Prednisone and Itching: What Users Say

• Tez...
• March 11, 2020

For Skin Rash "I've done the Prednisone treatment for severe poison ivy twice in my life, around 30 years ago and right now. In both instances, the rashes and blistering were severe, and my skin was screaming for relief from the itching. Both times, the Prednisone effect took up to 6 hours to become noticeable, but once that started, the relief became incremental, albeit slowly. The rashes and blisters started to slowly dry after 12 hours or so, with the redness and swelling becoming noticeably less after 18 hours. Any sort of warmth on my arms (where the contact occurred) for another couple of days seemed to bring back the redness and worsen the itching, but holding them under cold tap water for a while would stop that. After the 3rd dose (72 hours), I didn't even think about the rashes and blisters nor the itching, and the tough part was reminding myself to finish out the dosage. The dosage per day (mg) was: 40-40-40, 30-30-30, 20-20-20, 10-10-10 (12 days)"

• tez...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2019

For Eczema "I am 55 and have used prednisone 4 times now, some of the doses were for approx 3 weeks and weaning off on a low amount taking every other day towards the end. Each time it has worked wonders and my skin managed to stay clear for some time. I had no side effects. This week my skin was so bad, itchy puffy eyes, arms so uncomfortable I could hardly type at work, and severely affecting my sleeping. I have been prescribed with 3 days of 30mg as a short, sharp dose. Within hours I felt better and my skin is clearing up, feeling and looking better. This is a shorter dose than my previous times and no weaning off time but maybe that's because it's only 3 days. I think it's marvelous and such a revelation to feel 'normal'. No one can understand how eczema feels unless they have it."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2019

For Allergic Reactions "Had an allergic reaction to a hair conditioner; redness, itchy rashes, and swelling started on my ears, then neck, and face. I tried 3 types of antihistamines for about 4 days and it was only getting worse. Then my doctor prescribed prednisone 50 mg once a day for 5 days. I was so concerned about the side effects that I read in the reviews, but I was desperate and decided to start the treatment. Within 20 minutes after taking the first pill, my skin wasn't as itchy, and it stopped spreading on my arms. On the 2nd day, my face improved a lot, and by the 3rd day, the rashes were gone! I am very thankful for this medication and happy to report there were no side effects for me whatsoever! Hope that helps!"

• Jaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Eczema "Have never had skin issues. A month before my 37th birthday, my entire body broke out in a horrible rash. Was told I had severe eczema and was put on prednisone for 5 days, 40 mg a day. My skin cleared up, and as soon as I was done with the prednisone, the rash came back 10 times worse. I have never been so miserable. Itchy, dry, burning. Went back to see the doctor. This time he put me on 60 mg of prednisone for 4 days, then 50, 40, tapering off over 24 days. Skin cleared up again. 25th day, 1 day being off the prednisone, and the rash is already coming back. I do not want to be on oral steroids. I can't sleep, I am aggressive. Topical creams had done nothing prior. Even cortisone cream didn't help with the itch at all. I know they will give me prednisone again. I mean, this rash covers my body, face, arms, legs, torso. Please tell me there is something better than being on prednisone."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2017

For Allergic Reactions "I had a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy. Both arms, from my wrist to my elbow, were covered in hives. I had to run to the sink every 10 minutes because it felt like my arms were on fire and the worst itch imaginable. I was averaging 1 to 2 hours of sleep a night for weeks. Prednisone saved me, literally. I was going crazy from the intense burning feeling, severe itching, and no sleep. I am on my 4th round of prednisone, since most doctors prescribe way too low a dose for this severe of a reaction. Finally found the right doctor who gave me the correct dosage. I can finally get some sleep, and my arms are not on fire. If it was not for this medication, I think I would be in the loony bin somewhere scratching the skin off my arms."

• Rai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have stiffness in my lower back, pain in the neck area, and hips for many years, but the pain is tolerable. I also get periodic muscle stabs of pain followed by a twitch like when you fall asleep. From time to time, the pain would get bad, and I would need to take pain medications. Narcotics never worked, but Toradol would work well. HOWEVER, when I had an allergic reaction to Toradol with hives and itching and went to the ER, they gave me prednisone. Within two days of taking prednisone, I had SO MUCH energy and was pain FREE. I felt like I was 20 years old again. I had the ambition to get things done. I felt SO good. I felt like I discovered the fountain of youth. I don't know if it is coincidence, but I never had the pain until I contracted HSV."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "Taken for severe hives, rash, itching. Allergic to the world. However, it has also made my joint pain so much better, places I didn't realize were that swollen! Now I'm wondering what else is going on. Good experience this time around. Was on 60 mg/day for 5 days."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2021

