (syrup or disintegrating tablets) or Prednisone (pills), that are usually taken twice a day for at least 14 to 21 days, with the dose being tapered over timeA steroid shot, Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide)Keep in mind that oral steroids and steroid shots are typically reserved for children with moderate to severe poison ivy.These children have a poison ivy rash on several areas of their body, may have swelling of their face, or have an intensely itchy rash.In addition to treatments from their pediatrician, some parents also try an OTC poison ivy medication, such as Ivarest Medicated Cream, IvyStat, Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub, or Zanfel Wash For Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac.
You would think that apoison ivyrash would be as easy to treat as it is to recognize. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Choosing the type of steroid to use, as well as the dose to give, is very important in ensuring that your child’s poison ivygoes awayas quickly as possible.
Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Getty Images
Common Treatment Mistakes
Common mistakes that are often made in treating poison ivy include:
Even just getting a steroid shot for poison ivy can sometimes be a mistake. While some parents request a steroid shot because they maybe assume it will work faster or is stronger, these types of shots only last for about 24 to 48 hours. That can allow anything but a minor case of poison ivy to flare back up.
Is Poison Ivy Contagious?
The Best Treatments
The best treatments for poison ivy usually include some combination of:
Keep in mind that oral steroids and steroid shots are typically reserved for children with moderate to severe poison ivy.These children have a poison ivy rash on several areas of their body, may have swelling of their face, or have an intensely itchy rash.
In addition to treatments from their pediatrician, some parents also try an OTC poison ivy medication, such as Ivarest Medicated Cream, IvyStat, Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub, or Zanfel Wash For Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPork L, McGovern T.Patient education: poison ivy (beyond the basics).UpToDate.com[internet].Additional ReadingCurtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. (6):429-34.Froberg B.Plant poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am; 25(2): 375-433Habif: Clinical Dermatology, 4th ed.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPork L, McGovern T.Patient education: poison ivy (beyond the basics).UpToDate.com[internet].Additional ReadingCurtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. (6):429-34.Froberg B.Plant poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am; 25(2): 375-433Habif: Clinical Dermatology, 4th ed.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPork L, McGovern T.Patient education: poison ivy (beyond the basics).UpToDate.com[internet].
Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855w
Pork L, McGovern T.Patient education: poison ivy (beyond the basics).UpToDate.com[internet].
Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. (6):429-34.Froberg B.Plant poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am; 25(2): 375-433Habif: Clinical Dermatology, 4th ed.
Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. (6):429-34.
Froberg B.Plant poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am; 25(2): 375-433
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
