How to Treat Poison Ivy Rashes With Cortisone

Over-the-counter anti-itching creams that use cortisone as an active ingredient may be too mild to treat a full-blown ivy rash. These products may be used, however, to treat the rash in its later stages, once drying agents such as calamine lotion, baking soda and oatmeal have done their jobs.

Things You'll Need

• Cortisone cream
• Oatmeal
• Baking soda
• Epsom salts
• Calamine lotion

Instructions

1. Get the early stages of a poison ivy rash under control by using calamine lotion to soothe and protect the affected areas, and oatmeal baths to provide relief from itching. Applying cold compresses made with baking soda and Epsom salt may also help to relieve the skin irritation. Keep the water cool, which will prevent your skin pores from opening up and allowing the oil from the poison ivy to penetrate further.

2. Use calamine lotion on the affected area, applying it liberally 3 to 4 times per day, until the rash is free of oozing and weeping clear fluids. You should discontinue the use of calamine lotion once the skin around the rash is dry and healing, since it can dry out your skin too much and cause it to itch all over again.

3. Switch to cortisone cream once you have stopped using calamine lotion to treat poison ivy rashes. You may want to try the cortisone cream on a small area of irritated skin first to rule out an allergic reaction. Once you have deemed the use of cortisone cream to be both safe and effective, apply it to the rash.

4. Try an oral product with cortisone to treat poison ivy rashes. Some studies have shown that these preparations can be effective in reducing the rash and itching even in the early stages. Be cautious with using these products without your doctor's approval if you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or peptic ulcers.

5. Visit your doctor and ask for cortisone treatments if you have been unable to find relief for an advanced case of poison ivy rashes. This type of therapy may be useful when the rash has become infected, or if the rash covers large areas of your body. In many cases, the doctor may opt for corticosteroid treatments, which generally offer relief in a very short period of time.

Tips & Warnings

• Spraying deodorant on your arms and legs before you go into the brush may be an effective way to reduce the chance of a poison ivy rash.