Rashes

What is a Rash?

A rash is not a specific medical diagnosis but is a broad term used to describe almost any abnormal change in skin color, texture and sensitivity, often including discoloration, soreness, inflammation and the development of lesions, blisters or boils. Typically the term is used to describe an area of skin that experiences irritation or swelling. The skin affected by a rash may be itchy, painful and reddened. In some cases, there may be blisters, boils or peeling skin. In some cases the changes may only be in terms of appearance but will cause no actual physical discomfort. Rashes could be symptomatic of a variety of medical problems and to treat a rash effectively it is important to get an accurate diagnosis, especially if it does not respond to broad-spectrum treatments.

While some rashes develop rapidly, in other cases the rash may only develop after several days. In most cases, rashes are mild and non-threatening and will also resolve quite quickly. For example, heat rashes and dry skin are caused by climatic conditions and will resolve when the weather changes. If the rash is severe however, it may require medical diagnosis and treatment. In some such cases, the rash may also take a considerable amount of time to resolve and treatment will be long term.

Types of Skin Rashes

Skin rashes can be of different types and it is important that you identify the type of rash to treat it effectively. Rashes of the skin can be broadly categorized into those that are caused by exposure to certain environmental triggers or allergens like a poison ivy rash or hives, which may be caused by a food allergy, rashes that are infectious or non-infectious, rashes that are caused as a side effect to certain medications and rashes that develop as a symptom of certain infections. Some of the most common types of skin rashes include the following:

Contact dermatitis is a localized rash that is characterized by inflammation of the skin and as the name suggests results from exposure to various possible allergens.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a rash characterized by red or scaly patches that may appear around the eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears, around the nose, mouth and the trunk. When the condition affects the scalp it is referred to as ‘cradle cap’ in infants and ‘dandruff’ in adults. This is an extremely common condition and is quite harmless.

Atopic dermatitis, better known as eczema is recognizable from the red and scaly patches of skin that it causes. The skin that is affected is also often itchy.

Psoriasis is another common skin rash that affects skin around the joints such as on the knees and elbows, causing red, scaly patches that tend to itch. It may also occur on the scalp and even affect fingernails.

Ringworm is also a skin infection that is characterized by a ring shaped lesion that forms on the affected area. It causes intense itching and can even spread very easily. This type of rash can occur anywhere on the body.

Symptomatic rashes can occur as a result of the presence of certain diseases. In such cases the appearance of blisters, boils, skin inflammation or peeling skin may be just one of many other symptoms.

In addition, some types of rashes may also develop as a result of insect bites and due to exposure to certain chemicals present in cosmetics or other substances. These are in fact also allergic reactions but it is important to recognize the causative agent, as treatment can then be more effective. For example, in the case of bites from certain insects, the swelling and inflammation occurs as a result of an allergic reaction to the saliva or digestive enzymes secreted by the insect.

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In other cases, drugs and medications being used to treat a particular condition may result in the appearance of certain skin rashes. In such cases however the rash will disappear once the condition being treated is cured and treatment stops.

What Causes Rashes?

The causes of skin rashes are almost as varied and numerous as are the number of skin rashes, but it would help to understand a few of the most common causes of skin rashes.

• Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to environmental triggers and allergens through direct contact. Individuals who are allergic to certain chemicals or substances will develop a rash when their skin comes into contact with these substances. Some common allergens that cause such skin rashes on exposure include cosmetics, detergents, latex, rubber, dyes and chemicals. Poison ivy and poison oak rash are also forms of contact dermatitis as the skin rash is a reaction to exposure to the tree resin.
• The exact causes of seborrhoeic dermatitis are not understood, but it is believed that oily skin may be a contributing factor and it could be caused by a yeast called malassezia that is present in oil secretion. The problem is often exacerbated by stress, extreme weather conditions and alcohol-based lotions.

• The exact causes of atopic dermatitis are unknown, but it is most likely caused by genetic or environmental factors. The condition is closely associated with asthma and hay fever and the skin irritation symptomatic of the condition is also regarded as an allergic response. It may be worsened or triggered by allergens like dust mites, mold, harsh soaps and cosmetics, certain fabrics like wool, airborne pollutants, extreme weather conditions like dry and cold weather and also because of certain food allergies and excessive washing and scratching of the skin.
• Psoriasis is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that alter your immune response. As a result, T-cells that normally protect against foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses and parasites, now begin to attack healthy skin. Overactive T-cells can also trigger other immune responses, which not only result in increased production of healthy skin cells and white blood cells, but more T-cells as well. This perpetuates the cycle, which can then only be broken with treatment.
• Ringworm is a fungal infection caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. The ring like formation on the skin is attributed to the manner in which the infection progresses. Once the fungus sets hold it spreads out in rings, each consecutive outer ring forming as the inner one starts to subside. The infection is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact either with contaminated surfaces and objects like linen and clothing or through contact with infected animals and in rare cases through contact with infected soil.

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Rashes may also be caused as a symptom of certain diseases like shingles, chickenpox, measles and rubella among others. Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and Kawasaki disease may also cause skin rashes to appear. Certain medications being used to treat another health condition may also cause rashes as one of their side effects.

