We have had poison ivy all over our property for years and I don't expect to ever eradicate it because it is all around ornamentals that I don't plan to destroy. Although I usually have a little spot or two on me all summer, I can also usually avoid major outbreaks by following these rules;
1) BE AWARE. The worst outbreaks happen when you are oblivious and get into the stuff without knowing it. When that happens you don't have a chance to follow the rest of the rules. You need to know what poison ivy and his friends look like, and when you see it, show it some respect! You're just a puny human and that nasty SOB can knock you out!
2) STAY COVERED. Wear long sleeves, wear long pants, wear socks and shoes that cover your ankles, wear gloves, and wear a hat. I even wear a bandana around my neck. The only skin showing should be what is absolutely necessary to see and to breathe (hearing is optional). If it is too hot to have that much on, give it up and come back later when it is cooler.
3) WASH FREQUENTLY. Even when covered up, I go inside at least once every 30-minutes and wash thoroughly (don't touch the door knob with those gloves!). I wash my hands and arms and head/neck with lots of cold water and soap. The hot water treatment is good after you have the rash, but a thorough cold water flushing is what will prevent the oils from causing the rash in the first place. And REALLY wash your hands before going to the bathroom (especially if you are male). I still remember one disastrous summer when I was about 15.
4) RESPECT SECONDARY SOURCES. Remember that it isn't just those "leaves-of-three" that are a problem. Those hairy vines are a serious threat too. Try not to pick up any cuttings (including "dead" cuttings) even if your are covered up because the oil will get on your gloves and sleeves and tools and then later on (perhaps in a week or two) transfer back onto your skin when you least expect it. I always dump the cuttings by using my shears like long-handle tongs, pick up the vine by pinching it with the blade and walk the stuff over to the dumpsite piece by piece at arms-length. I may look like I'm disposing of an unstable WMD, but I rarely get "bitten" this way. And when you are done for the day and take off your garden clothes, assume that they are contaminated too. You might want to dump those clothes directly into the washing machine just before hitting the shower, not afterward. My wife (who never works in the garden, ever) just got a really bad case and we think that transferring my clothes to the washer was the source. Guess who is doing laundry for the rest of the summer!
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