Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor within one to two weeks of finishing your Prednisone course. This allows them to assess your response to the medication and your overall recovery from poison oak.
Monitoring Side Effects
During your follow-up, be prepared to discuss any side effects you experienced. Common side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia, mood changes, and increased blood sugar. Your doctor can help manage these and advise on ways to mitigate their impact.
Assessing Poison Oak Healing
Your doctor will examine your skin to evaluate the healing progress of your poison oak rash. They’ll check for signs of improvement or any persistent symptoms like inflammation or itching.
Table of Potential Side Effects and Management Strategies
| Increased Appetite/Weight Gain | Discuss dietary adjustments with your doctor or a registered dietitian. |
| Insomnia | Your doctor might suggest strategies for better sleep hygiene or consider alternative medications. |
| Mood Changes | Openly discuss any changes in your mood with your doctor. |
| Increased Blood Sugar | Regular blood sugar monitoring and potential adjustments to your diabetes management plan (if applicable) may be needed. |
Further Treatment Options
If your poison oak rash isn’t responding well to Prednisone or if you experience severe side effects, your doctor might discuss alternative treatment options, such as topical corticosteroids or other medications.