What are the Symptoms of Rashes?

Skin rashes are themselves a symptom of various skin diseases, or of other health conditions and diseases and allergic reactions. If you do suffer from a skin rash you may notice any of the following symptoms:

• Redness of the skin
• Inflammation and swelling on the skin
• Tenderness and increased sensitivity of the affected skin
• Abnormal skin coloration in specific areas of skin, with or without bumps or swelling
• Itchy or painful bumps on the skin
• Sores or lesions that may be flat or raised
• Dry, peeling or scaly skin
• The formation of papules, pustules and nodules
• Leathery texture of the skin
• The appearance of tiny red dots on the skin
• Formation of blisters that may be itchy or painful to touch
• The formation of white dots or lumps on the skin

The list of symptoms for general skin rashes can go on almost endlessly as almost any skin abnormality could be indicative of a skin rash.

How to Diagnose Rashes?

A skin rash can often be diagnosed simply by the appearance of the rash, by accompanying symptoms if any and by examining your background and medical history. Certain symptoms can correspond to very specific diseases; a flushed appearance with redness of skin on the face, such as on the forehead and cheeks may be indicative of rosacea, while bumps or sores that suddenly appear on your face or torso are generally indicative of hives or an allergic reaction to a medication. For this reason, understanding the symptoms of various common skin diseases and rashes can help you deduce and diagnose the rash yourself. Most skin rashes are mild and will resolve naturally without any treatment or with broad-spectrum treatments. If a rash does not respond to home treatments or seems to be getting worse, it is imperative that you consult your health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.

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To make a diagnosis of a simple rash your health care provider will first examine your skin and evaluate the symptoms. Make sure to provide your doctor with your personal and medical history, especially including information about any allergies and past or present medical conditions like asthma or lactose intolerance, no matter how irrelevant it may seem to you. Personal information should include details such as any changes in your diet in the recent past, changes in the soaps, detergents or cosmetics that you use, any recent trips that you’ve made or the presence of any other symptoms.

Your health care provider may recommend further diagnostic tests, either to identify the cause or to confirm his suspicions. Commonly used tests include allergy tests, blood tests, skin scrapings and patch tests. You don’t need to panic or jump to conclusions if you’re asked to do a test, as these diagnostic tools are used are often used to identify mundane fungal and viral conditions as well.

Understanding the diagnostic tools:

• Skin scrapings are often used to diagnose infections caused by fungi or viruses. A sample is obtained by scraping some cells from the surface of the affected area.
• Allergy tests could include different type of tests like intradermal, patch and prick tests. Skin reactions and response to minute amounts of the suspected allergen are closely observed and there is little discomfort involved.
• The procedure for blood tests is standardized and allergic response which is tested by measuring immunoglobulin E antibodies response when an allergen is introduced to the sample.

• A skin biopsy may be mildly discomforting, as it is the most invasive of all the procedures. A small tissue sample is taken from the affected area for examination under a microscope. The procedure is usually performed using a scalpel and the patient is generally given a local anesthesia. Depending on the size or location of the excision, stitches may be required after the biopsy.

What are the Treatment for Rashes?

When dealing with general rashes there are certain standard procedures that you can follow. In the absence of any diagnosis, treatment is primarily aimed at providing relief from symptoms like itching and inflammation and may also seek to minimize the risk of scaring, especially if there are blisters or pustules present. For baby rashes and rashes in children it would be best to seek a medical diagnosis as certain types or rashes like cradle cap, ringworm and scabies are more common in younger children and treatments that are safe for adults may not be suitable for children. The best over the counter and home treatments for rashes include the following:

• Itching is a huge source of discomfort and most commonly used treatments for rashes are meant to relieve this symptom. Anti-itching lotions like calamine can help, but you can also use oatmeal baths and aloe vera gel on the affected area for quick relief.

• If you suffer from dryness and peeling skin that seem to be aggravated in winter it would be a good idea to use moisturizers during this time of the year. Prescription strength corticosteroids may also be prescribed, but they should not be used for a prolonged period because they can result in thinning of the skin and increase the risk of infections.
• Bacterial and fungal infections are treated using antibiotics and antifungal medications respectively. Topical ointments and creams to treat both types of infections are quite effective, but in some cases you may also need oral medications.
• Antihistamines are also commonly used to treat severe itching as in the case of hives and certain allergic reactions, but they can cause drowsiness. It’s best to take them just before bedtime if you need to.
• Phytotherapy is another line of treatment used to treat certain rashes like psoriasis and it uses ultraviolet light waves. This treatment is provided under strict medical supervision and it does pose certain serious side effects. The long-term risks include premature aging and cancer of the skin.

Treatment for Severe Rash

When dealing with severe rashes that do not respond to topical treatments, doctors may recommend the use of systemic corticosteroids. These are administered orally or intravenously and the administration and dosage are strictly regulated. Treatment with corticosteroids is gradually tapered off and is only used for short durations because of the risk of serious side effects from prolonged usage.