The itching will kill me I fear.
 

I have broken out with Poison Oak.

All over my body. I mean don't get me wrong, it's not severe...yet.

I want to know how best to clear it up without having to resort to a steriod shot. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it, I hate going to the doctor and would love to cure this at home.

from what i just read on google is there aint much you can do and you can enjoy it for 2 something weeks.

calomine lotion is about the best you can do. You'll run around looking like a strawberry milkshake for a week, but you'll feel better ;)

OTC Benadryl will help with the itching... (But don't use benadryl cream - this is the OTC allergy medicine.)

Cooled teabags also will help with the itching - as to cool compresses.

Calamine lotion helps with the drying out of the rash.

hmm look in stores for some oatmeal crap you put in baths it makes you stop itching...worked real well for me!

Don't EVER get a steroid shot for PO. It is too persistant in the system. Call your doc and ask for a Medrol Dose Pack. It is a short course of a short acting steroid. Itching gone with first dose, and its out of your system fast with rarely any side effects.

Hmm, that's interesting gonadman. I live in a rural area, so Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac is very common. VERY COMMON. I've just been lucky enough to somehow avoid it up until now. And people always get the shot here. Always. It's standard practice at every doctor's office and hospital.

But I'm not disagreeing with you, because I don't know enough about it to do that. I'm just saying, that's what everyone does where I'm from, and I've never heard of any unfortunate consequences.

Teabags, huh? Well, if you need someone to teabag you, I have your hookup.

Seriously, though, I would probably recommend the steroid. I mean, with such a small dosage, you're not going to get "roid rage" or have your wang shrivel up or anything.

The doctor is there for a reason. He/She has the cure for what ails you.

The shot is usually Depo-Medrol which has a long half life in the body- its usually used for joint injections to give relief for 3-4 months from arthritis pain.

The oral steroids are quick acting and out of the system quickly. Sometimes so quick that a second pack is needed for a simple episode of PI.

We get our fair share of PI here and only the older docs give the shot. Maybe the younger docs are a bit more cautious due to the whole malpractice crisis here now, but the point is the same.

Also, the side effects may be subtle and not immediately obvious- increased blood sugar, reduced immunity, reduced healing, weight gain, etc.

If its my body, I would NEVER get the shot. Go with the Medrol dose pack. Its safer

Ok, I'm going to my doctor tomorrow and I will talk to him about what you've said. Thank you very much.