Everything You Need to Know About Rashes, causes symptoms and preventive mechanisms.
A rash is any area of irritated or swollen skin on your body. Rashes are often itchy and painful and can appear differently on different skin tones. While they are often described as red, on darker skin tones they may be purple, gray, or white. Everything You Need to Know about rashes.
A skin rash is an area of skin that has become swollen, inflamed, or irritated. Skin rashes can include skin bumps that look like pimples or sores; blotchy, scaly or red skin; and itchy or burning skin. Allergens, heat, and certain medical conditions (some more serious than others) can all cause skin reactions like these.
Some skin rashes occur right away, while others take some time to develop. Some tend to occur on the face while others flare up on the arms, legs, or torso. Location, appearance, and color of a skin rash are all factors in determining the right diagnosis and the right treatment.
It’s important to note that the word “rash can mean a whole lot of things to a whole lot of different people,” says Whitney High, MD, the director of dermatopathology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.
“To a dermatologist, rash is an extremely broad term, ranging from connective tissue disease like lupus, to infections, to something very obvious” — for example, after using a new laundry detergent, you notice redness and irritation in your underarms; when you switch back to your old detergent, it goes away.
Some rashes may be relatively harmless and easy enough to take care of at home while others can be more problematic. So how do you know when to see your doctor for medical treatment? Isabela Jones, MD, a dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center in McLean, Virginia, recommends seeking medical attention if any of the following symptoms are also present:
Fever, which “can indicate the presence of an infection, serious reaction to a medication, or rheumatologic disease,” says Dr. Jones.
Blisters or open sores on the skin, mouth, or genitalia. “Some benign rashes, like poison ivy, can cause small blisters in the skin. However, many times blisters and open sores can indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention,” she notes.
A rash that is painful and that is all over the body or spreading rapidly.
A rash that has not improved with home care.
Dr. High notes that if you’re feeling well and the condition is not interfering with your quality of life, it’s fine to try reasonable home remedies, such as hydrocortisone cream. But if the irritation persists, however innocuous it may seem, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor.
“Usually, if a rash has not improved within two weeks of starting home care, seeking medical care would be recommended,” says Jones. “Contacting a dermatologist or primary care provider is never a bad idea if someone is uncertain about how to treat the rash, or is generally worried about the appearance of the rash,” says Jones.
There are many types of rashes, including eczema, granuloma annulare, lichen planus, and pityriasis rosea.
Eczema
Eczema is a general term that describes several different conditions in which skin is inflamed, red, scaly, and itchy. Eczema is a common skin condition, and atopic dermatitis (also called atopic eczema) is one of the most common forms of eczema.
Causes
We don’t know for sure what causes atopic eczema, but the condition often affects people with a family history of allergies. If you have eczema, you may also have hay fever and/or asthma, or have family members with those conditions.
Some things can trigger a flare-up of eczema or make eczema worse, but they don’t cause the condition. Eczema triggers include stress, skin irritants (including soaps, skin care products, or some fabrics), allergens, and climate/environment.
Symptoms
The way eczema looks can vary from person to person. In adults, eczema most often affects the hands, elbows, and “bending” areas like the inside of the elbows and back of your knees. In young children, eczema often shows up inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the face, back of the neck, and scalp. Signs and symptoms of atopic eczema include:
Itchiness
Skin redness
Dry, scaly, or crusted skin that might become thick and leathery from long-term scratching
Formation of small, fluid-filled blisters that might ooze when scratched
Infection of the areas of broken skin
Prevention
There’s no way to prevent atopic eczema, but you can do things to improve your symptoms:
Reduce stress
Avoid scratchy materials (for example, wool) and chemicals such as harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents
Moisturize often
Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
Avoid situations that cause sweating and overheating
Some things can trigger a flare-up of eczema or make eczema worse, but they don’t cause the condition. Eczema triggers include stress, skin irritants (including soaps, skin care products, or some fabrics), allergens, and climate/environment.
Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin condition that consists of a circular-shaped rash with reddish bumps (papules).
Most often, the condition affects children and young adults. Granuloma annulare is slightly more common in girls and usually is seen in people who are otherwise healthy.
We don’t know what causes granuloma annulare.
Symptoms
People who have granuloma annulare usually notice one or more rings of small, firm bumps over the backs of their forearms, hands, or feet. The rash may be mildly itchy.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose you. They might use a skin biopsy to confirm you have granuloma annulare.
Treatment
Treatment of granuloma annulare usually isn’t necessary, except for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, steroid creams or ointments can help the bumps disappear. Some doctors may decide to freeze the lesions with liquid nitrogen or to inject steroids directly into the rings of bumps. Ultraviolet light therapy or oral drugs can be used in serious cases.
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