Types of skin rashes

The skin is our letter of introduction. It is not only about aesthetics; the skin speaks of how our interior is. The rashes or lesions that appear on the skin can correspond to various problems: allergies, heat, infections, drugs, and even autoimmune issues can generate them.

In this FastlyHealarticle, you will find the most common types of skin rashes and their symptoms and treatment.

Allergy rash

Allergy is one of the most common causes of skin rashes; it is also known as eczema. It is usually suffered chronically by various environmental stimuli, food, drugs, or cosmetics.

Redness, pimples, and itching are typical. It can appear as red spots on the skin in different areas of the body:

• Extremities, hands, feet, or the back of the knees.
• Neck.
• The upper part of the body.
• Method.

Treatment

You can act preventively:

• Ventilating the environment.
• Improving your diet: reducing dairy, processed and refined is key.
• Using hypoallergenic cosmetic products.
• Avoiding irritants.
• Hydrating your skin.

Or treat the rash :

• You can take oral allergy medications such as cetirizine or desloratadine.
• In some cases, antiallergic or corticosteroid ointments may be necessary. Corticosteroids can be used orally or by injection in more severe cases.

Contact dermatitis

These are skin lesions due to a particular substance. Some chemicals are irritating to any skin type, such as cleaning products or industrial substances. When the skin comes into contact with them, a dry, red lesion is produced that does not usually itch.

On the other hand, people are allergic to certain substances such as latex or nickel. When a susceptible person touches these substances, they suffer from reddened, very itchy skin lesions and may even be visible bumps.

Treatment

• It is critical to identify which substance is causing the rash and not make further contact with it.
• Depending on the case, a topical cream with antiallergic drugs, analgesics, or corticosteroids may be necessary.
• More serious issues may require oral or intravenous corticosteroids.

Drug skin rash

Some medications can cause a reaction all over the skin. Some antibiotics and diuretics are the most common culprits. The problem usually begins within the first week of taking the new drug.

Small reddish spots appear on the skin that can merge until they occupy practically all the skin in severe cases. The lesions are usually itchy and can appear or worsen with sun exposure, especially those that depend on some antibiotics.

It is important not to confuse it with reactions typical of viruses with antibiotics. When an antibiotic is taken in case of mononucleosis, for example, reddish spots may appear that have nothing to do with an allergy.

Treatment

• Stopping the drug may be enough to clear the rash, but be aware that this may take time.
• It may be necessary to use antiallergic drugs or corticosteroids, sometimes topical and sometimes by mouth.
• There are severe cases where it can be life-threatening, often very rapid reactions after ingestion of the drug.

Heat rashes

Lesions may appear on skin exposed to heat. It usually happens when two factors occur:

• High temperatures.
• Impossibility of sweat and ventilation of the skin: due to too high humidity of the environment or excess clothing.

The lesions are usually reddish, itchy, or prickly, or they may appear as small blisters with fluid. This is known as malaria.

Treatment

• This problem can be prevented by wearing loose, lightweight clothing and avoiding exposure to excessive heat.
• Often when the affected skin cools, the skin improves.

In the following article, we expand the information on Why heat rash occurs and how to remove it.

Intertrigo

Intertrigo is the redness that occurs in the most humid areas of the skin, such as the groin, armpits, or under the breasts.

There may be pain and itching. If a fungal or bacterial infection is added, which is quite common, ulcerated and painful lesions can appear.

It is widespread in overweight people.

Treatment

• Keeping the skin clean and dry is essential for a speedy recovery. It is necessary to clean the area with neutral or hypoallergenic soaps, dry well, and apply talcum powder as naturally as possible. That helps prevent moisture build-up.
• If there is an infection, antibiotics or antifungals may be necessary.

Inflammatory diseases that cause skin rashes

There are some diseases that chronic inflammation has in common. They usually manifest on the skin directly and can sometimes affect other organs.

Lichen planus

They are purple lesions that itch or burn a lot. They can appear both on the skin and mucous membranes; in the latter, they manifest as whitish spots.

It is usually chronic; the lesions can be present for years.

Home remedies such as cold compresses or aloe vera can be used to treat this disease, but if the symptoms are severe, medications that decrease inflammation may be required.

Psoriasis

This disease usually presents as red, scaly, silver-colored plaques typically very itchy. They appear in outbreaks, that is to say, that alternate period in which the skin is relatively well and others where the eruptions are frequent and annoying.

Several areas of the skin can be affected simultaneously, depending on the type of psoriasis. Nails and joints can also suffer.

Treatment of this disease will depend on the severity of the symptoms. It can range from topical creams and shampoos to the need to use drugs that regulate the immune system.

It is beneficial to hydrate the skin with soft and natural products.

Infections that lead to a skin rash

Some types of infections occur with skin rashes; among them, we find:

Yeast infections

Better known as ringworms, fungal skin infections can manifest as red, itchy, burning rashes. A typical and localized case is the athlete’s foot.

They are spread by direct contact with infected people.

Treatment reduces the humidity in the affected area and uses local antifungals. This is usually sufficient in a person with high defenses.

Viral infections

Multiple viruses are favored for causing skin rashes. It is the case of:

• Herpes zoster virus / chickenpox.
• Measles virus.
• Rubella virus.
• Parvovirus (Fifth disease).
• Coxsackie A (Foot-hand-mouth disease)

Before the red rash, most present with malaise, fever, and respiratory (cold-like) symptoms. The rash has its variations depending on the cause is one or another virus. Often there is itching.

Treatment is usually symptomatic, as they typically have a limited period of evolution in otherwise healthy people.

Bacterial infections

Often scratching or skin lesions are the gateway for bacteria. This can lead to superficial skin infections. It is usually worse in people with low defenses, such as diabetics, since it can be severe if not treated in time.

Antibiotics, sometimes local and sometimes by mouth, are needed to treat these infections.

Rosacea skin rash

Rosacea is a chronic skin redness of the face. Sometimes, injuries can appear before certain stimuli such as:

• Extreme temperatures.
• Sun exposure.
• Nervousness.
• Alcohol.
• Spicy
• Some foods.

Treatment

• Some topical creams can improve this predisposition. Redness drugs, antibiotics, and even acne medications can be used.
• Keeping the skin hydrated and avoiding triggers as much as possible is essential.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Types of skin rashes, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category .