Quote Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

I spent hours weeding the gardens back in Ohio & I got poison ivy.
I've never had it before ...

What really works? Any suggestions?

How long is it spreadable? Answer: For YEARS if not removed by soap!
RUN, do not walk - to your closest BIG grocery store ...
get a couple bars of:

Fels-Naptha® Laundry Soap (Bar) -the golden bar with the clean naptha odor.
Excellent for pre-treating greasy, oily stains.

Poison ivy resin can remain on your clothes for over 1 year. Washing with Fels-Naptha® will eliminate the dangerous resin from your clothing. Thoroughly wash all of your exposed clothing including hats, gloves, coats and pants in shaved or grated Fels-Naptha (about 1/16th of the bar). This will effectively remove the poison ivy resin and prevent further outbreak.

Dial Corp / Fels-Naptha web page >>>
http://www.dialcorp.com/index.cfm?page_id=47

Don't know why they don't mention what many Doctors and Pharmacists suggest >>>

WASH YOURSELF with the Fels-Naptha - warmish water; don't really *RUB* too hard,
but some pressure is required and feels VERY soothing! Use a thick, sudsy, lather.

Wash thoroughly, with a wide margin around where you "think" the Poison Ivy is,
plus hands and under fingernails. Dry by BLOTTING with paper towels;
then TOSS the p-towels!
Got it on your wrist? WASH with Fels-Naptha from your finner-tips to your shoulder.

Wash OFTEN - as soon as the *itch* becomes noticable - Lather Up in Fels-Naptha again.

Anti-itch goo of your choice --- they all help for a minute or two!
Best help will come from a Wally-Mart type Pharmacist - they'll usually suggest
the GENERIC stuff and be prety honest about what works and what doesn't.

If the rash continues to spread - you left something UN-washed!
* Car steering wheel
* Car armrest
* An article of clothing
* Shoes
* A DAWG!! - TRUST ME - ole Fido is an EXCELLENT Carrier of Poison Ivy!!
* They get it on their FUR and and spread if forEVER till it's washed off!

Wear LONG-sleeved, long-legged Jammies --- to avoid spreading it like a wildfire
whilst your sleeping! (A THOROUGH shower with Fels-Naptha soap helps before bedtime.)

Happie Itchin!!