Got Oak ?

Before you start itching...what may work to prevent the rash:

With each of these, it is recommended to apply it right away, and use cool water. The main idea is to remove the oil, called urushiol.
1. A product called Technu. When this hasn't worked for me, it is usually when I've only applied it once and possibly did not leave on as long as recommended.

2. Wash with dish soap.
3. Not from my own personal experience... but someone else I talked with swore by rubbing alcohol.
4. I think they recommend Zanfel can be used for this purpose as well.
5. A plant called Mugwort, but, who knows...

After you've got it... what works to alleviate the discomfort??

(Not in any particular order. Based on my 'experimenting' once when I had it bad and widespread.)

1. A product called Zanfel -- it is expensive, worked great the first time but seems less helpful each time I use it.
2. Oatmeal bath -- this was actually very soothing though time-consuming. And it worked on both the mildly itchy parts AND those that were oozing pus. Put oatmeal in an old sock and tie; take a bath with it. You can rub the sock on all your itchy parts and it is soothing yet not too abrasive. Soak for an hour before bed and it will help you sleep!!
3. Calamine Lotion for quick relief but it doesn't last too long, and is unsightly. Not the best for oozy bits, and after awhile, it just builds up.
4. Hydrocortisone, for quick relief. Sometimes it doesn't last too long, some brands seem to work better than others. I had tried some OTC cream and it didn't seem to work well; but a friend gave me a some that he got from his doctor and it relieved me. They were the same strength...?
When it's REALLY bad:
5. (I can't recommend it but others have suggested:) Bleach -- compress for maybe 10 minutes. Pretty harsh, I doubt my doctor would approve, but... it did dry out the oozy bits and make them stop itching.
6. Zanfel + hair dryer worked good on drying out the most oozy bits.

None of these treatments, or lack of treatment, seemed to make the rash clear up sooner.
Although, I have not tried all combinations for comparison: Next time when I have it real bad maybe I will try using a dry-out method on one area and nothing on the other, and we'll see which wins!