Seriously, folks, the last time I had a literal brush with Poison Oak, my
physician placed me on a diet of steroids for three weeks to help retaliate
against the devastating consequences of my own inferior ability (AKA,
stupidity) to spot with efficiency the distinctive shape of the P. Oak leaves
while roaming about the back country in search of fossil plant localities in
the western foothills of California's Sierra Nevada. The itch generated by P.
Oak feels like it is penetrating clear through to the bone--in my specific
case, you can't knock it down without prescription steroids. But, of course,
that maddening "itch" is only the beginning of the hideous torment. The
distinctive P. Oak rash rapidly produces the kind of pain and inflammation of
the epidermis that is commonly associated with a second-degree burn--similar
to
the suffering generated when caustic, undiluted acid is tossed upon exposed
skin. This is not good.
Seems like you would be a good candidate for desensitization shots!
In Grad school I was working on Dutch Elm Disease & everywhere there are
elms there is poison ivy--I like you would look at a bush of P. i. &
would almost instantly erupt in blisters--my eye's would swell closed.

My major professor got tired of me off work with the condition so he
payed for the shots--during one winter. Even today I can handle P.i.
with my hands with no outbreak--sure if I rub it up & down my arm I do
get a rash but nothing like before the shots.

Look into it. You may like it!

Good luck Mike