Applying anti-itch creams or calamine lotion will help to relieve the painful, stinging itch of poison oak, but will not make it go away faster. Such lotions and creams can be used up to four times daily. TIME is the best healer of poison oak. It can take as long as two weeks for rashes and blisters to dry and clear. Never wash contaminated clothing with other laundry items.
Clothing can carry the poisonous oil for years.
Dry cleaning is the only real way to remove urishiol from cloth. Carefully monitor dogs and cats which run outdoors. They are often guilty of bringing urishiol indoors and spreading it to their owners through basic physical contact. Severe allergic reactions such as a tight throat, abnormal areas of swelling, fever and joint pain require immediate medical attention. Though many are allergic to urishiol, some persons are ultra-sensitive, and may require hospitalization.