Please share your knowledge about poison ivy!

[Gail and Bailey]

I need input from all my DK friends about poison ivy!  

My dog does not have it....I do...and I am sick and tired of getting it!  I live in the woods and my passion (besides my doodle) is working outdoors in our yard.  I will start by saying that I always walk Bailey in the street and only allow her to venture into grassy areas,  never into any brush or wooded places.  She is not the carrier.  I steer clear of all areas that could possibly have poison ivy growing.  When I work in the yard I have garden beds and a dry creek area that I have created and that is my focus.....never in the surrounding woods.

Despite all this I have gotten poison ivy three times this summer!  This one is the worst outbreak.

I have researched poison ivy on line and know that I must be coming into contact with the urushiol oil that the plant produces.  Here is where the "facts" get cloudy for me......the outbreak can continue to get worse ("spread") for days and I can't seem to get clear information on why and how.  

I have read that it is a matter of how much oil got on your skin and in what concentration that causes the breakout......the first and worst being where the oil was most concentrated....the "spreading effect" being places where the oil was not as concentrated and takes longer to show.

 I know the oil can be on inanimate objects (garden tools, gloves, doorknobs....) and it can be spread in this manner.

I have read that it is an "old wives tale" that itching and distributing the fluid in the blisters causes it to spread.

I went to the doctor today to get a steroid shot and even she left the room after not touching me or the doorknob!  Leading me to believe I am "contagious" (so to speak). (the nurse gave me the shot.)

Can anyone help me with the facts???   

[Gail and Bailey]

Wow, Kristina....you really have experience with poison ivy!  I asked my Doc about a strong hydrocortisone cream and she shook her head and said there was nothing that would work like the shot .....so I took the shot.  I sure would like to have some cream on hand so I guess I will ask again!  Love the suggestion about the Disposable Tyvek Coverall Suit!!  Now....if I could get the homeowner's association to let me get some goats, I will be set! LOL