Couldn't find any real info about that but it would seem to me that not covering it would let it dry out faster and not itch as much. We don't have have poison ivy here but have poison oak just as bad. Maybe some of the things at this link may help you out. Good luck.
My husband was saying to use alcohol but I was not finding that on any sites but did see one that said peroxide and one said aloe. I have been putting GermX with aloe....just happen to have it on my desk. Certainly does sting a little.
If you have washed the area well with soap and water you are okay to cover it with clothing. It only spreads from scratching and cloths when the oils are still left on the skin. Once you wash it off it isn't going to spread . However it might hold moisture to the skin and actually make it itch more.
Your best bet is to dry it out with some Caladryl or oatmeal cream. Both work quite well. Taking a Benadryl tablet or cream with regular Calamine or oatmeal cream helps too. Clear Caladryl and Calamine clear works okay but not nearly as well.
It get it all the time from brushhogging and brush whacking.
Honestly it's not surprising. Dead poison ivy leaves from the previous season are actually the most potent. If it's any reassurance to ya' about the advice I hold Wilderness and occupational First-aid certifications.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at March 29, 2017 5:00 PM MDT
The amount of oil is highest end of season and is very chemically stable. So the when the old end of season leaves die they have the most oil and it is concentrated down.
Not even supposed put poison ivy and sumac in compost piles because the oils can remain in the compost for very, very long time.. You'll get nasty rashes spreading it and digging into it.
Well... No! You can ( and I do ).. However it's actually dangerous to breath in the smoke from poison ivy, sumac, and oak so be very careful if you do.
The best way to deal with it is spray it with a very strong glyphosate solution as soon as it pops-up in spring and retreat it few weeks later. It's really hardy stuff. Bush and ground type are simple after that if gotten early and small and can pretty much be mowed while small since you got it young before the oils built up. Still you want to be covered and wash cloths and skin right away. When It's vine type crawling on things it's basically a pain the rear and not much options to get rid of the treated vines without getting exposed.
If you got some woods or whatever I would suggest just piling it there and stay away from it.
Back when rocks were cooling, my mother would dab a bit of clorox onto the spot. It relieved the itch and I guess killed whatever nasty bugs the oils were composed of. Stung a little, too.
First, wash with soap and water. Rinse well and wash again before it dries. That usually takes care of it. Spraying vitamin C solution helps, but soap and water will do well enough.
You can cover the area to prevent scratching, my suggestion would be to wash the area well, I've always used dawn dishwashing liquid as it breaks up and removes oil, after that, apply calamine lotion, ivydry, or something along those lines...cover it with something breathable, a non-stick dressing works. Scratching really doesn't spread poison ivy unless the oils remain on that area....dog fur, cat fur, and clothes can very easily carry the oils from the poison ivy plant, and can transfer to you should you touch/pet it!
Benedict Arnold 