Rashes
in Cary, NC
What is a rash?
A rash is an area of skin that changes in color and texture, and may be irritated and inflamed. Rashes can be triggered by allergies, viruses, skin conditions, and environmental irritants. Almost everyone is affected by a rash at some time in their life.
BOOK NOWWhat are symptoms of rashes?
While every rash has a different appearance, there are some common characterizations that many types of rashes have, including:
- Redness
- Inflammation or swelling
- Dry or scaly skin
- Itchy skin
- Blisters, in some cases
- Pain, in some cases
Some rashes are localized, such as a spot that came in contact with poison ivy, while some are widespread, such as a rash that accompanies strep throat.
What causes rashes?
Rashes can appear for a number of reasons, including:
- A reaction to skin irritants like soaps, shampoo, or laundry detergent
- An allergy to something the skin comes in contact with, such as poison ivy
- An allergy to a medication such as penicillin
- A response to a viral or bacterial infection, such as shingles
- A skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema
- Stress
What types of rashes are there?
The list of rashes is too long to list here, but many rashes are more common than others.
Contact dermatitis. This type of rash happens when the skin comes in contact with an allergen or irritant. Triggers include plants like poison ivy or poison oak, or chemicals in household cleaners and cosmetics. Contact dermatitis usually causes intense itching.
Atopic dermatitis. Commonly known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is characterized by red, scaly patches. People who have it usually have a family history of asthma, seasonal allergies, or hay fever and have sensitive skin. Rashes usually appear on the face, trunk and limbs.
Psoriasis. Caused by the abnormal accumulation of dead skin cells, psoriasis is often hereditary. The rash is thick and scaly and usually appears on the knees, back, elbows, genitals, and scalp.
Seborrheic dermatitis. This is the most common rash affecting adults. It’s caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, and exacerbated by increased sebum production, leading to inflammation of skin cells. The rash usually appears on the head and causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and dandruff.
Fungal infections. These rashes usually appear in warm, moist areas such as the feet and groin. Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are common fungal infections and they are contagious.
Viral eruptions. Rashes are a side effect in multiple viruses, including hand-foot-mouth disease, strep, and shingles.
Drug eruptions. It’s fairly common for patients to form a rash when beginning a new medication. Sometimes the rash is accompanied by other symptoms like fever and fatigue.
How are rashes diagnosed?
Not all rashes need medical intervention, but if they cause extreme discomfort, look infected, are persistent, or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a Forefront dermatologist.
Your provider will examine the rash and may be able to determine its cause just by looking at it. Because rashes can be caused by so many different things, they may need to perform tests to confirm a diagnosis, such as:
- Skin biopsy. This involves removing a small piece of skin from the affected area and sending it to a lab for testing.
- Allergy test. These tests include skin pricks or patch tests to look for allergens that trigger the rash. During the test, your skin is exposed to certain allergens to detect any potential reactions.
- Blood test. Since the rash could be a symptom of a systemic disease, doctors look for antibodies in the blood that indicate specific infections or organ issues.
How are rashes treated
Many rashes will disappear on their own and do not require treatment. But remedies are available to relieve itching or help get rid of persistent rashes. Your provider will determine the best course of action depending on the cause and severity of the rash.
Rash treatments may include:
- Topical creams containing hydrocortisone to control itching, swelling, and redness. These may be over-the-counter or prescription level.
- Topical antifungal creams to eliminate the fungus that causes the rash.
- Oral antihistamines to control allergic reactions.
- Medications like steroid shots or prednisone tablets that clear up rashes by suppressing the immune system.
- Phototherapy, which uses UV rays to reduce inflammation and relieve itching.
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