About this topic
Skin rash is a swelling or irritation of the skin. ‚
What are the causes?
- Allergy to a chemical, food, plant, or drug
- Chemical sources may be things like nickel, fragrances, cosmetics, skin drugs, preservatives, sunscreen, and rubber.
- Plants may be things like poison ivy, oak, and sumac. You may not even have to touch the plant. Your skin may just touch something like clothing, tools, or pets that touched the plant.
- Drugs: Can be taken by mouth, a shot, or rubbed on the skin. Skin rashes are the most often seen sign of an allergic drug reaction. These can also happen after the drug is stopped.
- Infection
- Irritant such as a cleaner that touches the skin. These are often things like detergents, soaps, cleaners, waxes, acid, or base.
What are the main signs?
- Skin irritation in patches or all over the body
- Itching
- Dryness
- Small cracks in the skin
- Swelling
- Sore to touch
- Blisters
- Burning feeling
- Reddening of the skin
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will ask about your rash and how it started. The doctor will also ask about your contact with substances either at home or at work, and any drugs you are taking. ‚
Your doctor will look over your skin and into your mouth as part of an exam. You may need to see a doctor who takes care of allergies. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Care depends on how bad your rash is. It is also based on what is causing your rash. Your doctor will treat the itchy and bothered skin to help make you feel better. Your doctor may order: ‚
- You to stop taking a drug and start a new one. This is needed if your rash may be caused by one of your drugs.
- Warm oatmeal baths to help with itching. You may also need drugs to help with itching.
- Skin moisturizers, steroid creams, or ointments to help with irritation. You may need to take steroids by mouth if your rash is very bad.
- Drugs to treat a skin infection.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid whatever bothered the skin.
- If caused by an allergy, avoid the cause of the allergy.
- Keep skin moisturized.
- Use products that do not contain perfume.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Health ‚
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Apr2012/Feature1 ‚
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ‚
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/default.asp ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