The rash can last as few as 5 days to as long as 6 weeks, average being two weeks.

If a rash develops, blisters and red, itching skin may be treated with calamine lotion, Epsom salts, or bicarbonate of soda. For mild cases, wet compresses or soaking in cool water may be effective. Hydrocortisone creams and oral antihistamines can help relieve itching. For severe reactions see a doctor.

The oil can remain active on clothing and footwear for as long as a year so be sure to wash clothing very well or throw them away.

Urushiol can stick to pets, garden tools, balls, or anything it comes in contact with. Pets should be bathed and urushiol should be wiped off of inanimate objects with alcohol and water. Be sure to wear gloves or otherwise cover your hands while doing this and then discard hand covering.

Urushiol that's rubbed off plants onto other things can remain potent for years. In a dry environment, potency of urushiol can last for decades even up to 100 years.

An old folk remedy that is effective is rubbing crushed leaves of jewel weed to exposed areas. Jewel weed relieves itching, stops spread and helps to heal poison ivy rash. Jewel weed can sometimes be found growing where poison ivy grows. A tea made from leaves is said to work as a preventative before exposure.

For more information on preventing and curing poison ivy rashes:

http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/poisonivyrash.htm

"Almost every antibiotic causes a disruption of normal bowel flora and a reduction in production of important vitamins, leading to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects."

I have a personal experience where my life was saved through antibiotics, but I certainly experienced these side effects. Fortunately there are quality bowel flora supplements which help provide body with normal levels of intestinal bacteria. This is critical in metabolization of many vitamins, such as Vitamin B family.

Here's what Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook has to say about Estrogen Replacement Therapy.

"Taking Estrogen Replacement Therapy can cause a depletion of important B vitamins, leadingto anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and depression."

Again perhaps you should choose a high-quality multivitamin supplement and also provide nutrients that support normal endocrine function.

The Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook provides a drug index, which alphabetically lists drugs by both brand and generic name, with cross-references and scientific basis, studies and abstracts for research which determined which nutrients are depleted by particular drug. It also lists nutrient information with concise descriptions of effects of depletion. What medications are you taking that are depriving your body of essential nutrients?