poison ivy on crotch

i have poison ivy mostly on my crotch and some other areas. i've been using special scrub soap, domeboro soak and benedryl spray on the areas. some of it looks like it's drying up but the area in the crotch keeps getting worse. is there anything else i should be doing to treat it? how long should this last?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Groin area is a very sensitive area for the posion ivy contact dermatitis. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. You may take oral antihistaminics like benadryl or zyrtec.Also apply calamine lotion as it has a soothing effect on the skin. You can apply OTC steroid cream but it is only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burrow’s solution (available without prescription) can help dry the ooze faster.

Severe cases like extensive blistering may need oral steroids. But they are available only on prescription. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.