Guide To Preventing And Treating A Poison Sumac Rash

Apply A Steroid Ointment Or Cream

The rash caused by poison sumac may persist for weeks, and it is often intensely itchy. To help manage the itching, patients can apply a steroid ointment or cream. Hydrocortisone cream is one of the most widely used steroid creams, and it is available over-the-counter. Individuals who use non-prescription topical steroids should always follow the dosing recommendations, and these medications should not be applied over large areas of the body. Using topical steroids daily for two weeks or more could result in thinning of the skin at the application site, and the risk of this is increased if the topical steroid is used on the under-eye areas, skin folds, or other parts of the body with naturally thinner skin. To reduce the likelihood of side effects, patients should apply topical steroids no more than twice a day, and ointments and creams need to be applied to the affected area in a thin, even layer. Patients who have not seen any improvement in their symptoms after using topical steroids for two weeks should see a dermatologist for evaluation. If necessary, the specialist can prescribe higher-strength topical steroids or other treatments that may be more effective.

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Try Antibiotics

Severe cases of poison sumac rashes could lead to infection, and patients might develop a fever, significant swelling, and blisters that have a discharge of pus. In these instances, it may be necessary to try antibiotics to treat the infection. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin and clindamycin are effective for many skin rashes, and doctors might wish to prescribe these first. For patients with very advanced symptoms who need oral antibiotics, specialists often prescribe tetracycline, dicloxacillin, or erythromycin. Patients using mupirocin cream may notice dry skin, and stinging could occur at the time of application. Headaches, nausea, and abdominal pain have been reported in some patients, and these rare side effects should be reported to the prescribing doctor immediately. Individuals taking dicloxacillin might develop diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, and some patients have had oral thrush and yeast infections. If these side effects develop, they should be reported to a healthcare provider, and it may be necessary for the patient to switch to another antibiotic.

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