poison ivy is a plant well known for causing severe inflammation of the skin also known as contact dermatitisthe plant contains a sap which causes instant irritation if it comes in contact with the skinash your skin if you ve come in contact with poison ivy immediately rinse your skin with water use soap and then rinse thoroughly use a skin cream containing bentoquatam before going outdoors to an area with poison ivy you can always apply an over the counter barrier cream containing bentoquatam