Can Ketoconazole be used for poison ivy rash? (3+ promising treatment options)

By Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Page last updated: 27/01/2024 | Next review date: 27/01/2026
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Author bio

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights: 

  • Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
  • PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
  • Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
  • Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina

 

Professional Experience:

 

From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.

 

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.

 

In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.

 

Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.

 

Education:

 

  • 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
  • 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
  • 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil

 

The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:

 

Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347. 

 

Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.  

 

Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315. 

 

Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245. 

 

Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res.  2021; 35(22):4494-4501. 

 

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976. 

 

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020;  31(7):709-717.

 

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688. 

 

Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019;  30(8):p 828-837. 

 

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343. 

 

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051. 

 

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922. 

 

Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382. 

 

Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57. 

 

You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below. 

 

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/

 


Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
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In this article, we will discuss whether Ketoconazole is used for the management and treatment of poison ivy rash. We will also discuss some promising treatment options and home remedies to help manage poison ivy and related symptoms. 

Can Ketoconazole be used for poison ivy rash?

No, Ketoconazole can not be used for poison ivy rash. Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication, meaning it treats infections that are caused by fungi (1).

This medication is not effective for random rash or itching, and can only control these symptoms if the infection is of fungal origin. Poison ivy is not a fungus, virus, or bacteria. It is a plant that can cause a rash when it comes in contact with your skin (2).

Poison ivy causes rash because of the substance called ‘urushiol’ present in it, and this substance is contagious – which makes this rash easy to transmit from one person to another upon direct physical contact (3).

So, if you are in an area where poison ivy might grow, it’s important to be cautious and try to avoid contact as much as possible. 

How is poison ivy rash treated?

Poison ivy is treated using some OTC and prescription medications. The choice of treatment can also depend on the severity of symptoms or how bad the rash is. Furthermore, there are some non-pharmacological remedies that can also be used for symptom relief.

Let’s take a look at the treatment strategies for poison ivy rash:

Pharmacological ways to manage poison ivy rash

Treating a poison ivy rash includes managing itching and discomfort associated with this condition. Both prescription and OTC medications are used for it. These include: 

  • OTC formulations like calamine lotion and topicals containing Hydrocortisone can be used to manage the symptoms (4). Other corticosteroids like Triamcinolone can also be used.
  • Prescription medications, containing oral corticosteroids like Prednisone are prescribed to manage inflammation (5).
  • Antihistamines are also recommended for itching and rash (4).

Non-pharmacological ways to manage poison ivy rash

Some remedies to help manage symptoms associated with poison ivy rash include (4):

  • Applying a cold compress can help reduce itching and inflammation.
  • Aloe vera gel can be applied to the rash due to its soothing properties.
  • Oatmeal bath is also known to help with rash and itching.
  • Witch hazel can be applied to the rash, as it contains astringent properties.
  • Diluting apple cider vinegar in water and applying it to the rash can also provide symptomatic relief. 
  • Honey also contains healing properties and can help reduce inflammation and itching to some extent.
  • Do not scratch the rash, as it can cause it to spread to other parts of the body. 

It is important to note that home remedies are not enough to manage your symptoms on their own. Topical preparations are essential to manage the symptoms in a  better way. Some people may not need oral treatment, but antihistamines are considered effective to use.

If you think you have a poison ivy rash, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor will determine the best possible treatment strategy for you.

How to know you have poison ivy rash?

Poison ivy is characterised by the following signs and symptoms: (6)

  • Redness
  • Intense itchiness
  • Small fluid-filled blisters
  • Patchy rash on the site of contact

It is important to know that only a doctor can confirm a poison ivy rash, which is why it’s important to seek medical attention if you have similar symptoms. The rash may take some time to appear on the site of contact and may not appear right away. 

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have discussed that Ketoconazole can not be used to treat a poison ivy rash. There are other OTC and prescription formulations to help manage the symptoms associated with this condition, and some home remedies can also help. 

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References

1.-

Sinawe H, Casadesus D. Ketoconazole. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32644647. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559221

2.-

Kim Y, Flamm A, ElSohly MA, Kaplan DH, Hage RJ Jr, Hamann CP, Marks JG Jr. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Dermatitis: What Is Known and What Is New? Dermatitis. 2019 May/Jun;30(3):183-190. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000472. PMID: 31045932. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31045932/

3.-

Corbett MD, Billets S. Characterization of poison oak urushiol. J Pharm Sci. 1975 Oct;64(10):1715-8. doi: 10.1002/jps.2600641032. PMID: 1185545. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1185545/

4.-

Butt M, Flamm A, Marks JG, Flamm A. Poison Ivy Dermatitis Treatment Patterns and Utilization: A Retrospective Claims-based Analysis. West J Emerg Med. 2022 Jun 30;23(4):481-488. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2022.March.55516. PMID: 35980412; PMCID: PMC9391006. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35980412/

5.-

Curtis G, Lewis AC. Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. 2014 Dec;6(6):429-34. doi: 10.14740/jocmr1855w. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25247016; PMCID: PMC4169084. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4169084/

6.-

National Library of Medicine. Poison ivy – oak – sumac rash: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000027.htm