A couple of notes on Poison Ivy and close relatives:  The reactions to
them are allergies, which means that the first time you are exposed to
the beasties, you will not experience any effects.  However, if you are
like most people, your body will become sensitized to compounds found on
the surface of the plants, and the next run-in will produce nasty
results, which vary in severity and type from person to person.  About
15% of people are naturally immune- they do not form reactions to the
offending compounds (*Question*:  If you are immune to Poison Ivy, will
you be also impervious to Poison Oak and sumac??).   There is a good,
natural remedy for the itchy rash which is the most common reaction:
Impatiens capensis Meerb., known as Jewel-weed, or Touch-me-not (for its
method of spreading its seeds- when a ripe seed-pod is disturbed, as by
a touch, it explodes, sending seeds flying up to 15 feet!)- a beautiful
plant with orange blossoms (edible if boiled in two changes of water,
but a bit tasteless) which grows in very damp places with flowing
water.  Just smoosh some on the rash, and it is reported to be quite
soothing.  It occurs over nearly all the range of the Poison gang, and
is quite common - preferring partial but not deep shade.  Works on
stinging nettle as well!
                                                                                                                -Ross M.