I've never had poison ivy, but I am very allergic to poison oak. I can get it within 20 minutes of contact. Whenever I get it I have to go to the DR. and get a shot of steroids and oral steroids. I also up the inhalers and only take cold showers. One time I got it so bad that I had to have my sister take me to the ER and when I went in the blisters were so bad that all the nurses came running out in a panic because they thought I had been badly burned. After I told them it was poison oak they started laughing at me and brought everyone else out so they could see. I had to take a month and a half off work till I got rid of all the blisters and swelling.