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Mar 25, 2024 · A skin rash is irritated or swollen skin caused by any reason, such as heat rash or hives. Skin rashes have many causes and vary widely in appearance. For example, they can be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, and/or blistered and may involve itching, pain, color changes, or pus and oozing if infected.
- Overview
- Allergic or sensitivity reactions
- Medications
- Bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Bites, stings, and outdoor rashes
- Cosmetics, cleaning products, and other household exposures
- Home remedies
- Seeing a doctor
- Frequently asked questions
A rash is defined as a widespread eruption of skin lesions. It is a very broad medical term. Rashes can vary widely in appearance. Their causes range from insect bites to HIV and reactions to medications.
A rash can affect one part of the body or cover a large area. Rashes can also be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, or blistered. They can involve pain, itching, and color changes.
Some rashes will clear up on their own, some respond to home remedies, but others might be a sign of something more serious that needs medical attention.
Rashes can happen for many reasons, including skin infections, allergies, and medications. They can also result from bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infections and other diseases.
Allergies and sensitivities to food and other substances can cause skin rashes.
One of the most common causes of rashes — contact dermatitis — occurs when the skin has a reaction to something that it has touched. The skin may become inflamed, and the rash tends to be weepy and oozy.
Common causes include:
•dyes in clothes
•beauty products
•poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and sumac
Certain medications can cause rashes in some people, either as a side effect or an allergic reaction.
Some medications, including certain antibiotics, can also cause photophobia or photosensitivity. This means they make the individual more susceptible to sunlight. The photosensitivity reaction looks similar to a sunburn.
In an allergic reaction, a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the medication as if it were a pathogen. Symptoms vary depending on the individual and the drug but can include:
•a rash, including hives
•itchy skin or eyes
•swelling
Infections that involve bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites can also cause a rash. These rashes will vary depending on the type of infection. For instance, candidiasis, a common fungal infection, causes an itchy rash that generally appears in skin folds.
Anyone who believes they may have an infection should seek medical advice.
The slides below include pictures of 29 types of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral rashes.
These rashes can appear with:
1.fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)
2.impetigo
An autoimmune disease occurs when an individual’s immune system begins to attack healthy tissue. There are many autoimmune diseases. They can cause symptoms throughout the body, including rashes.
In the following slides, find examples of rashes and skin changes that can occur with:
1.a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis
2.sarcoidosis
3.plaque psoriasis
4.inverse psoriasis
Many insects can cause a rash through a bite or sting. Although the reaction will vary depending on the person and the animal, symptoms often include:
•a rash
•redness, purple, or darkening of the skin, depending on the skin tone
•itching
•pain
•swelling at the site of the bite or sting
Chemical burns can occur when a person comes in direct contact with a chemical or its fumes, including some household products. Symptoms vary but can include:
•skin that appears black or dead
•irritation or burning in the affected area
•redness or a darkening of the skin, depending on the skin tone
•numbness and pain
Inhaling the fumes could lead to swelling of the throat, lips, and tongue and difficulty breathing.
Rashes come in many forms and develop for many reasons.
However, some basic measures can speed up recovery and ease some of the discomfort:
•Use mild soap, baby soap, or soap for sensitive skin. Avoid scented soaps.
•Wash in warm water, not hot water.
•Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes.
•Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using moisturizers and emollients.
If a rash occurs with the following features, a person should seek medical advice:
•a sore throat
•pain in joints
•a recent animal or insect bite
•red, purple, or dark streaks near the rash
•tender regions near the rash
How can I identify my rash?
A person may be able to identify the cause of their rash based on the location of the rash or other symptoms they may experience. For example, swelling and breathing problems might indicate an allergy, while a fungal infection such as candidiasis can cause a rash in the skin folds. Factors such as whether the rash is flat or raised, peeling, or painful can help determine the type of rash. However, it is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis if a person develops a rash.
What is causing my skin rash?
There are many different types of rash. Examples of possible causes include: •allergic reaction •reaction to an insect bite or sting •sensitivity to cosmetics, cleaning products, or other chemicals or irritants •side effects of medication •bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infection •autoimmune diseases Treatment for the rash can depend on the cause. A person’s doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and advise on ways to manage symptoms.
Mar 27, 2024 · Fifth disease is a viral illness caused by parvovirus, which can cause a ‘slapped cheek’ rash. (Kardelen Yangn Via Wikipedia) Fifth disease may lead to: symptoms that include headache, fatigue ...
- How can I identify my rash?It's not so easy to identify a rash. Rashes can present as splotches, bumps, or blisters. They can be itchy, scaly, and red, and some may look diff...
- What are the 5 types of rashes?There are many types of rashes, many of which have sub-types. Broadly speaking, rashes can be split into those caused by infection, allergic reacti...
- What is the fastest way to get rid of a rash?There are several home remedies you can try that might help you relieve discomfort from a rash. That said, the treatment and timing of healing depe...
Age, stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampooing, and alcohol-based lotions aggravate this harmless but bothersome condition. Other common causes of a rash include: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) -- Tends to happen in people with allergies or asthma. The rash is generally red, itchy, and scaly.
People also ask
What causes a skin rash?
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Nov 5, 2021 · Rashes are common conditions with a variety of causes. Most rashes are not dangerous, but are rather a mere nuisance. ... The rash affects both the skin and the mucous membranes. Mucous membranes ...
Sep 7, 2021 · It could be a sign that your rash is a severe allergic reaction to a medication or caused by an autoimmune condition called pemphigus vulgaris. 6. You see signs of infection in the rash. Rashes ...
Nov 8, 2022 · Flushing of the face. Redness on the palms of your hands. Excessive sweating on the palms of your hands and/or the soles of your feet. Thin, soft, and sometimes shiny skin. Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, usually leads to skin symptoms like: Mottling or discoloration. Cold hands and feet.
