Poison Ivy - Dallas, TX

I would think that the oil from the poison ivy can not stay viable on the skin for that long. especially after showers etc. Are you sure that he is not constantly coming into contact with something that is still covered with the oil and thereby coming in contact with him? Something he might not realize, like a baseball cap that has not been washed in a while. Or a cat or a dog.
My son had poison oak on his face and neck, ONLY, nowhere else. I couldn't get the rash to heal. We finally went to the doctor for antibiotics and steroids. It finally went away. We think it was the cat. His cat. He rubs and nuzzles that cat daily, multiple times a day. Gave the cat a bath. Never had anymore.
I would think that if something keeps coming back and he is not reinfecting himself with the poison ivy, then the "something" is likely from a different source. The areas that had the ivy rash maybe more vulnerable to the other parts of skin, since the integrity was breached by poison ivy. But because it was irritated, it might be a secondary bacterial infection that is just lingering in a susceptible spot. The infection may look to get better with ivy treatment, but doesn't completely heal because the ivy treatment is not the treatment for an infection. Or it could be eczema also, not poison ivy. Some other types of skin conditions look like poison ivy.
I would go to a dermatologist for some advice and consultation. In the meantime, I would use some OTC hydrocortisone cream or oint, and some antibacterial ointment. The bleach solution would work, but honestly I would dilute it first. It is pretty caustic to the skin, especially broken skin. And it will burn, and cause irritation because it is a chemical. But truthfully, sterile bleach solution is used as wound care treatments. It is called Dakins Solution, basically diluted bleach, sterile. We(as in medical personnel) use it on stubborn infections by soaking the gauze in the solution and packing the wound with it. But I wouldn't use the clorox full strength.
Dematologist if all else fails.
Good luck,
L.

Do you mean the reaction to exposure to it or getting rid of the weed itself?

If he has not been able to rid his system of poison ivy, he should consider the advise of a physician who might prescribe antibiotics....but I'm not a doctor.

I don't think poison ivy comes and goes like that. He is getting into it somewhere. Maybe hidden in your yard? It could be poison oak or sumac. Is he outdoors regularly? My son gets it at least once a year. We have to go for a dose of prednisone every time. Over the counter creams don't cut it. Good luck. You may want to look up all of those poisonous plants just to make sure he is not touching something accidentally.

My father is highly allergic to poison ivy and the only thing that cures it for him is prescriptions (once the chemicals enter the bloodstream, it can linger there indefinitely and reappear over and over again). He should definitely see a doctor.

I got a bad case last year and went to the hospital with a infection in my leg from it! My brother who seems to get this quite often had told me to put bleach on it but I didn't listen until after I spent money in the emergency room. I took his advice, poured straight bleach on my leg, let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed off. After two treatments (one each day) there was no more itching and everything healed up. I'm not saying don't go to the doctor but it's worth a try. I wish him the best that stuff is horrible!

GO TO THE DR.
If he has been fight this for a year it might be something else. Or he keeps on getting into Poison Ivy.
I would go to the Dr.