Son went to urgent care was told rash on legs was bacterial infection. followed up with primary dr was told its poison ivy. how can he tell which diagnosis/meds to follow

Probably poison ivy: did he have fever? if no more likely PI does he have underlying illness such as diabetes? if not more likely PI Is the lesion diffusely red spreading up the leg, tender and blanching with a tender inguinal lymph node? if not more likely PI experience suggests family doctor more likely right thanurgent care. easier to mistake poison ivy for infection than vice versa

Not likely bacterial: To differentiate cellulitis from rhus (poison ivy) : Cellulitis is. Condition that.presents with fever and systemic symptoms and is characterized as an ascending rash, usually on one side. It is unlikely that your son would have risk factors. The rhus dermatitis is a reaction to urushiol (an oil on the plant) that leads to a rash/response on exposed areas and causes fluid filled blisters & rash.

Questionable rash : If the rash has clear blisters, general redness, seems to be getting worse as the days progress - it may be likely poison ivy, especially with a history of exposure. If rash appears more as a cloudy, oozing yellow crusted group of these cloudy pustules it suggests impetigo. Then again the "poison ivy" may be getting bacterial infected. Keep your doctor updated about the rash progression .

Poison ivy: Rash is expected to be happen in an exposed part of the body and tend to be itchy and occurs in a linear fashion. Bacterial skin infection is likely to be tender red and be associated with inguinal lymph nodes. Overlapping features often occur