You want to dry the welts out asap. Caladryl (topical mix of calamine and Benadryl) is about as good as it gets for drying and some temporary relief.

I'll try that next.

"it's gonna take an ocean of calamine lotion". Also, try an Aveeno Oatmeal bath..it's great for chicken pox and/or poison ivy. Oatmeal baths have been used for centuries to treat Poison Ivy, etc....

I also like to make a paste of baking soda, apply topically, let it dry. It shrinks and pulls toxins from the skin.

He said to take live poison ivy leaves and put them in vodka. Let that steep for a few days, remove the leaves, and drink the vodka. He said this brought immunity.

I don't know. I never tried it. He was a bit of an herbalist and had worked around plants all his life, so maybe there was something to it.

Works for me every time. I hope it will for you if you decide to try it. Walmart carries it. Probably lots of other places do too. It's an ol' timey remedy.

Apply very, very hot water. It will itch intensely, then subside after a few minutes. It gives me relief for at least an hour or two, sometimes more. I'd do that before bedtime and it was enough relief to let me fall asleep.

I don't recommend this as it fights aggressively. I mixed Human Food Grade DE with an ointment and rubbed it in. The itching stopped, but I still had those burn marks for several weeks. Next time I will powder on the DE and see it that works better. I needed the ointment as I still had a lot of outdoor chores back then and I wanted it to adhere.

ChatGPT:

An Epsom salt bath can help soothe poison ivy itch by reducing inflammation and drawing out toxins. Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which may help ease itching and discomfort. However, for severe reactions, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment options. Yes, a cortisone (corticosteroid) shot can help ease the symptoms of a poison oak rash. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response, which can relieve itching, swelling, and redness associated with the rash. However, it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.

Black Tea Bath:
A black tea bath may help ease the itching from poison ivy. Black tea contains tannins, which can have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that might soothe irritated skin. To use it, steep several tea bags in hot water, let the solution cool, and then add it to your bath. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for comprehensive treatment options and to ensure that the remedy is appropriate for your situation.
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Am allergic to Poison Oak. Had been hospitalized for it during my childhood. Had it as an adult as well. Got a $50 Cortisone shot in Santa Cruz, and the rash went away. Had an immediate positive response.

I get the latter at the drug store, used to be Rite-Aid brand anti-itch meds.

Tech-Nu i hear makes a topical salve. I have tried their apres-exposure wash, which works.

I am also photosensitive which in my case means a poison ivy type rash if I an exposed to the sun. Again cool compresses seems to help.
And they are easy and inexpensive. Good luck.

and then if you want, cover it up a little so it won't peel too easily. Calamine lotion works pretty good too in stopping the itch.

Also, when I would get, when I was young, I often times went fishing to a spring, and found that standing in the cold spring water helps w/ the itching too. I guess it numbs it and also, draws out the toxins.

Before: know your poison ivy (poison oak on the west coast, I got them both). You get good after a while recognizing the leaves. Red in spring. Spray. Weed killer or strong vinegar.

During: While out, use Dawn to dissolve the oil on the spot. CA firefighters use it. Back at home, use Tecnu, which is deodorized mineral spirits. It frickin works. I went to get some mineral spirits for paint brushes, and it's deodorized these days. Maybe too many people getting high or sick.

You have maybe a day, but right away is best.

After: hydrocortisone. OTC or prescription strength. I got clobbered on my first brush clearing expedition, so I got prednisone from the ER doc.

If you get welts, they are just your fluids, not poison, so they are not contagious. Just horrible. Lots of gauze.

Some say tincture of green soap, whatever that is, but hydrocort works. Period.

Become an expert or hire one. Goats eat the ivy.

Allow me to add, topical Benedryl®. If you can’t find it, get oral Benedryl® or some other oral antihistamine.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-identify-poison-ivy

For what it’s worth, my grandmother taught me this rhyme:

Leaflets three, let it be.
Berries white, poisonous sight.