Dear Taffy: Katherine Dettwyler has already summarized poison ivy very accurately. She is correct that once you have removed all the resin from your body and your clothes (if you have a dog that wanders outdoors, make sure he/she also gets a good bath), there is no way you can give poison ivy to anyone. It's not in your body, so you can't transmit any toxin through your milk. It's not in the fluid that seeps out of the sores, since that's just your body's reaction to it (a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, that's why it can take days to show up). As for your own treatment, I don't know about calamine lotion's effects if swallowed by your baby. There are other soothing things you can do for your itching, such as colloidal oatmeal baths. Some people have such an extensive reaction that they need to take oral steroids, such as prednisone. If your rash is extensive and not clearing, you may need to get a prescription. This is compatible with breastfeeding. Feel better soon, Alicia. [log in to unmask]