What’s Causing Your Skin Rash? 7 Possible Causes
A skin rash is irritated or swollen skin caused by any reason, such as heat rash or hives. Skin rashes have many causes and vary widely in appearance. For example, they can be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, and/or blistered and may involve itching, pain, color changes, or pus and oozing if infected. They can affect one part of the body or a larger area. Some rashes clear on their own, while others require medical attention.
This article helps readers figure out how particular rashes appear, what skin rash treatments and at-home remedies exist, and when to seek medical attention.
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Related: Alphabetical List of Common Rashes and Their Causes
Bites, Stings, and Outdoor Rashes
Bug bites and stings can be painful and itchy and cause swelling in the area. Most bug bites are harmless and can be treated at home, but some can spread diseases like:
Other outdoor rashes include skin reactions after contact with certain plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Poison ivy rashes can vary in appearance from typical red, itchy bumps to black spot poison ivy dermatitis, which looks like its name suggests. Poison ivy rash can also appear as streaks or spots.
Heat Rash
Heat rash (miliaria or prickly heat) happens when sweat gets trapped and blocks the sweat glands. It causes inflammation and small, itchy, red bumps like little blisters or pimples. The rash color varies based on a person's skin tone (e.g., red bumps may be darker on darker skin tones) This type of rash is most common on the neck, scalp, chest, groin, or elbow creases.
Related: Heat Rash: What It Looks Like and How to Treat It
Cosmetic, Cleaning Products, and Other Household Exposures
Rashes from exposure to irritants can appear crusty or scaly and include lesions and fluid-filled lesions (vesicles). During more severe skin reactions, hypersensitivity to sun exposure can occur, along with oozing blisters.
Many household irritants are found in:
Hygiene products
Hair dyes
Cleaning products
Scratchy wool
Material that contains nickel (like jewelry or clothes with metal zippers or snaps)
Exposure to irritants found in everyday household products is said to account for around 80% of skin rashes.
Related: Contact Dermatitis
Allergic or Sensitivity Reactions
Allergic or sensitivity reactions cause an immune system response. The rash will likely be itchy, red, pink, and raised or flat at the allergen contact point. Blisters and oozing can occur in severe reactions. These types of rashes can develop after repeat exposure to an allergen, but some people do react more quickly than others.
The difference between irritant rashes and allergic rashes is that irritant rashes are caused by repeated exposure to skin-irritating substances, while allergic rashes are caused by different allergens. The allergens can be plants, preservatives in household products, or materials like spandex or latex.
Related: Causes and Risk Factors of Allergies
Bacterial, Viral, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections
Skin infections can be caused by the following:
Bacteria: A staph infection is caused by bacteria entering the skin, typically through a cut
Viruses: Such as herpes simplex
Parasites: Lice can lead to the skin becoming infected if not treated properly
Some rashes from infections will cover a small surface area, whereas others will spread deeper into the skin. Exact symptoms depend on the type of infection but typically include:
Swelling
Redness
Itching
Pain
Pus
Takeaway
Skin infections may be particularly common in people with eczema.
Related: 9 Infections That Cause a Bacterial Skin Rash
Medications
Adverse drug interactions or “drug hypersensitivity” can cause an itchy rash or tender bumps and blisters. It’s said the most common type of drug reaction is hives (urticaria).
Anyone of any age can experience a drug reaction. Symptoms typically resolve without permanent damage to the skin. However, symptoms may remain for days or weeks after the medication causing the reaction has been stopped. Before stopping medication, consult with a healthcare provider.
Related: How Can You Find Out If You're Allergic to a Medication Before You Take It?
Autoimmune Disorders
In autoimmune disorders, the immune system targets healthy skin cells, leading to various rash types. People with psoriasis, for example, experience sped up skin cell growth, leading to build-up known as plaques and patches known as scales.
Many other autoimmune skin conditions can cause a rash. Examples include:
Cutaneous lupus (skin lupus)
Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP)
Related: An Overview of Autoimmune Skin Conditions
Other Health Condition-Related Causes
There are other autoimmune disorders and also inflammatory diseases that can cause a rash. Examples include:
Kawasaki disease (blood vessel inflammation)
HIV Rash
HIV infections can cause a flat rash with reddened skin patches (macules) and small raised bumps (papules). The rash appears two to six weeks after exposure to HIV. It is itchy and painful.
Childhood illnesses and infections that cause rashes include:
Related: 13 Pictures of Common Skin Rashes
How to Identify and Treat Skin Rashes
When in doubt about the cause of a rash, consult a healthcare provider.
General guidelines for at-home treatments, home remedies, or natural ways of relieving rash symptoms include:
Use mild soap and warm (not hot) water for cleaning
Pat skin dry (don’t scrub or rub)
Avoid applying cosmetics, including cosmetic lotions and ointments, on a rash
Stop using recently added cosmetics or lotions
Allow for as much air exposure as possible (i.e., do not cover the rash)
For contact dermatitis, use medicated calamine lotion on the area
For eczema and psoriasis, use oatmeal bath products available at drugstores
Oral histamines or topical steroids may also be suggested to relieve itching and other rash symptoms. If the rash is widespread, a healthcare provider or dermatologist may prescribe a short-term course of injectable or oral corticosteroids.
Severe rash may require stronger or prescription-strength hydrocortisone or other steroid cream treatment.
Related: A Guide to Which Rashes You Should Worry About
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Rashes can take days to weeks to heal. While most will resolve on their own, knowing when to seek medical attention is essential to preventing complications. Experts from the American Academy of Dermatology Association say the following scenarios require medical attention:
Rash covers most of your skin
Rash blisters or turns into open sores exposing raw skin
Fever or feeling ill with a rash
Rash is painful
Rash is spreading rapidly
Any rash involving eyes, lips, mouth, or genital area
You are showing signs of infection, including yellow or golden crusting, swelling, warmth, excessive pus, oozing, or a smell from the affected skin
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Seek emergency medical care if your eyes or lips swell up or you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Read Next: A Guide to Viral Rashes in Adults and Children
Summary
Skin rashes can happen for many reasons, from insect bites, allergies, and medications to autoimmune disorders, HIV, and various skin infections. Rashes have many different appearances. Many will resolve on their own or with at-home treatments, including gentle cleaning, avoiding further irritation, and applying a topical medicated lotion. Some may require medical attention. When in doubt or emergency scenarios, consult with a healthcare provider.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
