In the beginning of summer, health magazines, newspapers, and women's magazines publish articles warning people about poison ivy. It is a common belief that one can only get poison ivy in the summer. However, this is not true. It can happen in any season. The plants are also hazardous in the winter after they have dropped their leaves.

And you do not even have to come in contact with the plant. It is the oil from the plant that causes the misery and this can be spread by pets, contaminated clothing or smoke from burning Rhus plants. However, contrary to popular belief, poison ivy is not contagious. Once the plant oil has been absorbed by the skin or removed from the skin, it can't be spread.

However, to cause a rash, the oil has to remain on your skin about six hours. If you can remove the plant oil before that time, you may not get a reaction.

If you suspect that you have been exposed, first wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. Next, rub the area gently but completely with a washcloth soaked in alcohol. Finally, cleanse your skin with soap and water. It is important that you repeat the cleansing process three times to be sure of removing all the oil and preventing a rash.

And if you already have a rash, you should still do the three part cleansing process. If the rash has spread over your body, try a bath with a cup of oatmeal or Aveeno mixed into a tub full of water.

If you want to get a good night's sleep without having to wake up to apply anti-itching cream, take a hot shower or a hot bath. The itching is caused by histamine in the skin cells. A hot bath or hot shower, with the heat gradually increased to the maximum you can tolerate will release the histamine although the itching will be much more intense while this is happening. But continue the shower until the itching subsides. This will provide you with about eight hours of relief, enough for an itch free sleep.

Try not to scratch the affected area as this can cause a bacterial infection which will delay healing.

Using over the counter hydrocortisone creams will relieve the inflammation and itching however this doesn't happen immediately. It is also necessary to apply the creams four to six times a day. While calamine lotion can help in early stages, it may also spread the plant oil. Antihistamines and pain relievers are useful as well.

Sometimes the lesions are too extensive or the itching is too severe to be tolerated. And sometimes home treatment is ineffective. In this case a person will need to seek professional help.

The doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream stronger than hydrocortisone to be used four to six times a day. In very severe cases, steroids, such as prednisone may be administered orally.

The best treatment is, as always, prevention. Avoid exposure to the risk if at all possible.