Skin redness, including burns, allergic reaction, infections, and other health problems, may have several causes. Certain causes are more serious than others and may require medical treatment. Skin redness is not always a big problem, and sometimes the problem goes away on its own or with simple measures at home.
What is Skin Redness?
There are plenty of things that can cause the skin to turn red or irritated, from sunburn to an allergic reaction. It may be because extra blood rushes to the surface of the skin to fight irritants and promote healing. Your skin may also become red from exertion, such as after a strenuous exercise session. It's not necessarily a cause for concern, but it can distract and uncomfortable with skin redness. Other signs may also follow it. It will help you treat your skin and avoid it from happening again by figuring out the root cause. An itchy red rash that forms when the skin comes in direct contact with an irritant or allergen.
When the rash is caused by an irritating substance, such as strong soap or bleach, it is called irritant contact dermatitis. When it is caused by an allergen, such as nickel in jewelry or poison ivy, it is called allergic contact dermatitis.
Causes
Sunburn
Sunburns are a common cause of skin redness and are usually the result of spending too much time in the sun without proper protection. The sun's ultraviolet rays damage the skin, which turns red as the body directs more blood to the affected area to repair the damage.
Other symptoms can include:
- sensitivity
- blisters
- Itch
- peeling skin
Other Burns
There are many other ways, besides sunburn, that a person's skin can get burned. Examples include:
- Thermal burns: These can occur when the skin comes into contact with something hot, such as flames, steam, and hot liquids.
- Chemical burns: Exposing your skin to harsh or irritating chemicals, such as bleaches, acids, and detergents, can cause chemical burns.
- Electrical burns: This may happen if the skin is hit by a powerful electrical current, such as from an exposed wire.
- Friction burns: When the skin is repeatedly rubbed against a rough surface or material, it can cause a friction burn.
- Radiation burns: Radiation exposure can damage the skin and cause burns. For example, burns can be a side effect of radiation therapy for cancer.
Dermatitis or Eczema
Dermatitis or eczema refers to a category of inflammatory skin disorders. These conditions usually cause red, itchy patches of skin where inflammation has occurred.
Dermatitis can cause a variety of other symptoms, including:
- fluid-filled blisters
- hives, which form a red, swollen, and itchy rash
- dry, flaky, or lumpy skin
- scaly skin
- other skin color changes
Heat Rash
Heat rash is when the skin becomes irritated due to hot or humid conditions. The outbreak consists of red, itchy patches of skin with small, raised clumps of pimples. These patches can be uncomfortable and can cause a stinging or stinging sensation. Heat rashes often develop in areas where the skin folds and therefore skin-to-skin contact occurs, such as in the groin area or the creases of the elbows.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a common condition in which the hair follicles in the skin become inflamed. The inflammation is usually the result of a bacterial or fungal infection. Folliculitis causes small clusters of red bumps to appear around affected follicles, which can be itchy. The area may become tender and pus-filled blisters may appear.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a common condition that causes prolonged redness of the skin, usually on the face. The condition usually begins with redness, which is when the skin temporarily appears red. These flushing episodes can last longer as rosacea progresses and can become permanent.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-term condition that causes an overproduction of new skin cells, resulting in red, dry, crusty patches of skin with silver scales. On the elbows, knees, or scalp, these patches begin to form, but they can appear on the body anywhere. Psoriasis symptoms tend to come and go in stages.
Diagnosis
The redness of your skin will be examined by your healthcare provider. If your symptoms come and go, they will hear your description of them. They will ask you some questions. These could include:
- What activities were you doing before you noticed the redness of your skin?
- Are you taking any new medications or using new skincare or cleaning products?
- Do you have a family history of skin diseases?
- Have you experienced this redness of the skin before?
- Were you around other people who may have a similar rash?
Additional tests may include taking a skin sample or biopsy from the affected area, or allergy tests to determine if your skin reacts to certain irritants.
Treatment
Treatments for skin redness depend on the cause. Examples may include avoiding the irritant or allergen that caused the skin redness in the first place.
Other treatments for skin redness include:
- Cleaning the affected area with water and soap
- Take medications such as antihistamines to minimize irritation.
- Avoid wearing garters and other restrictive clothing around your thighs.
- Apply topical skincare treatments such as calamine lotion to reduce skin redness.
- Keeping the affected area clean and dry can generally help reduce redness on the skin. If an infection is the cause of your skin redness, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the symptoms of the infection.
When to visit a Doctor?
It is not always necessary to see a doctor for redness of the skin. Contact a doctor if the rash:
- Does not go away after several days
- Covers large areas of the body
- Occurs along with a fever
- Appears suddenly and spreads rapidly
- Begins to blister
- Becomes painful
- Shows signs of infection, such as a sensation of heat or production of pus or other fluids
Home Remedies
- Aloe vera (fresh): The aloe vera plant has been used for centuries as a trusted source as a health and skincare aid.
- Cold compress: One of the quickest and easiest ways to stop the pain and itching of a rash is to apply cold.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil, extracted from coconut meat and milk, has been used as a cooking oil and skin moisturizer in tropical countries for centuries.
- Sodium bicarbonate: Baking soda (baking soda) is an old home remedy for itchy skin - rashes, poison ivy, or bug bites.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar for skin and other ailments is a centuries-old remedy. It is known to have antimicrobial properties.
- Epsom salts (or Dead Sea salts): Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) have traditionally been used in a warm bath to relieve muscle aches and pains. But bathing in Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts rich in magnesium and minerals can also help ease itching and flaking.
