Only contagious if you transfer the urishiol oil. The urishiol oil is in the sap of the plants. Once the infected skin has been cleansed of the oil, it cannot be spread. The reaction may delay or be in stages: This makes people believe that it is contagious.
Do be cautious though of anything that could carry the oil from the plant to you...like your dog, tools, clothes, ect.
As soon as anyone or anything touches poison ivy, clean it with water/bleach/mineral spirits/alcohol...whatever you can get that will break down oil. Don't spread it around. Rinse often and use clean cloths wiping in one direction.
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