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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Oral Pred or Kenalog cream while waiting for derm appt?
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.
Oral Pred or Kenalog cream while waiting for derm appt?
by panthera, Dec 24, 2006 12:00AM
Hello, here's my info: 38yo Asian female, rash started ~2wks ago, raised, inconspicuous dots around corner of mouth. Spread to all of chin & nasolabial folds, more prominent, like slightly inflamed follicles. Also a little around temples, epicanthus, & between/above eyebrows.
Somewhat itchy but not as bad as bites/poison ivy. Even less itchy now. Presently same areas, not really papules(?) anymore, just blotches of red, scaly skin.
Use only veg. soaps & shea butter, nothing else. (No changes except toothpastes, both non-fluoride).
From derm websites, I say it's POD, and am wary of steroids for that reason. No MDs around me agree. At health clinic - "poison ivy, oral pred." (i get poison ivy all the time, never like this) Dad & bro (surg & anesthes.) don't recognize it, but swear it's not POD as described on web (showed them article by Hans Kemmler & photos from DermIS.
They also say pred cannot possibly be harmful unless I'm immunocompromised.
While I wait for appt w/dermatologist, can I take oral pred? I read that potent topical steroids were contraindicated. How about mild ones like Kenolog? And oral pred? And if we don't know cause, why antibiotics - just seems to help? Maybe an opportunistic infection?
My dad says if I delay taking pred, I'll require more serious tx. Also, a few other sites say POD is chronic & extremely annoying for both patient and doctor.
In summary:
1) Is it POD?
2) While waiting for appt, take oral pred, use Kenolog cream, or nothing?
3) Why antibiotics?
4) Typical prognosis?
THANK YOU!
panthera
Somewhat itchy but not as bad as bites/poison ivy. Even less itchy now. Presently same areas, not really papules(?) anymore, just blotches of red, scaly skin.
Use only veg. soaps & shea butter, nothing else. (No changes except toothpastes, both non-fluoride).
From derm websites, I say it's POD, and am wary of steroids for that reason. No MDs around me agree. At health clinic - "poison ivy, oral pred." (i get poison ivy all the time, never like this) Dad & bro (surg & anesthes.) don't recognize it, but swear it's not POD as described on web (showed them article by Hans Kemmler & photos from DermIS.
They also say pred cannot possibly be harmful unless I'm immunocompromised.
While I wait for appt w/dermatologist, can I take oral pred? I read that potent topical steroids were contraindicated. How about mild ones like Kenolog? And oral pred? And if we don't know cause, why antibiotics - just seems to help? Maybe an opportunistic infection?
My dad says if I delay taking pred, I'll require more serious tx. Also, a few other sites say POD is chronic & extremely annoying for both patient and doctor.
In summary:
1) Is it POD?
2) While waiting for appt, take oral pred, use Kenolog cream, or nothing?
3) Why antibiotics?
4) Typical prognosis?
THANK YOU!
panthera
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 25, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 25, 2006 12:00AM
1)Is it POD?
No, it sounds nothing like poison ivy.
2) While waiting for appt, take oral pred, use Kenolog cream, or nothing?
Nothing. It sounds like rosacea, which steroids would worsen.
3) Why antibiotics?
If it is rosacea, antibiotics help, acting as anti-inflammatory agents. But I'd wait on a secure diagnosis to use.
4) Typical prognosis?
Great.
I urge you to get the information you need from a doctor in person. I don't think you're doing yourself any favors by surfing the web and asking numerous friends and relatives, MD's or not.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
No, it sounds nothing like poison ivy.
2) While waiting for appt, take oral pred, use Kenolog cream, or nothing?
Nothing. It sounds like rosacea, which steroids would worsen.
3) Why antibiotics?
If it is rosacea, antibiotics help, acting as anti-inflammatory agents. But I'd wait on a secure diagnosis to use.
4) Typical prognosis?
Great.
I urge you to get the information you need from a doctor in person. I don't think you're doing yourself any favors by surfing the web and asking numerous friends and relatives, MD's or not.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Dr. Rockoff