Rash is a popular term for a group of spots or an area of red, inflamed skin. A rash is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder. Often only temporary, a rash is rarely a sign of a serious problem.
A rash may occur on only one area of the skin, or it can cover almost all of the body. A rash may or may not itch. Depending on how it looks, a rash may be described as:
- blistering (raised oval or round collections of fluid within or beneath the outer layer of skin)
- macular (flat spots)
- nodular (small, firm, knotty rounded masses)
- papular (small, solid, slightly raised areas)
- pustular (pus-containing skin blisters)
Causes & symptoms
There are many theories as to why skin rashes occur. Sometimes the cause can be determined, and sometimes it cannot. Generally, a skin rash is an intermittent symptom, fading and reappearing. Rashes may accompany a range of disorders and conditions.
- Infectious illnesses. A rash is a symptom of many different infectious illnesses or conditions caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms. These include chickenpox, scarlet fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ringworm, herpes, shingles, measles, scabies, and Lyme disease.
- Shared cosmetics and similar personal care items. It is not unusual for people to develop rashes from sharing face powder, mascara, and similar items with other family members or friends.
- Allergic reactions. One of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction is an itchy rash. Contact dermatitis is a rash that appears after the skin is exposed to an allergen, such as metal, rubber, some cosmetics or lotions, or some types of plants (such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac). Drug reactions are another common allergic cause of rash. In this case, a rash is only one of a variety of possible symptoms, including fever, seizures, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, heartbeat irregularities, and breathing problems. This rash usually appears soon after the first dose of the medicine is taken, although allergic reactions may be delayed for several days. Common culprits include such drugs as nevirapine, a medication used to treat HIV infection, and minocycline, a drug used to treat acne.
- Autoimmune disorders. Conditions in which the immune system attacks the body (like with systemic lupus erythematosus or purpura) often have a characteristic rash.
- Nutritional disorders. Scurvy, for example, is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and produces a rash as one of its symptoms.
- Cancer. A few types of cancer, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can be the underlying cause of a rash.
Rashes in infants
Rashes are extremely common in infancy, are not usually serious, and can be treated at home most of the time.
Diaper rash is caused by prolonged skin contact with bacteria and the baby's waste products in a damp diaper. This rash has red, spotty sores and there may be an ammonia smell. In most cases, the rash will respond to drying efforts within three days. A diaper rash that does not improve in this time may be a yeast infection requiring prescription medication. A doctor should be consulted if the rash is solid, bright red, and is associated with a fever, or if the skin develops blisters, boils, or pus.
Infants can also get a rash on their cheeks and chin caused by contact with food, saliva, and stomach contents. This rash will come and go, but usually responds to a good cleaning after meals. About one-third of all infants develop acne, usually after the third week of life, in response to their mothers' hormones before birth. This rash will disappear in a few weeks to a few months. Heat rash is a mass of tiny pink bumps on the back of the neck and upper back caused by blocked sweat glands. The rash usually appears during hot, humid weather, although a baby with a fever can also develop the rash.
A baby should been seen by a doctor immediately if a rash:
- appears suddenly and is purple or blood colored
- looks like a burn
- appears while the infant seems to be sick
A family doctor, naturopathic doctor, or dermatologist (skin disease specialist) can diagnose and treat rashes. Diagnosis can be made based on the patient's medical history, the appearance of the rash, the location of the rash, and any other accompanying symptoms. In some cases, the doctor may take a biopsy (skin sample) of the rash to assist in the diagnosis.
Alternative treatments for rashes focus on relieving symptoms, clearing the rash, and rejuvenating the skin. There are many forms of alternative medicine that have remedies for rashes.
Herbal remedies are very common in the treatment of different types of rashes. Shingles may be relieved by taking 30–50 drops of St. John's wort tincture in water three to six times a day. A variety of different herbals can be applied to different kinds of rashes.
- agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) tea spray: hives and moist rashes
- aloe (Aloe vera) gel: weeping rash, shingles, burns, sunburn
- amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) tea wash: hives
- beech (Fagus grandifolia) tea wash: diaper rash and poison ivy or oak rash
- black walnut (Juglans nigra) leaf tea: rashes, rashes caused by parasites, scabies
- burdock (Articum lappa) decoction: hives, eczema
- calendula (Calendula officinalis) infusion: hives, burns, sunburn; calendula lotion: plant-contact dermatitis
- cattail (Typha latifolia) paste: poison ivy rash
- chamomile tea wash: poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash
- chickweed (Stellaria media) salve: severe rashes, hives
- comfrey (Symphytum officinale) ointment, cream, or lotion: inflamed rash; cold tea compress from comfrey root: plant-contact dermatitis
- heartsease (Viola tricolor) infusion: hives
- goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) wash: poison ivy rash, rash caused by infection, diaper rash
- jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) rub: poison ivy or oak rash and skin irritation caused by briars, brambles, or nettles
- nettle (Urtica dioca) infusion: hives
- oak bark (Querus alba) tea: rashes
- oatmeal bath: plant-contact dermatitis
- pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegiodes) tea wash: hives, shingles, measles, scabies, mumps, chickenpox, diaper rash, and poison ivy or oak rash
- pine (Pinus species) ashes: measles, chickenpox, and mumps rash
- plantain (Plantago major) poultice: poison ivy rash
- poplar (Populus candicans) tea wash: rashes
- sage (Salvia officinalis) tea wash: poison ivy or oak rash, and moist, weepy rashes
- sassafras (Sassafras albidum) root tea: rashes, shingles
- slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) bark paste: rashes
- solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) mashed root: poison ivy or oak rash
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) oil: shingles, and dry, itchy rashes
- sumac (Rhus glabra) tea wash: poison ivy rash
- thyme (Thymus vulgaris) salve: rashes
- witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) tincture: poison ivy or oak rash, diaper rash, and weeping rash
- yellow dock (Rumex crispus) decoction: hives
It is a good idea, however, to be careful in using herbal remedies. Cases have been reported of patients developing body rashes from allergies to such herbs as feverfew.
Homeopathic remedies are individually prescribed for each patient. Some possible homeopathic remedies include:
- calcium sulfide (Hepar sulphuris) for rash with pus
- graphite (Graphites) for dry, red, cracked, itchy rash in the skin folds
- honeybee (Apis) for swelling and hives from bee stings
- nosode (Medorrhinum) for sharply defined red, possibly shiny, rash suggesting yeast infection
- poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron) for plant contact dermatitis, itching hives, and restlessness
- stinging nettle (Urtica urens) for stinging hives with little inflammation
- sulfur for dry, red, cracked, itchy rash anywhere, including around the anus.
Other rash remedies include:
- Aromatherapy. The essential oils thyme, lavender, jasmine, and German chamomile may relieve allergy-induced eczema.
- Ayurveda. Rashes and hives are treated by drinking fresh cilantro juice and applying the pulp onto the rash. Fresh coconut water, melon rind, or a paste of turmeric (one part) and sandalwood (two parts) in goat's milk can be applied to the affected area. Hot milk (1 cup) containing coriander (1 teaspoon), cumin (1/2 teaspoon), and raw sugar (1 teaspoon) can be ingested once or twice daily to heal rashes and hives and restore skin health.
- Chinese medicine. Hives are treated with herbal preparations, acupuncture, ear acupuncture, and cupping. Preparations applied to the skin to relieve the itching associated with hives include Jie Du Cha Ji (Resolve Toxin Smearing Liquid), Zhi Yang Po Fen (Relieve Itching Powder), and Zhi Yang Xi Ji (Relieve Itching Washing Preparation). Contact dermatitis and drug dermatitis are treated with herbal formulas comprised of herbs chosen specifically for the patient's symptoms.
- Diet. An increased intake of mackerel, salmon, and herring provides essential fatty acids that may decrease itching and inflammation.
- Hydrotherapy. Hives can be relieved by rubbing the affected area with an ice cube, taking a cool bath, or using a cold compress.
- Hypnosis. Emotional stress can trigger many different dermatoses including certain rashes. Hypnosis has been helpful in treating atopic dermatitis, herpes, itching, psoriasis, hives, and other dermatoses.
- Juice therapy. Red rashes are treated with fresh apple, dark grape, papaya, or pineapple juices drunk at room temperature between meals.
- Supplements. Rashes may be treated with skin-repairing vitamins A, C, B complex, and zinc. Vitamin E can reduce skin dryness (decreasing the itch).
Treatment of rashes focuses on providing relief of the itching that often accompanies them. Soothing lotions, topical corticosteroids (such as hydrocortisone), or oral antihistamines (Benadryl) can provide some relief. Topical antibiotics may be administered if the patient, particularly a child, has caused an infection by scratching.
For diaper rash, the infant's skin should be exposed to the air as much as possible. Ointments are not needed unless the skin is dry and cracked. Experts also recommend switching to cloth diapers and cleaning affected skin with plain water.
Most rashes that have an acute cause (such as an infection or an allergic reaction) will disappear as soon as the infection or irritant is removed from the system. Rashes that are caused by chronic conditions (such as autoimmune disorders) may remain indefinitely or may fade and then return periodically.
Some rashes can be prevented, depending on the cause. A person known to be allergic to certain drugs or substances should avoid those things in order to prevent a rash. It is also a good idea to avoid sharing cosmetics and personal care items (including lip balms) with other family members or friends. Diaper rash can be prevented by using cloth diapers, keeping the diaper area very clean, breast-feeding, and changing diapers often. A person should launder clothing and rinse his or her skin first with rubbing alcohol and then with water after contact with a plant that can cause contact dermatitis.
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American Academy of Dermatology. 930 N. Meacham Rd., P.O. Box 4014, Schaumburg, IL 60168. (708) 330-0230. <http://www.aad.org>.
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