Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Skin Rash The skin is the largest organ of the body. If the skin was laid out flat, much like a rug, it would cover about twenty four square feet and would weigh between eight and ten pounds. Your skin provides you with a waterproof covering, protects the interior of your body by moderating temperature extremes, and guards against attack by harmful bacteria. Your skin grows more rapidly than any other organ, and it continues to renew itself for as long as a person lives. The skin is so important that the loss of more than one third of it from burns can be fatal. Rash is a general term used to explain an eruption of the skin. A rash can be flat, raised, or blistered. It may be pink, red, purple, or brown in color. It may be made of separate, distinct spots or consist of a diffuse reddened area. It can be moist and weepy or dry and scaly. Some rashes start on one part of the body and spread to other parts; others appear in one area only. There may be no sensation with it, or it may be itchy or burning. Many different things can cause a rash to occur. A rash can be a result of infection or allergies, whether a bacterial infection such as impetigo, a viral infection such as chickenpox or herpes, a fungal infection such as ringworm or yeast, or an airborne or contact allergy to foods, mold, a plant, or a drug. Contact dermatitis is the medical term for a contact allergy that results in skin rash. Common allergens involved in contact dermatitis include cosmetics, detergents, certain plants and metals, and household chemicals. Rashes can also be due to physical and environmental agents. Sun poisoning (not the same as sunburn) can cause a localized rash consisting of tiny white itchy bumps. Exposure to wind, especially cold wind, can cause the reddened skin condition known as windburn. Friction caused either by two parts of the body rubbing against each other or a part of the body rubbing against some external item can provoke a skin rash as well. Skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema are responsible for many rashes. The more you know about the rash, the better able you will be to take care of it. Look at it closely and observe what it looks like. Take into consideration where it appears on the body, whether it spreads or not, and any other symptoms you have, even if they seem unrelated. Also take into account where you were and what you were doing in the day or days before the rash appeared, as well as any other symptoms you have, even if they seem unrelated. Also take into account where you were and what you were doing in the day or days before the rash appeared, as well as environmental factors such as temperature or exposure to possible allergens. All of these clues can be important for the correct diagnosis of a rash. If you feel unsure about the cause of a skin rash, consult your health care professional for advice. If you develop a rash accompanied by a high fever, weakness, and lethargy, seek medical attention immediately. Common Skin Rashes In order to know how to treat a rash, it is best to know the cause. Listed below are some of the conditions that most commonly cause rashes, together with a description of characteristic features. This information is not meant to be a list of all possible causes of skin rash. Consult your health care provider for a definitive diagnosis of your rash. Acne – Inflammation and pimples, possibly with whiteheads and/or blackheads, usually on the face but possibly also on the chest and back. In severe cases, puss filled cysts can accompany the pimples. Allergy (food or drug related) – Pink or red flat lesions. The skin may appear swollen, and it may be itchy. Usually goes away once the offending food or drug is identified and avoided, but in rare cases a drug allergy can lead to a prolonged skin disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Athlete’s foot – Clusters or tiny blisters and scaly sores that appear on the feet, especially between the toes. Itchy and burning. Goes away with treatment, but can be persistent; a complete cure can take up to a month in some cases. Candida Infection – Inflamed, splotchy red patches that may itch and/or be tender to the touch, most often in such areas as the underarms, groin, beneath the breasts, and other places with skin to skin contact. Gets better with treatment, but can be persistent. Chickenpox – Appears first as a flat, reddish rash, and then turns into batches of tiny pimples and blisters that crust over as they heal. Usually, preceded by a day or two of typical viral symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and general malaise. In most cases the rash begins on the trunk and spreads to the extremities. Usually there are comparatively few lesions on the neck and head. Chickenpox is very itchy. Contact dermatitis – Redness, itching, swelling, often followed by blisters of varying size at the site contact with the agent responsible. Eczema – A raised red rash that may be dry and scaly or composed of weepy, fluid filled lesions. Itching can be severe. Usually an allergic reaction that improves once the allergen is identified and avoided. Heat rash – Small raised red lesions with tiny blisters at the center. Appears suddenly, usually in hot weather, and resolves quickly. May be itchy and stinging. Herpes – Small blisters and ulcers, either around the mouth or in the genital area, that be preceded by an itching or burning sensation. Itchy and painful. An outbreak usually lasts four to ten days, but outbreaks can be a recurring problem. Lupus Discoid lupus erthematosus (DLE): Starts as one or more red, circular, thickened areas of the skin that later form scars, most often on the face, behind the ears, and/or on the scalp. If lesions lead to scaring on the scalp, there can be permanent hair loss in the affected area. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A red butterfly shaped rash over the checks and nose. There can also be reddening on the palm and fingers; flat or raised red lesions on the face, neck, upper chest, and/or elbows; and circular markings similar to those of DLE. Lyme disease – A round, raised reddish lesion that is usually paler or whitish in the center occurs at the site of the tick bite that transmits this disease. May or may not be accompanied by flulike symptoms, including headache, fever, and general malaise. The rash may come and go throughout the illness. Measles – A splotchy purplish red rash of irregular shaped raised and flat lesions. Begins as small spots that coalesce into larger patches. Usually preceded by several days of viral symptoms, including fever, cough, and general malaise, as well as conjunctivitis. In most cases, the rash begins on the face and spreads to the trunk and extremities. Lasts four to seven days, then fades away as the virus runs its course. Poison ivy, oak, or sumac – Small fluid filled lesions, with redness and swelling, weeping and crusting. Can appear several hours or several days after contact with the plant. Itching and burning can be severe. Lasts from two to four weeks, then gradually heals. Psoriasis - Patches of red skin covered by thick, scaly clumps, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, back, and buttocks, though any part of the body can be affected. Cannot be cured, but can usually be managed with treatment. Ringworm – Small, flat lesions that grow to be about one quarter of inch circular lesions. The skin may appear scaly; there may be fluid filled blisters that itch a great deal. Ringworm usually appears on the face, arms, and/or trunk and goes away with treatment. Rosacea – Areas of redness and swelling, possibly with bumps and pimples, mainly in the center of the face. Dilated blood vessels beneath the skin may appear as reddish blotches. Cannot be cured, but can be managed with treatment. Scabies – Small red lumps that may become dry and scaly. You may also see thin light gray or pinkish lines under the skin. Often very itchy. Most commonly occurs on the buttocks, genitals, wrists, armpits, and between the fingers and toes. Resolves with treatment. Seborrhea – Dry scaling over underlying redness, usually on the scalp or face or in the skin folds. Shingles – Tiny vesicles that erupt following two days or so of pain and itching at the site, usually on the side of the face or trunk. Warts – Common warts: Raised, sharply outlined rough bumps, often brown or gray in color. Most often found on the hands, feet, face, and/or neck. Genital warts: Clusters of small rubbery, usually pinkish colored, cauliflower shaped growths in the genital area. Plane warts: Small, flat lumps, often found in clusters. Plantar warts: Painful hard round areas in and on the soles of the feet and bottoms of the toes. Prevention Some types of rashes may not be preventable. However, it can help to avoid contact with any substances to which you know you are sensitive. Also avoid having your skin come in contact with harsh and potentially irritating substances such as detergents, cleansers, and household chemicals.
Taken internally, Skin Dr. tablets help to maintain balance and hydration of the skin, as well as the supply of oxygen at cellular level. In addition, routine removal of old skin cells and the natural regenerative processes of the skin are also supported. Continue Itch Dr - Relieve Itching Related to Skin Rashes - Continue |
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