This is hard for me to write but I think zanfel is actually working for you. Please read the zanfel site for why. Of course being out $84.00 is not fair either. No one should pay for zanfel with the expectation that it will solve a systemic reaction. I don't think you had a chance to read the above zanfel URL prior to purchase. I'll try to point out Zanfel's strength and weaknesses so others won't feel disappointed as you did and this can be prevented for others.

• You have a systemic reaction if its on 75% of your body. In fact, zanfel lists this percentage much much lower. Your advice is dead on about seeking medical advice and getting steroids. As you probably have read from the Zanfel site by now they also recommend this.
• Your itching has stopped. I know that is one way I noticed it worked for me. Perhaps zanfel didn't cause this or it never really itched that bad... but many people reported that even with the steroids... there is a lag of a few days until you get some itching relief. Please see: the experiences with steroids section to see what others have been prescribed along with Methylprednisolone to reduce the itch.
• Your oozing is reduced. That is a very good sign! You are on your way to recovering.

If you have that intense itching, I can not sleep type of poison ivy rash. Zanfel is great.

If you have the ugly rash that burns or isn't that itchy. Save your money. You don't need zanfel and you might not even have a poison ivy rash but a weed rash for example. It probably wouldn't help for a few mins of relief anyway. I am in the process of building a rash page that describes the different types of rashes with links to reference literature. I can tell you that if we had a nickel for every time a rash was misdiagnosed as a poison ivy rash we would all be rich. It just isn't that well understood!

Thanks for your comments. I think we have warned people not to buy zanfel with the expectation of solving a systemic rash. Go see your doctor... Skip the OTC and save the money. Well said Joe.