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Leaves of Three
Dealing with Poison Ivy
By Kelly D. Burgess
Unfortunately, it's not possible to always avoid the oil completely. The oil can get on the fur of pets and transfer to human skin by petting and holding a cat or dog.
If you do know you've been exposed to the oil, wash well with soap and water, and wash all clothing that may have come into contact as well. Dr. Mancini is skeptical about anecdotal evidence that the urushiol stays on inanimate objects such as gardening tools and clothing for any length of time, but there are other experts who are just as firmly convinced it's true. It's probably better to be safe than sorry. If it's been near poison ivy, wash it.
Dr. Mancini also has high praise for products on the market that prevent the oil from absorbing into the skin, but there are so many factors that influence a reaction – such as humidity, temperature and condition of the skin – that there are no magic weapons.
When you do have poison ivy, it can't be spread from person to person or from one part of your body to another, but it may seem that way because you can keep breaking out over a period of a week or so. This is merely the skin's own timetable for reacting to the irritating oils.
The fact is that this problem that's caused by nature can really only be cured by time. The rash usually runs its course in 14 to 21 days. It may seem like the longest 21 days of your life, but it will eventually go away.
