Cortisone shot reaction

[MOMOFTWO12]

My daughter received a cortisone shot on Monday for an outbreak of poison ivy. Tonight, Thursday, I noticed she has developed what appears to be a rash of some sort from the injection point on her thigh. It is a thin line almost line someone took a pen and drew a read line down her thigh. It starts just below the bruise from the injection and is about 6-8 inches long. Is this a normal reaction?

[Rowena Santos, MD]

How a re you? How is your daughter? Cortisone is a natural body product, hence , there are no allergic reactions.Cortisone shots helps to alleviate allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation of the skin during exposure to poison ivy or poison oak and even in arthritis and other orthopedic problems. The most common side-effect is a '”steroid flare”. This is a condition where the injected cortisone crystalizes and can cause a brief period of pain worse than before the shot. This usually lasts a day or so and is best treated by icing the injected area. Another common side-effect is discoloration of the skin where the injection is given. Atrophy of the skin, thinning of the skin and infection may also occur at the site of injection.
(http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/paindrugs/a/cortisone.htm)

However, if  the rash persists, it would be good to see your doctor for proper evaluation.Take care and keep us posted.