Rashes occur when something irritates your skin or damages your skin cells. They often lead to problems like redness, swelling, dryness, bumps, blisters, pain, itching, or other changes in the appearance or feeling of your skin. Skin rashes can affect anyone and be caused by a range of factors.
Common types of rashes and their associated symptoms include:
In many cases, rashes develop when you have contact with something that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction, including:
Germs such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi can also cause rashes when they infect skin cells. These germs can spread from person to person, so you may develop symptoms if you come into contact with someone who has a rash caused by an infection.
Rashes are sometimes a symptom of an underlying health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
High stress levels, tiredness, and weather changes can also cause or worsen rashes.
A dermatologist can diagnose the type and cause of your rash based on your skin symptoms. Because many types of rashes can look similar to each other, your dermatologist may need to closely examine your rash using a biopsy, in which they collect a sample of skin for further testing.
Rashes sometimes disappear on their own in a few days, while others linger unless they are treated. Talk to a dermatologist to determine what is causing your rash before you try to treat it. It is especially important to tell your doctor about any rashes that aren’t getting better over time or are accompanied by other symptoms.
Try to figure out if your rash was caused by something new that you came into contact with. Did you recently switch to a new soap or start wearing a new piece of jewellery? If so, staying away from that substance may help clear up your rash and prevent new skin irritation from developing.
You can also treat rashes using lifestyle habits such as:
Depending on the cause of your rash, your doctor may recommend medication in the form of a lotion, cream, or ointment to help with itching, swelling or pain. Some of these medications are available over the counter. If your symptoms are severe, however, you may need stronger prescription medication such as steroids.