update: Â After a 6 day round of prednisone my symptoms didn't improve and have gotten worse since. More and more spreading, in places you don't want to be itching!! Â So, i saw a dermatologist this morning and apparently 6 days was not enough for my case. Â He said i had a rebound effect and symptoms got worse after the short course of prednisone. Â So he put me on a stronger and longer course over 12 days. Â He said by Sunday i should be feeling much better. Â He also said the Roundup will kill the plant but that it takes a year for the oils to be gone from it once it dies. Â Still trying to find someone to remove the stuff. Â I see more and more of it growing in the bushes, under trees, etc. Â Â When renting this house i thought great lots of shade and less neighbor issues since the house is surrounded by woods and only one other house. Â Well my point of view has changed a bit on that now.
 I am thoruoghly education on all things poison ivy, oak and sumac related!  And will keep a diligent eye out for the stuff when hiking in the blue ridge mountains and when we shop for a house in a  year or two.   "Shorter courses of steroids may be followed by severe rebound exacerbations shortly after drug therapy is discontinued"...http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0601/p3408.html 4951