If he has it that badly, nothing short of the doctor will get it gone. I had it twice this past summer so badly that my face was swelled to twice its normal size. My eyes were swollen shut and I had it all up and down my arms and legs. I was so miserable, I called the doctor and he put me on Prednisone. More people come into the doctor than you think for poison ivy/oak problems.

Also, you can get poison ivy/oak/sumac in the dead of winter, if the plant is just a dead twig. The oil that causes the rash in humans is present all year long. I suggest getting rid of it IMMEDIATELY, but DO NOT BURN IT. If the smoke is inhaled, it will cause major lung issues. People have been hospitalized and even died for inhaling poison ivy smoke. Get to a hardware/garden store and get special Poison Ivy killing spray. That is your best bet.

Oh, and regular detergent won't do much... The oil clings to fibers. Get Fels-Naptha soap and wash all your laundry in NOTHING but that until his outbreak is completely gone.

And to dry up the outbreak quicker, go to a pharmacy and get extra strength Ivy Dry.

Trust me, after last summer, I am an expert.