By Medicover Hospitals / 20 Feb 2022
What are Rashes?
A temporary outbreak of red, bumpy, scaly, or itchy patches of skin, possibly with blisters or marks. Rashes can have causes that are not due to an underlying disease. Examples include hot weather, excessive exposure to the sun, or clothing that does not fit.
Rashes are abnormal changes in skin colour and texture. This results from the skin inflammation and has many causes. It can occur in a small part of the body or can also cover the large area in a body. These are found in various forms and some of the common causes include contact dermatitis, infections, and allergic reactions by the use of any medications.
Rashes have affected millions of people around the world and most of the rashes don’t need any particular treatment as this will clear up on their own. Some of them can be treated at home and the rashes which are serious should be shown to the Doctor.
An area of irritated and swollen skin can be called Rash. Many of the rashes are itchy, red, painful and irritating. Some of the rashes can lead to blisters and patches of raw skin.
Different types of rashes
| 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 |
Causes
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.
Causes of 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.
Rash Signs
Some of the rashes signs that are seen in many people are:
- Blister Formation
- Scaling
- Skin Ulceration
- Skin discolouration
- Itching
- Bumps on skin
Diagnosis
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
Follow 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
COVID-19 rashes
Nowadays skin rashes are associated with COVID-19 infections. The most common form of COVID-19 rashes is “maculopapular rash.” This has both flat discolourations and elevated lesions. Other rashes that are related to COVID-19 include the thickened lesions which develop in heels of the feet.
When to see a Doctor?
If you are not able to cure rash with home treatment call your Doctor or if you’re facing any major symptoms like vomiting and body ache you can visit the doctor immediately.
Visit the hospital immediately if you have the following symptoms:
- Increase in body pain
- Discoloration in the rash area
- Tightness in throat
- Shortness in breathing
- Swelling of face
- Dizziness
- Headache and neck pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Any animal or tick bite
Facts
- Rash is an inflammation or discolouration in the body part. It’s not a specific diagnosis.
- Some common rashes include COVID-19 eczema, poison ivy and hives.
- Infections that cause rash are fungal, bacterial and viral.
Home Remedies
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).
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to treat skin rash?
Rashes are abnormal changes in skin colour and texture. This results from skin inflammation and which have many causes.
2. What is skin rash?
Rashes are abnormal changes in skin colour and texture. This results from skin inflammation and which have many causes.
3. How do you identify a rash?
Rashes can be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked and blistered. This can be painful, itchy and can change the colour.
4. What causes a Rash?
Rash can be caused due to contact dermatitis, infections and allergic reactions.
5. How do you cure rashes?
Rash can be caused due to contact dermatitis, infections and allergic reactions.
6. What causes a sudden rash on the body?
Rashes can be caused due to many diseases like chickenpox, measles, infection and other allergic reactions.
