I've had Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac so many times I end up going to the Doctor's office for steroid shots and tablets as well as special cream. Last time I got it it was down my entire left side at its peak. Not fun and the OTC stuff doesn't work anymore. Granted, I had never seen Tecnu before so it might work, but I'd rather not find out. When we go hiking next time, I'm going to try the IvyX bsmith suggested.

-Jason

Here on the left coast we have Poison Ivy too,along with Poison Oak.Usually growing right beside these 2 rotten devils,one can often find Jewelweed,of which works Real Well (& Free!) at Detoxifying the Urushiol,the poison in poison Ivy/Oak!The Jewelweed flowers(Orange colored) seem to be the most potent part,to be rubbed onto the affected area's,this stuff will stain your skin bright orange,but it works Very Well!There are pure extracts of jewelweed that can be found at health food stores,& Probably online too,Definitely worth looking into!I personally have not been affected by Poison Ivy/Oak(Knock on wood),but I have friends that seem to get it from just being in the vicinity of such.Good Luck!

Milk of Magnesia, apply to the itchy spots.

I used to get poison ivy so bad it would spread to my entire body. As I got older this went away, but poison oak kicks my butt.

Tried tons of stuff. The best was called Ivy Dry, but I don't think they make it anymore. Tried MoM at a friend's suggestion, works well.

Hate that stuff.
I'm like JBmat ... once I get it on one place, it spreads over my entire body. it seems to be carried by some sort of oil that goes with the plant - it doesn't easily just wash off with soap and water. i have not tried Ivy Dry. Basic Calamine lotion wasn't all that helpful, as I recall.

Pete2

It is an over-reaction by your immune system to the oils in the plant.

The healthier your immune system, the worse your reaction can be.

I carry a small bar of soap wherever I go. If I accidently find myself in a poison ivy patch, as quickly as possible I wash my exposed skin where it may have touched the plants. This often nips the reaction in the bud, or at least lessens its severity.

If you can also wash or change your clothing, that helps too.

Remember that the oils of the plant can transfer from your hands and body and clothing to anything else it touches. Then you pick up, say, your axe and the axe handle has oil from when you handled it a couple days before, you can get another rash.

I remember, as a little kid, I was walking around one of my father's job sites with him and asked him, "what's this?" as I preceded to grab a hairy vine of poison ivy hanging off the side of a tree.

My father scooped me up, ran me over to his work truck, poured gasoline all over my hands, and then wiped them off with a rag.

Apparently it worked, because I never got poison ivy. I did get to learn what it is though.

(Another funny memory from that day is my father having to explain to my mother why I smelt like gasoline when she came to pick me up.)

ROFL

I've heard Mugwort works for countering poison oak but never tried it.

Not for a pack really,but Ive had a couple bad poison oaks as a kid....was staying with a friend,got into some.His mom had me take a shower and pour bleach on myself,full strength from top of head to toe,than shower it right off.

That oil was GONE,skin was very dried up too,and best of all,no breakout at all but for a couple teeny dots that didnt even itch.

Tecnu works well for my wife. Our dogs seem to pick up Poison Ivy oils by running through our forest. My wife has given up petting them. She has a really fierce reaction to poison ivy.

I recently ordered the following Jewelweed salve to test http://www.localharvest.org/jewelweed-salve-poison-ivy-relief-lg-5-oz-jar-C10968