What is a Rash?
A rash is a swollen or inflamed region of the skin. It's crucial to remember that the term "rash" may signify a variety of things to a variety of individuals. Some rashes are quite mild and easy to treat at home, whilst others might be more severe. Many rashes are irritating, itchy, red, and painful. Some rashes can also cause blisters or damaged skin areas. Rashes are a sign of a wide range of medical conditions. Skin rashes can also cause skin lumps that resemble pimples or blisters, as well as blotchy, scaly, or red skin. Skin responses like this can be caused by allergens, heat, and certain medical disorders. Some skin rashes appear immediately, while others develop over time. Some appear on the forehead, cheeks, mouth, face, nose, etc. Others appear on the hands, hips, legs, or whole body. The location, appearance, and colour of a skin rash all play a role in selecting the correct diagnosis and therapy.
The majority of rashes are not life-threatening. Over-the-counter antihistamines, creams, and steroid lotions can be used to reduce irritation and inflammation. These may resolve themselves within a few days or weeks. Contact dermatitis, for instance, is a frequent form of a rash. It is distinguished by redness and scratching in response to various environmental allergens that come into contact with the skin, such as stinging nettles, detergents, perfumes, or home pollutants. Medications and avoiding irritants can treat such types of rashes. It's unpleasant, but it's not dangerous or communicable.
On the other hand, some rashes might be symptoms of major health issues or allergic responses. A rash known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), for example, is a true condition that requires a medical emergency. SJS is triggered by a strong allergic reaction to the medicine and is extremely dangerous. Hence, in order to prevent intensifying the condition, it is always necessary to seek the advice of a medical professional, especially a dermatologist, before handling a significant rash by oneself.
20 Common Skin Rashes, Causes, and Treatment
There are many different skin rashes caused due to various reasons. Below is a list of 20 common skin rashes, their causes, along with the treatment. They are as follows:
Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting dermatitis condition that lasts around 6–10 weeks. A huge circular "herald patch," commonly present on the chest, belly, or back, distinguishes it. The herald patch is followed by the appearance of smaller crusty oblong red patches that look like Christmas trees and are mostly seen on the chest and stomach after a period of time, usually two weeks or above. Delicate, swollen, slippery patches up to 1.5cm in size identify this rash. Although the rash isn't harmful, it can be bothersome. The spots are commonly pinkish-red in light-skinned persons. Patches on dark-skinned persons might be grey, dark brown, or black in colour.
Causes
According to research, pityriasis rosea is thought to be caused by bacterial infection. Despite the fact that the condition was first identified in the medical literature in 1860, no contagious germ has yet been found. Several factors support the argument that pityriasis rosea is generated by a bacterial illness: most people experience obscure, atypical symptoms before the rash appears; the ailment does not keep happening after the acute phase of the disease, implying that the body develops resistance to the infectious disease; and pityriasis rosea has occurred in concentric circles, implying that a viral illness is negatively impacting a group. Although pityriasis rosea is known to be caused by a virus, it is not considered to be viral. Some experts believe that the autoimmune variables have a role to play in causing the disease.
Treatment
Without therapy, Pityriasis rosea normally improves after 12 weeks. Treatment isn't necessary unless one is bothered by irritation and suffering. Pityriasis rosea can be treated in a variety of ways, including:
- Creams and other emollients that hydrate and soothe the skin. Since standard soap might exacerbate the rash, therefore certain emollients can be used as soap.
- Hydrocortisone and betamethasone creams are examples of steroid creams or ointments which are given by a doctor and can help with puffiness and inflammation.
- UVB light treatment, often known as phototherapy, is a type of light therapy that uses ultraviolet radiation to treat such skin rashes if other treatments do not work.
Ringworm
A fungal infection causes a rash on the body called ringworm. The rash is frequently painful and round, with clearer skin in the middle. The look of ringworm gives it its name. There is no worm involved. Athlete's feet, jock itch, and scalp ringworm are all connected to the ringworm of the body. Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal is a common way for ringworm to spread. Ringworm may affect anyone. This infection's fungus may dwell on the skin, surfaces, and household goods such as garments, blankets, pillows, towels, mattresses etc.
Causes
Ringworm can develop by connection with things or materials that have already been handled or wiped against by an afflicted living creature, such as garments, bathrobes, bedding and linen, brushes, hairbrushes etc. Ringworm is frequently transferred by personal skin-to-skin contact with the infected individual. Ringworm can also be contracted by encountering a ringworm-infected animal. While caressing or grooming dogs or cats, ringworm can spread. It is also rather frequent in cows.
