Community » Get Advice » Exercise and Fitness » Encountered Poison Ivy while working in yard

I worked like a Trojan in my yard today and happened to see a Poison Ivy leaf in the stuff I had scooped up in my arms for the curb!!! Yipes---I really catch this stuff in the worst way... I heard it is a virus--unsure

It produces urushiol, a clear liquid compound found within the sap of the plant that causes an itching, or sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. not a virus.
Dose yourself with deodorant. the active ingredient in deodorants, aluminum chlorohydrate, can prevent urishiol from irritating the skin. Just be careful not to spray any on your face.
Don't be Touchy. You can spread urushiol-containing oils from one area of your body to others if you touch the contaminated area and get oils on your hands. It is also possible to acquire poison ivy, oak, or sumac by touching the fur of your pet, if the animal has contacted these plants.
Give yourself, clothing and tools a good wash — quickly
First the bad news: Since urushiol oil can remain potent for up to five years, you can get a reaction from touching tools or clothing that were used to dig up poison ivy years earlier. The good news: If you wash yourself and those items in soapy water within 10 minutes of contact, you can help to minimize the rash.
To remove the plant oil, it is best to first use a solvent that can separate the oil from your skin surface. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is very effective. After wiping your skin with rubbing alcohol, you should rinse thoroughly with water. If you do not have a solvent available, it is still helpful to rinse thoroughly in water as quickly as possible after your contact with the plant.