Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Poison Ivy
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Poison Ivy
by Chip, Jun 07, 2000 12:00AM
Doctor:
Can you become immune to Poison Ivy? Will your body always react the same to exposure? Every time I come in contact to Poison Ivy
the reaction is severe and treatment in many cases requires a trip to the hospital for shots. Also, is 1% cortisone as found in medication such as Cortaid, safe to apply on the face of a child over 7 years in treating Poison Ivy. Tried it a few times with great results, however, I am concerned about scarring.
Thanks for your help.
Can you become immune to Poison Ivy? Will your body always react the same to exposure? Every time I come in contact to Poison Ivy
the reaction is severe and treatment in many cases requires a trip to the hospital for shots. Also, is 1% cortisone as found in medication such as Cortaid, safe to apply on the face of a child over 7 years in treating Poison Ivy. Tried it a few times with great results, however, I am concerned about scarring.
Thanks for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 08, 2000 12:00AM
, Jun 08, 2000 12:00AM
Chip:
To answer your question in reverse order:
Sure, 1% hydrocortisone is safe, though it probably won't help much. Most likely, the case you treated was mild and going away anyway. But that's OK.
Poison ivy can't scar, because it just affects the epidermis of the skin.
Once you're allergic (and most people are), you'll pretty muchy always break out. If you have the kind of violent reactions you describe, you really need to avoid vegetation (wearing clothes, etc.) Eradicating the plant is essentially impossible, and it's always mixed in with other vegetation, so you never see it.
So keep your shirt on. Literally.
Best.
Dr. R
To answer your question in reverse order:
Sure, 1% hydrocortisone is safe, though it probably won't help much. Most likely, the case you treated was mild and going away anyway. But that's OK.
Poison ivy can't scar, because it just affects the epidermis of the skin.
Once you're allergic (and most people are), you'll pretty muchy always break out. If you have the kind of violent reactions you describe, you really need to avoid vegetation (wearing clothes, etc.) Eradicating the plant is essentially impossible, and it's always mixed in with other vegetation, so you never see it.
So keep your shirt on. Literally.
Best.
Dr. R
when you get an allergic reaction to anything, in most cases the reaction becomes worse with each exposure, If I were you I would be very cautious of your environment and carry an epi pen.