For Skin Rash "I’ve taken one 25 mg tablet, and it’s taken the redness away, but insane itching and burning. My feet have swollen and doubled in size, and I can’t sleep, and my mood has been very affected within 24 hours of taking this tablet. I will be consulting my doctor this morning about it. Everything is SO ITCHY, and everything’s burning. Cosmetically helped, but symptoms (e.g., burning, itchiness, swelling) have still occurred."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2017

For Skin Rash "I was on prednisone for 3 days when the rash appeared. It was red, burning, itching like being lit on fire. I read that using lavender essential oils (can be mixed with almond or coconut carrier oils) can work wonders, and I had some on hand. I got a cotton ball and started rubbing it on my legs and arms. It was like a miracle! It can be bought at Walmart in the vitamin aisle for 5-7 dollars, also the carrier oils too."

• Fre...
• March 24, 2011

For Skin Rash "I am a teenager who got poison ivy rash all over my face. I went to the doctor and got prescribed this. I took it as instructed, and the next day, 85% of the rash was gone and most of the itching. I've never seen medicine actually work in a few hours like this!"

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2019

For Skin Rash "My husband and I got a horrible case of poison oak rash, and we both went on prednisone for 1 week. Within days, the rash was clearing up, which is great-except then, our skin got super dry and more uncontrollably itchy than ever! We both have patches of red rashes all over our bodies now that keep us up all night itching. The best relief for me has been coconut oil to keep the worst “winter itch” feeling skin from hurting and burning."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2017

For Eczema "I have had eczema since childhood, which I have treated with emollients and topical steroids, but I had a severe breakout where my entire body was covered. I wasn't sleeping, I couldn't hug my children, I couldn't have clothing that touched my skin. I went to the doctor, and she prescribed a short dose (5 days). Within 12 hours of taking the first tablet, I wasn't itchy, within 36 hours, my skin looked normal again and after 5 days, it was silky soft to the touch. I had not a single bit of eczema for three months after taking the short course. Unfortunately, my normal level of eczema is back, but I can manage it with creams. If it gets really bad again, I'll be heading back to the doctor and asking for this!"

• Alv...
• October 7, 2013

For Allergic Reactions "I had a severe allergic reaction to shellfish twice, and I took prednisone 10 mg for 5 days. The skin rash and itchiness were gone in 3 days. Six months later, I experienced the same condition. I suspect this time it was caused by taking vitamins. The rash and itchiness were gone in 3 days. I recommend this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

For Skin Rash "Had dark red spots on my arms and legs that would itch. After wrongly being diagnosed with scabies, I went back to the dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. They said it was pityriasis rosea. Was prescribed prednisone, 15-day taper. Six days in, and my symptoms are starting to heal pretty well. Not completely gone, but harder to find spots now that have that deep red color."

• Jes...
• August 2, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "I had a really bad reaction to poison ivy on my knee. Huge blisters and burning. I started on 60 mg of prednisone, and after a couple of days, my knee cleared up a lot. I think I am having a reaction, though. My torso feels itchy, like wearing a cheap wool sweater. After two days, I noticed minor hives, but over a large area of my hips, waist, and chest."

• Cat...
• February 16, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "On 50 mg of prednisone for five days, prescribed because of wasp stings, but was too afraid to take the medication, kept it around and had a bad rash and itch outbreak behind my knees, between my fingers, and eventually on my face, bad! Thought I would try the prednisone. I have to say I was blown away by this drug! After 3 days, the rash was 90% gone and then all gone. Had a rash for over a month using a corticosteroid Rx with Benadryl to no avail. What also happened is I got a lot of energy and felt really good, and it probably had a lot to do with my arthritis symptoms in other parts of my body virtually disappearing. I also have plantar fasciitis, and that caused a lot of pain whenever I walked, but for five days I was going for hour and 70-minute walks, walking very briskly without pain at all! All arthritic pain was gone too and plantar fasciitis pain! Relief!!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2021

For Skin Rash "I was prescribed prednisone for contact dermatitis for 6 days on a 60 mg/day 1 - 10 mg/day taper. It took care of the dermatitis issue while on the medication, but 2-3 days after finishing the medication, I developed a severe itching burning rash all over my hands, arms, chest, neck, and legs. I couldn't stand it, and I went to an urgent care unit and was told I was having a rebound dermatitis flare because I should have been on prednisone for 14 days. Okay... fair... so I take the prednisone starting at 60 mg and tapering slowly for 14 days. The rash comes back on my chest/neck and arms/hands after finishing the medication again, but is less severe. It has been about a week and a half off prednisone, and my skin is still pretty itchy but starting to clear up. Never again will I take steroids unless I have no other option."

