POISON IVY 9 days before wedding

The last time I had poison ivy I used zanfel. It's an exfoliant you use in the shower and it brings all the poison to the surface of your skin so it can just be washed away. I had a really severe case from head to toe all over my face,everywhere. After I used it it made the welts go mostly away and the itching go completely away. I would definitely try it

Find an urgent care or walk in clinic ASAP

It's over the counter too. When I got it I got it from Walgreens but I've seen it at the grocery store in there medicine section as well

Seconding a walk in clinic....they may be able to give you an injection of something (possibly a dif steroid) to knock it quicker...

My general poison ivy advise is to not interact with nature and never get it.

But since that's already not happened...

I haven't had poison ivy in years, but if I remember pools often helped me dry it out. It could have been coincidence.

I always found the pink anti-itch cream to work better than the clear ones.

You should have asked your doctor about the pred immediately if you had concerns.

You can maybe try some over the counter allergy meds like Benadryl to control the itch.

@kittyprawn I wasn't even aware of some of the effects until I read about it. Should haves aren't really going to help me here.

@vickid I don't think they are going to do much differently than my PCP. It seems steroids are the way to go with poison ivy.

Thank you @caitlin l -- I'll try checking that out.

No problem! That stuff was a game changer last time I had it. Haha.

I've taken prednisone many, many times in my life (being a allergy-laden child will do that!). If you're having an allergic reaction to poison ivy, there's not much else you can take that isn't a steroid. It sounds like yours is spreading, and you don't want a systemic reaction (seriously, you don't)

If your doctor prescribed it, talk to her about your concerns. Literally every drug has some rare, scary side effects. I mean, Tylenol can cause Steven's-Johnsons disease in rare cases, but people still take it every day.

No advice, I think other PPs covered it. Just wanted to say I'm sorry this happened and am sending good thoughts and hopes for everything to clear up quick!!

Urgent care... asap!

Physically go to a doctor

It's been ages since I had poison Ivy, but I have had skin reaction (contact dermatitis) that were helped by a steroid cream.

Also if you are unable to speak with your doctor about your concerns with the prescription, talk with the pharmacist. They are very knowledgable and can provide advice.

OP a steroid injection will get in your system and start working quicker than oral or cream steroids. please go into a dr today. your pcp cant help you with that from afar....

I would find an urgent care or minute clinic. That almost looks like shingles instead of poison oak. Is it one big splotch or just the multiple little places like your picture. It's very unlikely that the prednisone will cause those side effects but if you want it cleared up by your wedding you're going to have to take them no matter what the origin of the rash is.

P.S. I'm not a Doctor but you need to see one in person.

*I second Urgent Care - could be stress related!! But if it is, P.I., The absolute best thing I have found to clear it up quickly is to use isopropyl alcohol, let that dry, then put the PINK calamine lotion on it. Several times a day. Don't scrub it or use super hot water. And a steroid injection. The ointments and creams make mine worse. Dry it out!

Granted I have been married for forever, but I got it all over my hands about two weeks before our wedding. I went and got either a steroid or cortisone shot. It took care of it pretty quickly.

I second the Zanfel comment! That stuff works wonders!

Fwiw, the rash in the picture actually doesn't look too bad, which hopefully means that with the right treatment it'll clear up or be relatively minimal by your wedding date!

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, I can't get an appointment on the island before we leave and we won't be back home until 6p tonight. I'm going to schedule an appointment with my PCP for tomorrow and make sure it's poison ivy but she said from the looks of it / description via photos/discussion that it is. I will start prescription tomorrow.