Prednisone - I want to cry. :(

decblessings

So I got a pretty bad case of poison ivy or poison oak or something last weekend. It's not going away and it's on my face... while some parts aren't getting worse, they aren't getting better, and I'm still having new spots popping up each day. My doctor just prescribed prednisone. I know it is likely to cause weight gain, among other things. Anyone have any tips or helpful things to make me feel better?

FourIsCompany

I don't have any advice about the prednisone, except that I wouldn't take it. Doctors throw pills at any kind of discomfort and it's a pet peeve of mine.

If the poison is all over your body, take a hot bath and put 4-5 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it and soak for 1/2 hour. If it's just on your face, mix two T of ACV with 1/2 cup hot water and apply it to your face with a cloth or cotton, softly patting it on for 1/2 hour. Then rinse. It might sting. That's OK. And be careful breathing it (although it's great for a sinus headache!). Do that a few times a day.

You can also make a paste of baking soda and water (3:1) and dab it on your face. Let it harden and rinse it off.

Oh, and a little treat like those tiny 1/2 cup servings of Haagan Dazs wouldn't hurt.

Hope you feel better soon! :flowerforyou:

kimstwin

Prednisone will not likely cause weight gain over a short course of treatment. Those side effects occur with long term, chronic use of the drug.

heybales

Still showing up that much later?

Did you confirm items of clothing that may have gotten oil on them have been dealt with correctly?

Like you didn't put gloves back on days later and touch your face again, did you? Seen many do that. Or they pulled the laundry out to clean finally and touched the clothes again.

Though it is known areas that got a lighter touch of the urisol oil may show up later, especially has body starts to over-react.

kathleenjoyful

You may feel "puffy" on Prednisone but a short course shouldn't result in weight gain, or any weight gain will only be temporary. Likely that your doctor has only prescribed you a very low dose. I would recommend resting (not exercising) while you're taking it, because as a drug I've found it put my body under a lot of stress. I hope it clears up and you're feeling much better soon!

KANGOOJUMPS

uck, hope you are feeling better, poison ivy or oak just takes the time to get rid of, its too bad that it is so uncomfortable to deal with, prednisone will not put on weight, if anything, you lose the weight, but you are not on it long enough for anything to happen, hang in there,,, it will go soon enough!

decblessings

Thanks everyone. I made the mistake of weighing myself this morning and was up several pounds. I didn't eat the greatest this weekend but certainly didn't eat 10000+ extra calories! I'm hoping it's water weight that will come off when I'm done.

I was told that poison ivy/oak reactions can take up to 15 days to show up after exposure. It's slowly getting better. I still feel like I look like I've allowed a horror movie makeup artist to practice new techniques all over my body.

Mama_Jag

I am sure the weight will come back off - the body will react to the meds AND the rash by storing water. I know in cases of things like a sunburn I will be up several pounds, also.

Heal first, worry about weight later. Take care!