Treatment
Jock itch, athlete's foot, and body ringworm are all commonly treated with typical medicines such as antifungal lotions, ointments, creams, sprays, and so on. Oral medicines may be used to treat certain severe instances. Ringworm of the scalp or nails may need the use of prescription-strength oral treatments like terbinafine. It is vital to continue using the cream for as long as the label or the doctor recommends. This will assist in preventing the illness from returning. If one does not cure ringworm, the skin may break, and the pores may get infected with germs. Antimicrobial agents will be required if this occurs.
Eczema
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin ailment that causes the skin to become red and scratchy. It is most frequent in children, but it can happen at any age. Eczema is a long-term condition that swells up from time to time. Asthma or seasonal allergies often accompany it.
Causes
Eczema is caused by mutations in genes that impair the skin's capacity to offer an adequate defence. This permits environmental influences, pathogens, and allergies to damage one's skin. Food allergies may have a role in the development of eczema in certain infants. People with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop this condition.
Treatment
Eczema can be treated using aroma moisturizer containing substances including ceramides, glycerin, and mineral oil. Over-the-counter lotions and creams containing the steroid hydrocortisone are examples of medicines. These treatments may help to relieve the irritation, puffiness, and inflammation associated with eczema. Phototherapy is also another effective therapy that some individuals with eczema find effective. To treat severe eczema, phototherapy employs ultraviolet radiation – either ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) – from specialized lamps. Sunlight's ultraviolet rays radiation have been proved to improve in the treatment of various skin conditions, including eczema.
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is an infection that forms a rash on the skin. Varicella-zoster virus is the bacterium that causes the infection. If people haven't received a chickenpox vaccination, they will catch the disease easily. Clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters are frequent symptoms. The rash is followed by fever, body pains, sore throat, and lack of appetite. It's infectious until all of the blisters have properly sealed.
Causes
The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox infections. It is contagious by immediate communication with the rashes. It can also spread when someone with chickenpox coughs or sneezes and people nearby inhale the particles of air.
Treatment
Most people who have chickenpox will be recommended to control their symptoms as the virus passes through their system. To avoid the spread of the virus, parents will be advised to keep their children away from school and daycare services. Adults who are infected must likewise stay at home. Dermatologists may prescribe antihistamine medicines or topical ointments to help lessen itchiness.
Contact Dermatitis
A red, itchy rash generated by direct touch with a chemical or an allergic reaction to it is known as contact dermatitis. Although the rash is not life-threatening yet it can be quite painful. Most contact dermatitis reactions are mild, although they can be uncomfortable until the itching subsides.
Causes
Contact dermatitis is caused by being exposed to a chemical that irritates the skin or causes an adverse reaction. The material might be one of the thousands of allergies and irritants known to science. Fluids, rubbing alcohol, chlorine and cleansers, shampoos, permanent bleaching treatments, airborne substances such as wood chips or woollen particles, plants, chemicals, insecticides, etc. are all regular irritants causing contact dermatitis.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, one may be able to treat chronic contact dermatitis at home or may even need to visit a doctor. Some basic treatment includes:
- Immediately wash one's skin with mild soap and cold water.
- Applying a cold, wet massage for 30 minutes three times a day on blisters.
- Putting moisturizers on damaged skin many times each day can aid in the restoration of the protective layer.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is skin inflammation. It is a prevalent illness that predominantly affects newborns. It affects the majority of youngsters at least once before they are toilet trained. Diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis, produces itchy blistering and burning on parts of the skin that come into touch with and rub against a diaper.
Causes
Bruises can occur when diapers are excessively stiff or do not fit comfortably. Chemicals in cleansers or other goods that come into contact with the baby's skin, including nappies, might irritate the skin. Diaper rash happens when a child sits in a dirty diaper for an extended period of time. Diarrhoea might aggravate the situation. Since human excreta are acidic, bacteria and yeast may grow, therefore all of these components have the potential to irritate the skin.
Treatment
Diaper rash is routinely treated with ointments. They include hydrocortisone to decrease inflammation, antimicrobial or antibacterial creams to battle infestations, and corticosteroid creams and ointments should only be used on the advice of a specialist.
