You also should wash clothes that have touched the oil because they can cause a rash for many months. The rash becomes more severe for up to five days and then starts to clear, but if you have several spots or you continue to touch objects that have the oil, you can continue to break out for months. Since poison ivy is caused by your own immunity trying to kill your own skin, the only effective treatments are those that shut down your immunity. Antihistamines are ineffective. The standard treatment is cortisone type injections or pills, but some doctors do not prescribe them because they are afraid of a rare and unusual complication in which the hip joint is damaged.
Frequent bathing helps to prevent infection.
I'm Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Fitness. Dr. Mirkin's opinions and the references cited are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.