Back story: When I was a little kid I got poison ivy twice on my face, I haven’t gotten it since but its been due to diligence on avoiding the plant at all costs.

It has evolved to the point where I wash my hands after I touch my shoes, scared of touching any objects in the vicinity if where I think I’ve seen poison ivy, and any objects I could somehow link to being around poison ivy (tools/gardening equipment). 

Most recently, I played a gig with my band and the stage was wet so we placed a wooden board on the stage so our gear wouldn’t get wet. After seeing the wall the wooden board was leaning against I saw vines on it and pretty positive that there was poison ivy. In addition there were people cleaning out gutters after the gig where I also think I saw poison ivy and one of them went and played my guitar (not 100% sure if we touched poison ivy in the gutter or if he even went in the gutter). 

I am now scared to touch my equipment because I think I will get poison ivy and I am not sure how to overcome this fear.

1. Do I just wash everything to eliminate the fear?

2. Do I just use everything as normal and try and prove to myself that I am being overboard

3. Do I purposely touch the gear and not wash off the areas it touches to additionally prove I cant get poison ivy from it.

Any advice would be appreciated.