Does bleach cure poison ivy?

Bleach does not cure poison ivy, and applying it to the skin can cause tissue damage and delay healing, according to Maryland Primary Care Physicians. Bleach can lead to chemical burns and skin irritation and destroy a person's melatonin, reports Tec Labs.

A better approach is to clean a poison ivy rash with basic soap and water, according to MPCP. A bandage absorbs oozing and may preventing bacteria from contaminating the wound. There are also some commercial cleansers designed to clean the urushiol that causes the reaction, according to Tec Labs. Rubbing alcohol causes some of the same problems as bleach.