Rashes come in all sizes and shapes with numerous causes. You might use home remedies to treat many mild rashes, but Family Doctor.org suggests that you contact a doctor about a rash with dark raised spots, unusual growths or that starts around a mole. Other rash-related symptoms that signal the need for a doctor's visit include yellowish skin, an accompanying fever and headache or a rash on your palms or the soles of your feet. However, if your rash is mild and you have no other physical symptoms, you may use home remedies to ease itching, redness and inflammation.
Step 1
Place a warm compress on a rash consisting of a cluster of small red bumps. Boils sometimes appear in clusters and are similar to pimples. The heat from the warm compress can encourage the boils to come to head and drain, after which the redness should dissipate. If they spread, call your doctor.
Step 2
Wash a rash that develops around a superficial cut or a scrape with warm water and soap. Alternately, rinse with warm saline solution, made by stirring 1 tsp. table salt into 2 cups of warm water. Call you doctor if the wound is deep or if the redness persists or spreads.
Step 3
Bend and bruise a cabbage leaf to soften it and place it over a localized rash caused by eczema. Svetlana Konnikova, author of "Mama's Home Remedies," suggests binding the cabbage leaf securely to the rash with clean gauze. Alternately, press wedges of fresh cabbage through a juicer and use a cotton ball to dab the juice directly onto the rash.
Step 4
Substitute fresh onion for cabbage if the rash is the result of a food allergen. Konnikova recommends slicing an onion thinly and binding it to the affected area.
Step 5
Allow your baby's bottom to air out if he has a diaper rash. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine suggests washing the rash gently with non-irritating soap and warm water and patting dry. Allow the baby to go diaper-less as often as possible. If the rash does not improve within three days or if it is bright red or blisters appear, call your pediatrician.
Step 6
Apply a thin layer of aloe vera to a sunburn rash. Alternately, combine aloe vera gel with oatmeal ground to a powder in your blender to make a thick paste and apply to the rash.
Step 7
Eat more fish and seafood high in essential fatty acids to reduce swelling and itching of mild rashes due to allergens, advises Gale. Include salmon, herring and mackerel. Essential fatty acids might reduce your body's reaction to some allergens.
Things You'll Need
- Warm compress
- Gentle soap
- Cabbage
- Onion
- Aloe vera
- Oatmeal
- Herbs
- Fish
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 3"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Mama's Home Remedies, Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN, 2008
- Medline Plus: Rashes
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