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Suggest Treatment For Red, Itchy Hand With Swollen Genitals Post Exposure To Poison Ivy
I apparently I was exposed to poison ivy on Monday. My right hand is right hand is red and itchy and my genital are is extremely red and swollen. The over the counter itch relive cream I bought has help with the itch. Should the swelling start to go down soon? do I need to go to urgent care?
Wed, 1 Feb 2023
Hello,
You seem to be having irritant contact dermatitis due to exposure to poison ivy. Wash your skin. For poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, you might be able to remove most of the rash-causing substance if you wash your skin right away after coming into contact with it. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Rinse completely. Also wash any clothing or other items that may have come into contact with a plant allergen, such as poison ivy.
Steroid creams or ointments. These are applied to the skin to help soothe the rash. You might apply prescription topical steroids, such as Clobetasol 0.05% or triamcinolone 0.1%.
You may take 1% hydrocortisone cream over the counter and apply it over the rash. Try cooling the cream in refrigerator before applying. You may also apply calamine lotion. Apply cool, wet compresses. Place a cool, wet cloth over the rash for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
Take an anti-itch drug. An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Advil PM, Benadryl, others), which may also help you sleep better. A nonprescription antihistamine that won't make you so drowsy is loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others). If your rash and swelling do not subside even after the above treatment, you may need to consult a physician.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
You seem to be having irritant contact dermatitis due to exposure to poison ivy. Wash your skin. For poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, you might be able to remove most of the rash-causing substance if you wash your skin right away after coming into contact with it. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Rinse completely. Also wash any clothing or other items that may have come into contact with a plant allergen, such as poison ivy.
Steroid creams or ointments. These are applied to the skin to help soothe the rash. You might apply prescription topical steroids, such as Clobetasol 0.05% or triamcinolone 0.1%.
You may take 1% hydrocortisone cream over the counter and apply it over the rash. Try cooling the cream in refrigerator before applying. You may also apply calamine lotion. Apply cool, wet compresses. Place a cool, wet cloth over the rash for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
Take an anti-itch drug. An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Advil PM, Benadryl, others), which may also help you sleep better. A nonprescription antihistamine that won't make you so drowsy is loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others). If your rash and swelling do not subside even after the above treatment, you may need to consult a physician.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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