Flea Bites
Flea bites are little, discoloured lumps on the skin caused by fleas sucking blood. Fleas are tiny insects that serve as vectors (living things that carry diseases between animals and humans). Infections are frequently transmitted by vectors via blood.
Causes
Male and female fleas feed on blood. In some flea species, particularly those that often plague dogs and cats, baby fleas feed on the blood-rich adult flea faeces. Humans get bitten by fleas. The flea species that often afflict dogs and cats do not survive on humans. Humans have far less hair than dogs and cats. Fleas love furry animals because it allows them to hide more easily.
Treatment
Flea treatments can range from simple home cures to special treatments. Tea tree oil, calamine lotion, vinegar, and antihistamine drugs are examples of these. It is critical that individuals must not attempt to scratch fleabites to avoid subsequent illness.
Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma annulare is a skin disorder that generates a raised rash or ring-shaped pimples. The most frequent kind affects young people and is generally limited to the hands and feet. It isn't contagious and isn't generally unpleasant, but it can make one feel self-conscious.
Causes
It is unknown what causes granuloma annulare. It is sometimes caused by: animal or insect bites, infections such as hepatitis, tuberculin skin tests, vaccinations, and so forth.
Treatment
Except for cosmetic considerations, treatment of granuloma annulare is typically unnecessary. Steroid creams or ointments might help the pimples vanish in certain circumstances. Some doctors may elect to use liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesions or to inject steroids directly into the bump rings. In severe situations, ultraviolet light treatment or oral medications may be employed.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever, commonly known as scarlatina, is a bacterial infection that can occur in persons who have strep throat. It is distinguished by a bright red rash on the body, which is generally accompanied by a high temperature and a sore throat.
Causes
Scarlet fever is caused by the bacterium group A Streptococcus, which can thrive in our mouth and nasal passages. These bacteria can generate a toxin, or poison, which causes the bright red rash on the human body.
Treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat scarlet fever. Antibiotics destroy germs while also assisting the body's immune system in fighting off the bacteria that is causing the infection. Gargling with salt water eating ice creams or warm soup are among other cures.
Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised bruises on the skin that appear red or brown. They vary in size from little pimples to enormous patches.
Causes
Hives are often caused by an allergic response to anything you have come into contact with or consumed. Other than allergies, It is not unusual for people to develop hives as a result of stress, tight clothing, activity, sickness, or infection. Hives can also develop as a result of irritation caused by excessive perspiration.
Treatment
A doctor may perform blood tests to discover what caused the hives, particularly if an allergic response caused them. The doctor may also advise patients to seek temporary relief by avoiding rubbing the region, avoiding hot water, or even choosing a cool or lukewarm bath.
Acne
Acne is the most frequent skin problem that affects teenagers. It is marked by red, pigmented lumps on the skin and whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.
Causes
The causes vary but are frequently based on excess oil and germs on the face, chest, or back, which can be exacerbated by hormone disorders, stress, particular diets, and irritating items.
Treatment
Certain contraceptives can occasionally help a woman's acne clear up. Several drugs and treatments are shown to be beneficial. They aim to address the underlying causes of acne. Depending on the severity of one's condition, one may require treatments and therapies.
Shingles
Shingles, often known as herpes zoster, is a blistering rash. It usually occurs in a stripe but exclusively on one side of the body. Shingles can cause vision loss and damage to the eye. The virus that causes it is the same one that causes chickenpox.
Causes
When the varicella-zoster virus enters the human body, it produces chickenpox as the initial symptom. The virus goes into the nerve tissues surrounding the spinal cord and brain after chickenpox has finished its course. Years later, the virus "wakes up" and spreads to human skin via nerve tissue, causing shingles.
Treatment
Anticonvulsant medications such as gabapentin, antidepressants such as amitriptyline, colloidal oatmeal baths, cool compresses, medicated lotion, etc. are some treatments for shingles.
Drug Rash
Drug rashes are speckled, itchy, and red rashes that can cover vast regions of skin. They might develop days or weeks after a medicine has been taken. A drug rash can be a side effect or a response to a new prescription, and practically any medication can induce one.
Causes
When your immune system misidentifies a medicine as a hazardous agent, such as a virus or bacteria, you develop a drug rash. Some medications, according to researchers, can attach directly to a kind of immune system white blood cell called a T cell. This triggers the production of molecules that might induce an allergic reaction.
