What do you do when you have poison ivy?

Answer 1

Be certain to thoroughly wash all affected body parts with cold water and strong detergent soap (never use hot water as it opens up skin pores driving the urushiol resin still deeper inside your skin). Never pop or rupture the blisters. Keep affected areas clean and open to the air, allowing them to dry out. It is not recommended to cover over or bandage the oozing blisters as it may lead to further complications still later on. If an infection develops immediately seek medical care from a trained medical professional.

If the itching becomes so great use benadryl gel, or hot compresses to ease the discomfort.

Answer 2

No, you cannot. The reaction to poison ivy can be very bad, depending on extent and type of exposure. You can have a serious reaction in your lungs, for example, by breathing smoke that has been fueled by poison ivy. If you have played with poison ivy and you think you are immune, you are kidding yourself. Because of the mechanism by which the poison works, the first exposure to poison ivy will not produce any reaction. But beware the second exposure. At that time, you'll know the truth. It is not likely to kill you, but I can assure you the reaction can be ugly to look at and almost unbearably uncomfortable.

Answer 3

no, you aren't supposed to touch it at all.