Dermatitis is a an inflammatory reaction on the skin, usually due to contact with an irritant, or in response to an allergic reaction. Although not typically life-threatening, dermatitis can be worrisome on more prominent areas of the skin, such...
Poison oak rash is a type of allergic skin rash that causes contact dermatitis. The poison oak's leaves, stems and roots contain an oily substance called urushiol; when urushiol comes in contact with skin, a rash forms. MayoClinic.com states that...
Severe itching due to allergies can sometimes be remedied right at home, especially when it comes to allergic dermatitis. Also referred to as contact dermatitis, this type of allergy is a result of skin exposure to an allergen, which results in...
Whenever your body comes into contact with an irritant, it responds by triggering the desire to itch. Irritants range from common allergens to bug bites, and can occur both externally and internally. People respond differently to potential...
Scabies is an itchy, contagious skin condition caused by the human itch mite, a microscopic creature with a ponderous entomological name, Sarcoptes scabiei. Human scabies symptoms caused by an infestation of the mites occur when at least one...
Itchy skin is a common childhood complaint. Unfortunately, itching the skin usually only makes a rash worse and perpetuates the discomfort. Parents often wonder why their child is itching her skin and what they can do to help relieve the itching....
Skin irritation can have many causes and take many forms, including rashes, itchiness, dryness or sores. Once the cause of the irritation is identified and removed, it may take a day or two for the irritation to completely go away. Several home...
Poison ivy and poison oak produce identical symptoms. Both plants contain the same noxious irritant--urushiol. Urushiol causes contact dermatitis, which is another name for the intense itching and rash that makes sufferers feel like they are going...
Contact dermatitis is an itchy, red rash caused by repeated contact with an irritant or by coming into contact with something to which you are allergic. Examples of irritants can include soaps, detergents or chemicals. Allergens can include...
An eight-legged mite called "Sarcoptes scabiei" burrows into human flesh causing an intense itchy sensation. The skin condition, called scabies, also causes a pimple-like rash. The microscopic mite continues to live and lay eggs under the skin....
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects people of all ages, although it is more common in infants and children than in adults. The condition causes the formation of red, rough, scaly patches on the skin that may weep and itch severely. Eczema is...
Poison sumac is a plant containing urushiol, an oily substance that quickly penetrates the skin upon contact and causes an extremely itchy rash that lasts up to 2 weeks. Approximately 85 percent of people are allergic to urushiol and will develop...
Chiggers are a parasitic insect and closely related to ticks. These small bugs attach themselves to the skin and inject their saliva into your skin's cells. The saliva has a strong digestive enzyme that liquefies the skin cells, allowing them to...
Chickenpox is not usually serious, but for some, it can lead to dangerous complications and hospitalization, according to the Mayo Clinic. The viral disease is highly contagious and causes a red, itchy rash, fever, headache, fatigue and other...
Small red skin botches can be itchy and uncomfortable. They may have a number of causes, such as hives, measles, scabies and insect bites. If you have red skin blotches you should have them diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Grover's disease is a skin condition characterized by intensely itchy red spots on the chest and back, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors suspect Grover's disease is caused by the blockage of sweat glands and the resulting retention of sweat in...
Several skin conditions can cause red bumps on the palms of the hands, including insect bites, contact dermatitis, bacterial infection and impetigo. If you have unusual red bumps on your palms, you should have them diagnosed and treated by your...
Ant bites, though not as common as spider or mosquito bites, can cause redness, localized swelling and in rare cases, an allergic reaction. Teach young children to steer clear of ant piles and clean any bites immediately to avoid infection. Watch...
Over the counter medications do not require a physician's prescription to purchase. These are cheaper medications than prescription medication and it is always cheaper to purchase store brand medications as opposed to name brand. These medications...
Poison sumac plants contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol, which triggers a reaction when it comes in contact with the skin. The sap can live in the ashes of burned sumac plants, on an animal, or on other objects that came in contact...
The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox. After recovering from the chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue near the brain and spinal cord. The virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles, a painful, blistered rash on...
Skin irritation refers to itching, redness, swelling and general discomfort of the skin. There are many potential causes for skin irritation, each requiring different treatments and methods of prevention. A variety of effective remedies exist...
Antihistamines are medications that block your body from releasing histamines, a substance that produces an inflammatory response in your body. People who suffer from seasonal allergies often taken antihistamines to relieve a runny or stuffy nose,...
Treating facial scars is about more than replacing the look of smooth, evenly toned skin. Scars form when a wound damages multiple layers of skin--in addition to cosmetic damage, there may also be muscle, tissue or nerve damage. Surgery can...
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that normally develops during childhood. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, as many as 20 percent of the world's population suffers from some form of eczema. The cause of...
Treatments for insect bites depend on whether an allergy has developed. A sting by a venomous bee, hornet, wasp, fire ant or yellow jacket may create a mild reaction the first time and allergic reactions afterward. Patients don't have to live in...
Itching can be caused by insects, parasites or the presence of a health-related illness. According to Mayoclinic.com, everything from bug bite to skin conditions can cause mild to severe itching. If body itching becomes increasingly painful or...
Dry skin is a normal skin condition that may appear on any part of your body. At times patches of dry skin can be irritating and uncomfortable, especially when on the top of your head or scalp. There are many different causes of dry skin,...
Scabies, according to the Mayo Clinic, is an itchy skin condition caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The mite burrows into the skin, which causes severe itching and thin, tiny blisters or bumps where it has burrowed. Individuals with...
Spider bites can range from harmless to fatal, spiders themselves coming in many varieties. Learn more about spider bites in this health video.
Itch from eczema can be very difficult to withstand. Get expert tips and advice on alleviating eczema itch in this video.
Eczema is a skin disease that causes red, flaky patches. Get expert tips and advice on skin diseases in this medical video.