Treatment
When patients stop taking the drug that is causing the response, the issue normally goes away. Corticosteroids, antihistamines, and other medications may be used as well.
Measles
Measles causes large swathes of skin to be covered in flat, red patches. The rash usually starts on the forehead at the hairline and extends to the feet. Flu-like symptoms accompany the rash, including a high temperature, cough, and runny nose.
Causes
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that multiplies in an infected child's or adult's nose and throat. When a person with measles coughs, sneezes, or speaks, infectious droplets shoot into the air, where they can be inhaled by others.
Treatment
An established measles infection has no particular therapy. However, some protective treatments, like as post-exposure vaccination and immune serum globulin, can be performed to protect susceptible individuals who have been exposed to the virus.
Intertrigo
Skin-to-skin contact irritates in warm, moist places of the body, such as the pubic region, between folds of skin on the belly, under the breasts, under the arms, and between the toes. Skin that has been impacted may be sensitive and severe cases may result in seeping sores, broken skin, or bleeding.
Causes
The skin surfaces cling together as a result of retained moisture, which is commonly caused by sweating. This causes skin damage, bacterial and/or fungal overgrowth, and inflammation by increasing friction between the skin's surfaces.
Treatment
Keeping the afflicted region dry, clean, and cold is the most effective strategy to treat intertrigo that hasn't created an infection. Various home remedies like wearing loose cloth, using talcum powder in affected areas etc., can also be used to reduce rashes.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a long-term skin disorder that produces face flushing in adults. It can eventually lead to microscopic ruptured blood vessels on the nose and cheeks. Small, acne-like lumps appear on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin in some persons.
Causes
The causes differ from one individual to the next. Spicy meals, hot beverages, exercise, cosmetics, severe temperatures, alcoholic beverages, mental stress, wind, and sunshine are all common causes causing rosacea.
Treatment
Doctors suggest medicines like azelaic acid, brimonidine, isotretinoin etc. for treating rosacea.
Lichen Planus
It's a skin condition that causes glossy, flat-topped pimples. They're usually angular in form and reddish-purplish in hue. Lichen planus can appear everywhere on the body, although it is most common on the insides of the wrists and ankles, the lower legs, the back, and the neck.
Causes
Lichen planus is sometimes caused by a triggering substance, such as hepatitis B or C. This is referred to as a lichenoid response by doctors.
Treatment
Lichen planus cannot be cured; however, it can be managed with anti-itch medications such as antihistamines. Doctors may recommend steroid injections, prednisone, or other medications in more severe instances.
Cellulitis
Streptococcus bacteria produce a restricted skin infection known as cellulitis. In one place, the skin becomes bloated, heated, and red, which may be distinguished from healthy skin.
Causes
A bacterial infection is the most common cause of cellulitis. If the skin is damaged, the germs can infect the deeper layers of the skin.
Treatment
Antibiotics are usually taken by mouth for a minimum of 5 days to treat cellulitis. In some circumstances, though, doctors will prescribe intravenous antibiotics as soon as symptoms are identified.
Heat Rash
Prickly heat, heat rash, or sweat rash are all terms used to describe miliaria, a frequent kind of skin rash. Miliaria can develop in those who sweat a lot. It may be irritating.
Causes
The obstruction of sweat ducts causes prickly heat. Sweat pours into the adjacent skin if the sweat duct is clogged. This produces the rash by causing microscopic pockets of inflammation.
Treatment
In most situations, the rash will go away on its own. Severe instances, on the other hand, might linger for many weeks. Some home cures for preventing heat rashes include wearing loose clothing, using antiseptic lotion, avoiding dampness, and so on.
Scabies
Scabies causes a discoloured, splotchy rash that might resemble a pimple on any region of the body. Scabies causes severe itching, which is frequently worst at night.
Causes
This rash, unlike the others on this list, is caused by a mite infestation. It's very infectious and readily spreads through skin-to-skin contact in crowded places.
Treatment
Scabies will not disappear on their own. Only prescription drugs that destroy the mites may cure it. In most situations, treatment consists of a cream or lotion applied to the entire body from the neck down. It is applied for 8 to 14 hours before being wiped off. Depending on the drug used, treatment might last up to three days.
References
- https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/g35097441/skin-rash-pictures/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/skin-rash/sls-20077087?s=9
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/drug-rashes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/rashes#causes
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-ski
