Really guys, especially jclark, I've tried every, EVERY thing for poison ivy. Bleach, paint thinner, caladryl, calamine, nail polish, aloe vera..... I've researched it in GREAT DETAIL!
1) As soon as you come in from possible exposure use this product called 'tecnu', they have it at Walmart down here (it is expensive though), it removes the urisol which is the protein compound on the leaves and stems that irritates the skin. This usually works for me, I don't get *much* of a rash if I follow this regimin.
2) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) will help with the itching, taken orally it works system wide, it is a histamine blocker. Also you might try the benadryl cream or hydrocortisone cream 1% is the highest you can get OTC.
3) If you get it real bad, I'd estimate greater than 3% body coverage, IE:both legs up to the knees. (Sorry jclark, your weiner only counts 1%, no matter how big it is....) Or if you get it in your eyes. I'd goto the doctor and ask if you could get some injections of steroids. Oral steroids are 'ok', but the injections work NOW.
Another way to get rid of the urisol is to denature the protein. This can be done in a variety of ways, the easiest, albeit not the least painful is to cover the are in near-boiling water. Again jclark, I wouldn't suggest this to you. I've done it once, I had it on my hands and lower arms. Filled a great big pot, like 10 or 12 gallons and heated it on the stove. Don't forget to leave some room for the water rise for the displacement of the part submerged. I heated it till it was simmering. I removed it from the stove then stuck my one hand and arm in. I was able to keep it in for about 1.5 seconds. It was quite painful. I alternated arms about 5 times. My arms were burnt, not bad. It hurt a bit afterwards. But, the poison ivy went away.
I'm just telling you what has worked for me. You maybe more allergic than I am (though I doubt it) You might be allergic to Benadryl or hydrocortisone. Always see a doctor.
1) As soon as you come in from possible exposure use this product called 'tecnu', they have it at Walmart down here (it is expensive though), it removes the urisol which is the protein compound on the leaves and stems that irritates the skin. This usually works for me, I don't get *much* of a rash if I follow this regimin.
2) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) will help with the itching, taken orally it works system wide, it is a histamine blocker. Also you might try the benadryl cream or hydrocortisone cream 1% is the highest you can get OTC.
3) If you get it real bad, I'd estimate greater than 3% body coverage, IE:both legs up to the knees. (Sorry jclark, your weiner only counts 1%, no matter how big it is....) Or if you get it in your eyes. I'd goto the doctor and ask if you could get some injections of steroids. Oral steroids are 'ok', but the injections work NOW.
Another way to get rid of the urisol is to denature the protein. This can be done in a variety of ways, the easiest, albeit not the least painful is to cover the are in near-boiling water. Again jclark, I wouldn't suggest this to you. I've done it once, I had it on my hands and lower arms. Filled a great big pot, like 10 or 12 gallons and heated it on the stove. Don't forget to leave some room for the water rise for the displacement of the part submerged. I heated it till it was simmering. I removed it from the stove then stuck my one hand and arm in. I was able to keep it in for about 1.5 seconds. It was quite painful. I alternated arms about 5 times. My arms were burnt, not bad. It hurt a bit afterwards. But, the poison ivy went away.
I'm just telling you what has worked for me. You maybe more allergic than I am (though I doubt it) You might be allergic to Benadryl or hydrocortisone. Always see a doctor.
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Good luck with all that. I hate P/I. My worst case covered both my arms and part of my legs. 
I'm gonna go insane!
