What Are Rashes?
Rashes are changes in the texture or color of the skin that often result in redness, inflammation, itching, or irritation. They can appear as small bumps, welts, blisters, or patches on the skin and may be localised to a specific area or spread across larger areas of the body.
What are the different types of rashes?
| Types | Causes |
|---|---|
| Flea bites | Seen in lower legs and feet. -Itchy and red bump |
| Fifth Diseases | Headache, fatigue, fever, sore throat and runny nose -Round, bright red rash on cheeks |
| Rosacea | Chronic skin disease -Triggered by spicy foods and alcoholic beverages -Red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness and skin sensitivit |
| Impetigo | Found in babies and children -Can be found in mouth, chin and nose -Irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters |
| Contact dermatitis | Skin becomes itchy, red, scaly and raw |
| Allergic eczema | Resemble a burn -Found in hands and forearms |
| Hand, food and mouth disease | Painful red blisters in the mouth |
| Diaper Rash | Skin looks red, wet and irritated |
| Ringworm | Circular shaped scaly rashes -Itchy |
| Eczema | Yellow or white scaly patches -Red, itchy, greasy and oily |
| Psoriasis | Scaly, silver and sharply skin patches -Itchy and asymptomatic |
| Chickenpox | Clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters -Fever, body aches and sore throat |
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the causes of rashes?
Rashes can be itchy, red and inflamed. Some of the possible causes are:
- Beauty products, soap and laundry detergent
- Dyes in clothing
- Contact with chemicals in rubber, elastic and latex
- If a person gets in touch with poisonous plants like oak, ivy and sumac
Medications
Taking some of the medications can also cause rashes. This can be from:
- Allergic reaction to any medication
- Any side effect of medication
- Photosensitivity to any medication
Other Causes
Other possible causes of rashes:
- Bug bite causes rashes
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis(It's a kind of rash which occurs in people who have asthma or allergies)
- Psoriasis (it's a common skin disease) can cause a scaly, itchy and red rash on your skin.
What causes rashes in children?
Children are particularly prone to rashes which will develop the illness. This includes:
- Chicken Pox: It is a virus which is characterized by red, itchy blisters and it is formed all over the body.
- Measles: It is a viral respiratory infection which causes rashes and red bumps
- Scarlet Fever: It is an infection which is caused due to Group A Streptococcus bacteria and it produces a toxin which causes red sandpaper-like rash
- Kawasaki Disease: It is a rare serious illness which triggers a rash and fever at an early stage and this can lead to aneurysm of the coronary artery.
- Impetigo: It's a contagious bacterial infection which will cause an itchy and crusty rash on face, neck and hands.
Common Causes:
- Allergies
- Diseases
- Reactions
- Medications
Rashes can also be caused due to bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections.
What are the Symptoms of rashes?
- Redness or discoloration of the skin
- Itching or burning sensation
- Swelling or inflammation
- Bumps, blisters, or pimples on the skin
- Dry, scaly, or cracked skin
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area
- A rash may be localised or spread over a larger area of the body
- Presence of pus or discharge in severe cases
- Fever or other systemic symptoms if the rash is associated with an underlying infection or illness
Some of the rashes signs that are seen in many people are:
- Blister Formation
- Scaling
- Skin Ulceration
- Skin discolouration
- Itching
- Bumps on skin
How are rashes diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask you several questions about your symptoms, such as:
- How long have you had the irritation?
- Does it come and go?
- Have you been in contact with any irritating substance?
- Do you have an allergy?
- Where is the itching most severe?
- What medications are you taking?
You may need further testing if your healthcare provider cannot determine the cause of your itching from your answers and a physical exam. The tests include:
- Blood test - may indicate an underlying condition
- Test your thyroid function - can rule out thyroid problems
- Skin test - to determine if you have an allergic reaction to something
- Skin scraping or biopsy - can determine if you have an infection
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Book an AppointmentFollow up these guidelines for a speedy recovery
The underlying medical causes require specific treatments. In most other cases, simple lifestyle changes can usually improve the length and quality of a person's sleep.
- Use mild, gentle cleansers
- Use warm water for washing your skin or hair
- Pat the rash dry
- Avoid the usage of any new cosmetics which may trigger the rash
- Use unscented moisturizing lotion in the area which is affected by eczema
- Don't scratch the rash it can cause infection
When to see a Doctor?
If you are not able to cure the rash with home treatment, call your Doctor. If you're facing any major symptoms, like vomiting and body aches, you can visit the doctor immediately.
Visit the hospital immediately if you have the following symptoms:
What are some home remedies for rashes?
Rashes come in many forms and grow for many reasons. However, some basic measures can speed recovery and alleviate some discomfort.
- Use mild, unscented soap. These soaps are sometimes advertised for sensitive skin or baby skin.
- Avoid washing with hot water, opt for lukewarm.
- Try to allow the rash to breathe. Do not cover it with a plaster or bandage.
- Don't rub the rash to dry it, pat it.
- If the rash is dry, for example, in eczema, use unscented moisturizers.
- Do not use cosmetics or lotions that can cause the rash, for example, newly purchased items.
- Avoid scratching to reduce the hazard of infection.
- Cortisone creams that you can buy without a prescription or online can relieve itching.
- Calamine can alleviate some rashes (poison ivy, chickenpox, and poison oak).
