A 31-year-old member asked:

Should i use neosporin, diaper rash ointment, or something else on poison oak?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Steven Machtingeranswered

Allergy and Immunology 46 years experience

Corticosteroids: Topical antibiotics like neosporin and drying agents like diaper rash ointment - usually zinc oxide and vitamin d in petroleum jelly - offer no beneficial effects for the treatment of poison oak. Cortiocsteroid creams are effective if the rash has not reached the blistering stage (see photo). At that point the only effective treatment is corticosteroids either orally (prednisone) or by injection.

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Dr. Paul Carter

Dr. Lily Hwang

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Last updated Sep 20, 2015

Found in:

Child health›Rash›Poison ivy or poison oak

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