How to Treat Poison Oak Rashes With Oral Steroids

Doctors prescribe oral steroids as a way to treat asthma, lung diseases and similar conditions. They work to reduce swelling and inflammation, which means they make an effective treatment for poison oak rashes. Oral steroids should only be taken under the recommendation of a doctor and then only while following a few simple steps

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's prescription for oral steroids
• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions

1. Determine that poison oak caused the rashes. Check the patient to see if he or she came into contact with any poison oak, or mentally review the places you recently visited if you yourself may have it. Poison oak grows in woodland areas in the western and southern areas of the United States and can be identified by the three-leaf configuration of its branches.

2. Call a doctor and ask if he can treat the problem with oral steroids. He may recommend a regimen of steroids to take, or he may suggest some other way to treat the rashes.

3. Take the steroids according to your doctor's prescription. Oral steroids are often administered in "bursts" of a few days and can be taken both as pills and in syrup form. Don't ever increase the dose beyond what your doctor recommends. It may be tempting it the rash persists, but too much medication may cause more problems than it solves.

4. Keep an eye on your rashes and write down any changes or developments. As the swelling and itching decreases, make note of the changes. Also report any negative changes, such as the development of blisters or oozing skin. When your doctor evaluates the situation, a written record can prove invaluable.

5. Watch for side effects. Oral steroids may have a detrimental impact on the body, especially if taken in large doses. Side effects include weight fluctuation, acne and skin problems, alterations in the menstrual cycle, and increased moodiness.

6. Taper your intake off gradually when the regimen is completed. Though the poison oak rashes may be gone, your body might react negatively to a sudden drop in the medication. Talk to your doctor and find out how quickly or slowly you should stop using the drug, and then follow her instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't confuse oral steroids with anabolic steroids, which dishonest athletes use to enhance their performances on the field. Though based in the same family, medical steroids do not have the same negative effects on the liver or reproductive organs that anabolic steroids do.

• Oral steroids often taste quite bitter. If you are administering it to children, be prepared for them to resist, and encourage them to swallow the medicine quickly once it's in their mouth.