Dermatologists recommend applying rubbing alcohol liberally to skin and clothing exposed to poison ivy, followed by a thorough washing with water. This can be done anytime within four hours of exposure. Alcohol is a solvent and draws the toxic oils out of the skin and clothing and prevents or reduces the rash and itching.

Slice one or two lemons and rub them all over your affected areas. It should stop the itching and help clear up the skin.

Chop four cloves of garlic and boil them in 1 cup of water. After the mixture cools, apply it with a clean cloth to the poison ivy areas. Repeat often-but that's the way it is with garlic...repeating often.

Place ice-cold, whole-milk compresses on the affected areas. Once the rash calms down. wash off the milk with cool water. If you don't have whole milk, put ice cubes on your skin.

Take an oatmeal bath to ease the itching and help dry out the eruptions.

Calendula lotion is very good in reducing itching, limiting the spread of the rash and helping the body to heal faster.

Put mashed pieces of tofu directly on the itchy areas, and bind them in place with a cloth or bandage. They should help stop the itching and cool off the poison ivy flare-up.

Don't be a crab, just get one. Cook the whole crab in boiling water, let it cool and then use the water to wash the poison ivy area. Or look inside the crab shell for the green stuff. Apply that green gunk directly on the rash.

Take Zinc, helps to repair skin tissue damaged by poison ivy

If none of these poison ivy remedies work and you're stuck with the itch-its usual duration is about 10 days-then rub on four-leaf clovers, and have a "rash of good luck"!