My grandmother told me years ago that the problem with poison ivy is that the sap sticks to your skin so you end up spreading it all over yourself when you're trying to wash it off. Now when I encounter poison ivy, I first use my hands (not a wash cloth) to wipe my skin down with rubbing alcohol to cut the sap. Afterward, I proceed to take a shower using soap and water. As a result, I have not had to use calamine or any of the other remedies because I've never had a breakout.
My grandmother told me years ago that the problem with poison ivy is that the sap sticks to your skin so you end up spreading it all over yourself when you're trying to wash it off. Now when I encounter poison ivy, I first use my hands (not a wash cloth) to wipe my skin down with rubbing alcohol to cut the sap. Afterward, I proceed to take a shower using soap and water. As a result, I have not had to use calamine or any of the other remedies because I've never had a breakout.