Common "Oral Steroids" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Oral Steroids

Oral steroids are potent medicines that taken orally and are used to reduce inflammation in many conditions. They are available as pills and liquid. Some of the commonly used oral steroids include Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, and Prednisone.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

My mother takes six pills of 20 mg of Prednisone every other day. Does this pose any danger?

Query: Hello doctor, My 76 years old mother has a kidney infection. The doctor prescribed 20 mg Prednisone, and she is to take six pills every other day. I have taken Prednisone before, and I know the danger of this medication. Are six pills of 20 mg Prednisone every other day too much?  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Steroids are not used in infection. In fact, if a person has an infection, then steroids will flare it and result in septic shock, as they decrease immunity. If a doctor has prescribed it, that means the kidney infection is less likely. She might have some degree o...  Read Full »

Is steroids necessary for all COVID-19 patients?

Query: Hi doctor, I am having fever for the past one week. I have already seen a doctor and started medication, and I am feeling stable now with a minor headache. Should I still take steroids that have been prescribed?  Read Full »


Dr. Radha Peruvemba Hariharan

Answer: Hello, Welcome back to icliniq.com. If your fever has subsided and you do not have any lung signs, I suggest you not to take steroids unnecessarily. Did you do RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) for COVID-19? Even for COVID, we give steroids only if you have a fever that is no...  Read Full »

What is the possibility of my hair dye causing hives?

Query: Hello doctor, I have hives along with swollen feet, hands, and lips. Hives are itching. I took tablet Claritin and Prednisone for my hives. I am already taking tablet Abilify and Topamax, and I have dyed my hair recently. I guess these are the two possible causes for my hives. Which do you think wou...  Read Full »


Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Since when have you been taking these medicines? Have the hives occurred before? Are they reducing with tablet Claritin (Loratadine) and the Steroid? We may have to do a skin prick allergy testing or a comprehensive blood allergy profile, including all the possible alle...  Read Full »

I have severe sunburn and blisters. Should this be treated, or is regular home care enough?

Query: Hello doctor,I was out in the sun one morning, mowing the lawn and weed whacking, and I have developed sunburn and blisters. I am concerned because there seems to be a red ring around the burn site, which does not look the same as the other side, even though both sides received the same amount of su...  Read Full »


Dr. Suvash Sahu

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I have reviewed your query and concerns and examined your picture (attachments removed to protect patient's identity). It appears that you have developed severe sunburn. Sunburn is a clinical reaction caused by the acute effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on the skin...  Read Full »

Why do the new patches look different than my alopecia patches?

Query: Hi doctor, I suffer from alopecia. I have a new patch and it seems to be different from other alopecia patches. What can I do to regain hair growth? Please suggest.   Read Full »


Dr. Nagaraj

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The two pictures look different (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The first one is inflamed and the other one is non-inflamed. It is difficult to conclude anything based on the picture. If you have a history of other immune con...  Read Full »

Should I restart Prednisone for COPD during exacerbation?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been diagnosed with moderate bronchospastic COPD. I am presently two weeks off of a two-week course of Prednisone for an exacerbation (extended period of chest tightness). Would it be okay to restart Prednisone now for a 5 to 7-day burst (no taper) at 20 milligrams per day for a...  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. Yes, you can take a course of steroids for the dosage and duration you mentioned. Tapering is not needed if one is taking steroids for up to two weeks. I suggest you start taking an oral COPD (Chronic obstructive p...  Read Full »

Severe poison ivy rash spread last week. Can Calamine help?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a medical student. I have severe poison ivy contact dermatitis. The rash started on my left arm and has spread over the last week. I have small papules that are all over my body but not on my face or genitals. Through the investigation I have done, I have been able to gather that I...  Read Full »


Dr. Shanza Ikram

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the reaction is in the spreading phase, you need a course of steroids orally. But taking a short course of steroids for only six days does not require tapering. Also, there will not be any rebound effect. I suggest you apply Betamethasone twice daily for 14 days. In ...  Read Full »

I am COVID positive. Can steroids help me in relieving my wheeze and phlegm?

Query: Hi doctor, I am 46-years-old with 200 lbs in weight and 5'6 feet in height. I have been COVID positive for the past four days. I have been asthmatic since the age of three. Now, I have wheezing and phlegm with minimal nose drainage. Wheezing is not easing up with rescue inhalers. But I can do everyd...  Read Full »


Dr. Arpit Varshney

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. No need to worry. This COVID is mild and just like regular flu. It is not causing any severe illness. Secondly, your bronchial asthma is worsening, and you will need low-dose steroids to control it. I suggest the following medications help yo...  Read Full »

I experience lupus butterfly rash and thinning of hair. What to do?

Query: Hello doctor,Last summer, I sat in the sun for a few hours tanning. Nothing to drink and I used two oils on me. My face and chest have been red ever since. After then, I donated my blood and they sent a letter saying about some blood cells. I had my appointment with a rheumatologist and got blood wo...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history and images. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your rash seems still very florid and the alopecia is setting in. I am not sure about the medications you are taking as it does not show up on the phone app, but you need t...  Read Full »

In how many days does the swelling due to nephrotic syndrome in a baby reduce?

Query: Hello doctor, My daughter, 2.8 years old was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. She had swelling in limbs, private part, stomach, and eyes. She also had slight cold during that time, but no running nose or cough. I have attached her reports. From the last one week, we started medicine, post which ...  Read Full »


Dr. Tarek Algamal

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can see clearly that your daughter’s condition is improving (attachment removed to protect patient identity). This is the nephrotic syndrome of minimal change type as usually comes in the children. The reason behind less improvement in the private area and stomac...  Read Full »

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