Urushiol is the name of the oil that is produced by poison ivy. This oil is also found in poison, oak and poison. Sumac about 85 percent of americans are allergic to this oil, and they will likely have some sort of reaction to it.

This oil is persistent and can still cause a reaction if you get it on your clothing and then touch that clothing later on the first step in treating a brush with poison ivy is to wash the affected area with soap, and warm water to get rid of the oil clothing should be washed too calamine lotion will help with itching and an antihistamine is good for coping with the symptoms at night and allowing you to sleep.