Skin Rashes 101: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

The word "rash" is a general term that refers to an outbreak of bumps on the skin--whether localized or widespread.

One common category of rashes are scaly patches of skin that have not been caused by infection, such as eczema.  The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which is a hereditary problem often beginning in childhood. Atopic dermatitis comes and goes and is often worse in the winter.  When an individual has atopic dermatitis, their skin becomes inflamed and itchy. It also may be cracked and red or begin weeping.

Prescription steroids such as cortisone creams are often used to treat eczema, with milder (or over-the-counter) ones recommended for areas such as the groin or face. For the arms and legs, more potent cortisone creams are usually prescribed.

Another type of rash that is not caused by an infection is contact dermatitis. This kind of rash occurs either from contact with material that causes an allergy on the skin or with something that irritates the skin. Poison ivy/poison oak are two examples of contact dermatitis caused by allergy. Unlike atopic dermatitis, in most cases, contact dermatitis affects only the part of the skin that was touched by the allergy-causing material.

Contact dermatitis treatment involves avoiding the allergen that is causing it, or minimizing whatever exposure is irritating the skin. Topical steroids, such as over-the-counter hydrocortisone as well as prescription-strength creams are common treatments.

The most common causes of infections that appear as rashes are bacterial infections or funguses.  Fungal infections often affect the folds of the skin and are usually very red with pustules.  There are many OTC antifungal creams that can be found at the drugstore, such as Mycelex or Lamisil. If those do not work, prescription creams like Econazole and Nizoral may be helpful.

Impetigo is the most common bacterial infection of the skin, and is more common in children and usually caused by strep or staph germs. As far as treatment, oral antibiotics or prescription-strength creams are usually required.

Other types of rashes include hives, heat rash, allergic drug rash and viral rash.

It is usually not a good idea to diagnose a rash yourself, as proper evaluation of a rash usually calls for a visit to a doctor or health-care professional.

Photo credit: uberculture