one thing that seems to help some at least is to take an antihistamine before you go out... even a weak one like claritan helps some

DO NOT BURN POISION IVY OR OAK!

Absolutely do not burn it even if you have the slightest reaction to either. Some of the oil will go airborne with the heat and can enter your lungs and can cause death. Poison ivy and oak is somewhat easy to kill with any herbicide that has dicamba, 2,4-d, and MCPP in it, which is a broadleaf weed herbicide. I own a chemical lawn maintenance company and am licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture to use "restricted use" pesticides, which you have to have a license to buy. The broadleaf weed killers you can buy from Home Depot will do the trick. Mix according to the label and spray twice on 7 day intervals and it will knock it out about 80% to 95% of it. Some of the roots may survive and you may have to hit it again the next year if it comes back up. But if you stay on top of it, you can get rid of it.

here is a pretty good link to info on how to identify it and so forth: http://www.poison-ivy.org/

I get little tiny spots of it now and then.

I get cut by saw briars more than anything.

One piece of advice. Here, even in winter, on a day that is sunny and warming. COPPERHEADS!! I see and kill lots of them. BE especially aware of brush that has been washed into a pile by run off. They will sit and warm themselves on top of the pile. I've been standing down by the water with ledges to my back and turned to have them right in my face. I'll take a little Poison Ivy over than anyday. Didn't intend to hijack.

Years ago my mother in-law got it from smoke from burning it while clearing land. She had it inside her nose and ears and pretty much all over her body. Obviously they did not realize they were burning poison ivey. It took her forever to get rid of it - very nasty experience. I guess she is fortunate it wasn't even worse.

Mike I have seldom seen snakes out there. I heed the warnings from you and others but I either miss them or fish in areas where they are not that prolific. I have seen them on the tops of brush piles that are out in the water but only once or twice on land. I will continue to watch for them.

James are you supposed to drink the vodka or apply it to the infected areas or both?