• Nic...
• December 14, 2018

For Eczema "Ahh... where to start... ok, I'm 34 years old, never had any type of issue with my skin, rarely get pimples or any skin blemishes at all. So you can probably understand my confusion a couple of months back when the edges on the underside of my hands and my palms started getting little zit-like bumps, and the itch and irritation that ensued. I go to the doctor and get a steroid shot and a diagnosis of 'Dihydrous eczema' and sent on my way. Here's the thing, it will dry the eczema up ... and fast ... but it only lasts while you take the meds, and made my infected areas peel thick layers of skin off. I've had success with the two creams I have now, not the ones I had been given at first. But if I come in contact with certain leathers, it will immediately break out again. So, if the condition is severe, take the medicine ... I did. But get Fluocinonide cream, that is better long term."

• Ton...
• August 6, 2017

For Pharyngitis "My throat was so sore I couldn't sleep. After 3 weeks of little sleep and swollen tonsils, I finally asked the doc for something, she prescribed me prednisone. Couldn't believe it, by that night, I was sleeping with no itchiness at all!!! What a miracle drug."

• Rob...
• September 27, 2020

For Gouty Arthritis "46 yrs old. Non-drinker. Heart patient. Diuretics & warfarin. Had an allergic reaction on my first dose of prednisone 50 mg (2 x 25 mg tablets). My palms & body began to itch all over & I had difficulty breathing. Ceased prednisone. I noticed my gout pain settled after the single dose though. The next day I commenced colchicine 500 mcg (500 ug). I took it for 4 days, 3 times a day, & the swelling & pain did not subside. It sent me bonkers going to the toilet with diarrhea & began to bleed on the 4th day. Colchicine was useless as it did nothing for me. On the 5th day I went back to prednisone, but this time a smaller 12.5 mg dosage (half of a 25 mg tablet) & I had no allergic reaction on this small dose. The gout swelling & pain eased within 2 hours & I was able to walk again. Pain went from 8/10 to 3/10. Prednisone is the wonder drug for gout for me. It works brilliantly. I just have to monitor my warfarin INR levels as it's known to interact with it and make INR shoot up."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2017

For Allergic Reactions "I just returned from A&E after beginning to experience anaphylaxis shock from an allergy to nuts. I had mistakenly eaten pecan nuts in a biscuit. I had twice in life had the shock and felt this coming on. Strangely, it didn't progress to a full reaction, but the symptoms I was getting were a strange taste, a bit of swelling in my mouth and hands and feet. Underneath my skin was feeling increasingly itchy, but it's blood running under the skin. The doctor at A&E gave me about 10 tablets of this prednisone. I had never been given or suggested it before, and he said this can take a few hours, but in 5 minutes, my symptoms had gone. It is an amazing drug, but he said most GPs wouldn't prescribe it to me. I now carry 2 for an emergency. It is an amazing drug, my body had a quick reaction to it. Recommended."

• Saf...
• April 24, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "An ear infection and nerve compression resulted in Bell's palsy when my doctor prescribed prednisone tablet Omnacortil 20 mg, a full tablet morning and evening for five days, and then reduced the dose slowly for the next five days, then only half a tablet in a day for the next five days. As this drug can cause severe side effects such as confusion and allergies. This tablet worked for me for the infection, BUT as soon as I stopped using it, my face and neck started itching badly with severe acne all over them, and then I went to a skin specialist, and the acne went off in a week but left black spots all over. It’s better to take any other substitute for this drug because I have read a lot of reviews on this drug causing side effects and now my own worst experience."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For Psoriasis "On the first day of taking prednisone, the itch stopped and the psoriasis started to disappear, but mine was not severe, thank God. My only worry is that it keeps you up at night, and I love to sleep, lol, and I hope I don't get any hair loss, lol."

• Coo...
• December 1, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "I was exposed to numerous midgee bites all over my body, which I'm extremely allergic to. I was prescribed Prednisone 25 mg tablets and Betnovate 1 mg cream, and on day 2, I have seen fantastic results. Swelling has gone down, and itching has almost completely disappeared."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2020

For Skin Rash "I get poison ivy rash every year, go to urgent care. Usually from my dog, as I know what it is. This year, I pulled the ivy from an area at my new house. Bathed immediately in Tecnu, tried to alleviate itching with cortisone cream and anti-itch spray. Went to urgent care after 3 days with the rash, 5 days after exposure. It did not look as bad as other years, the doctor gave me a 16-day prednisone prescription, filled immediately. Usually, I get a shot of prednisone to get me started on recovery, but not this year, it did not look very bad, but it is uncontrollable to me. Now, 3 days of 40 mg, and this morning is the first day of the 30 mg dose. It is not working well! Now, 10 hours after taking the 3 pills, it is driving me crazy! Why does this not work as in the past?"