Prescription corticosteroids are usually only prescribed to treat poison ivy rash if the rash covers more than 10% of the skin or if the face, hands or genital are involved.Ĭorticosteroids are available as oral tablets, topical preparations (creams/ointments) or injections. If this happens, you may need a prescription antibiotic. Rarely, you can also develop a bacterial infection at the rash site. Most cases of poison ivy don’t need to be treated by a doctor however, widespread poison ivy rashes may require treatment with a prescription corticosteroid. Consider other remedies such as aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, or witch hazel.Apply cool, wet compresses to soothe the itch or take frequent colloidal oatmeal baths.
The sap of the poison ivy plant contains an oil called urushiol which causes an allergic reaction and rash within 12 to 48 hours in 85% of people it contacts. Poison ivy (botanical name Toxicodendron radicans) is a plant that grows almost everywhere in the United States.