For all you might know, I could have been promoting myself as an expert, and this is not allowed, here. So, it could be good to probe and test me, in case I was. So, thanks
Even if I'm being honest and open to evaluation, this does not mean I must be correct about my ideas and information.
This sounds good, to me
One thing, by the way, which seems to have been common advice for decades, at least, is to wash a poison ivy exposure site as soon as possible with soap and water, and this can keep you from ever having a problem.
If you know what poison ivy looks like, you have a good chance to know if you rub it, and right away you can wash with soap and water, and probably not even get the itch. Also, maybe we can get exposed by rubbing our skin on clothing or something else . . . or a pet . . . which has rubbed in poison ivy??
Prednisone is a prescription drug. Therefore, it needs to be used as the doctor has directed. So, if your doctor says to take it in a specific way on a steady basis, it is understood that you should not vary from how the doctor has scheduled you to take it.
And in case your problem does not seem to change because of using the prescription as directed, you should let your doctor know this, and do not just try to find other ways and substances to handle the problem without first making sure your doctor knows.
Especially, do not start adding on some other drug or treatment, unless you first make sure this alternative substance or treatment will not interact badly with the Prednisone!! In case you wish to start some other drug or use an herb or do something else which includes a new substance being used, make sure with your Pharmacist that the Prednisone is safe to take while using any other substance; even if a new substance is used only on the surface of the skin, you need to make sure. And make sure this is ok, with your doctor.
I understand that what I'm offering you is not expert advice on my part, but what is commonly found in print-out instructions which come with prescriptions from a pharmacy. Even over-the-counter medicines and herbs and other substances in certain cases can interact with prescription medicines. So, make sure any new treatment is cleared with your pharmacist and doctor.
And, again, make sure your doctor knows, if the Prednisone still does not seem to be working; plus > in case you have already added any other substances to treatment, and you did not first make sure with your trusted professionals at pharmacy and the doctor's office, then now make sure you tell your pharmacist and doctor that you added anything without letting them know.
And I suppose you know how nice it works to get into the smoke of burning poison ivy. I understand that even dead and dried poison ivy leaves on contact or its smoke can be a problem . . . a big-time problem especially with the smoke. Is this your experience?
I suppose if alcohol or calomine or toothpaste cause stinging, this can mean the skin is more damaged. And I read that alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be too intense so they can interfere with healing tissue.
Also,
is it possible that the silica in toothpaste could work down into damaged tissue and cause microscopic slicing of tissue . . . if the skin is broken enough to let it in?
But if the skin is more intact, so those things do not sting . . . I guess they could be ok.
But I am concerned that toothpaste silica could get worked around in damaged skin, at least, so it could help to damage the skin enough to get an infection or slow the healing. So, maybe a dentist or pharmacist or doctor would know for sure about this.