The perks of summer, ah. My husband gets poison ivy BAD, BAD, BAD. He tried an alternative ointment he found on the internet. I will have to ask him what it was. He was so bad one time he had to get a special syrum special delivered to Ohio. That was the worst he got it. He usually has to wind up getting the old steriod treatment BUT he is always the worst case. I have a closet full of ointments I will have to get his opinion on. The best that has worked for my daughter and I (we had it last year) was the Ivy Rest. My husband uses an astringent solution. It is called Domeboro. I believe it is over the counter stuff. I will get the name of the other stuff he got over the internet. Know this, the oil can last years on stuff! I found out even in the late winter/early spring when it looks dormant, is isn't. Make sure your clothes and shoes you came in contact with it are washed REALLY good. As soon as my husband gets home I will ask what else you can do. They do sell what is called "Ivy block" to apply before you expose yourself to the Poison Ivy.  When my daughter got it we just used Dermadyl. It is over the counter, looks like calamine lotion. This is an excellent question because we were told every time you get poison ivy it gets worse. It worries me because if my daughter reacts like my husband we are in trouble! Good luck, I am itching as I am writing this!