Common Types of Skin Rashes
Skin rashes affect people of all ages, and they appear as a symptom of an underlying medical problem or as a result of humid or hot air. Furthermore, regardless of the type, skin rashes have one common similarity; they all cause red, bumpy, itchy, and painful patches on the skin—some small, others affect a larger part of the skin.
What is The Cause of Skin Rashes?
There is no single cause of skin dermatitis. Instead, they are a result of combined factors like medical conditions, hot air, or exposure to excess sun.
At times rashes appear and subside on their own; however, certain conditions may cause blisters or skin patches and warrant the attention of a doctor.
Although there are home remedies that can get rid of the rashes, skin dermatitis requires professional treatment depending on the cause. It is imperative to visit us at Altus Emergency Center for an assessment.
What are the common rashes?
You will experience rashes at one point in your life, some contagious, and others are not. Here are three common types of skin rashes.
- Eczema
Eczema describes various conditions that cause inflamed, itchy, scaly, and red rashes. Although eczema occurs in adults, it is common in children, and it is not contagious.
Atopic dermatitis is a common form of eczema and is inherited from parents.
It is difficult to know if you have eczema, but our dermatologist will check and assess your skin to check the severity.
Some eczema symptoms include itching, which causes inflammation when scratched. Other atopic dermatitis symptoms include; small and rough bumps, red and scaly areas, and bumps that ooze fluids.
Infants can get atopic eczema between six and 12 weeks after birth, and it appears on the scalp or forehead. On children, eczema affects elbows, the mouth, and behind the knees.
In certain cases, eczema symptoms subside after the second birthday, but some people may still suffer from eczema way into their adult life.
Mild eczema doesn’t require treatment, only a change in your daily habits. Plus, choose soaps that are not aggressive to avoid skin irritation.
- Heat rush
Heat or prickly rash is not just for babies. It can also affect adults during humid and hot weather. The rash usually develops when the sweat ducts clog, causing inflammation.
Symptoms of heat rash include blisters and red lumps, which are itchy or prickly. Heat rush clears on its own with home remedies. However, visit an ER near you when you experience swelling, increased pain or redness, have lesions with pus, fever, and chills.
- Poison Ivy Rash
Poison Ivy rash is an allergic reaction to urushiol, an oily resin extracted from poison ivy leaves or roots. The rash develops when you come into contact with the resin, whether through direct touching or inhaling smoke from burning poison oak/ivy or touching contaminated objects. Poison Ivy rash does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms of poison ivy rash include itching, redness, blisters, swelling, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms disappear after two weeks with self-care treatments. However, if the rash spreads, causing blisters, the doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid to ease the pain.
Treatment of Skin Rashes
The skin rash treatment of choice will depend on the cause of the cause and severity. There are, however, home remedies that can help relieve symptoms such as:
- Cold compress involves the application of ice packs to the affected area. You can also choose cold showers to ease the inflammation.
- Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help with wound healing.
- Coconut oil is an effective remedy as it contains saturated fats, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that reduce inflammation. Plus, it is also a good moisturizer.
- Tea tree, with its microbial properties, is an effective treatment for skin rashes. You should, however, dilute it with coconut or olive oil before applying it on your skin as it can be drying.
- Baking soda has also been used to relieve skin inflammation as it acts as a buffer, thereby balancing the skin’s pH level.
Schedule an Appointment
As much as these home remedies can work, at Altus Emergency Center in Waxahachie, we advise you to come for a skin assessment before you proceed with any form of skin treatment.