Rashes can change the color and texture of the skin. They can localize to certain areas of the skin or affect all of the skin with varying symptoms. Rashes can appear as scaly patches, blisters, or itchy red bumps. They may develop immediately or take several days to appear, depending on the cause. A rash may result from irritants, allergies, stress, infections and certain diseases. The cause of body rashes usually depends on severity of symptoms and where the rash appears on the body.
Hives
Hives can appear anywhere on the body and cause troublesome symptoms. The condition occurs from the release of chemicals such as histamine in the body. When these chemicals release into the body, they cause fluids to leak from small blood vessels in the skin and collect under the skin. The result of this process is red, raised and sometimes itchy rashes and bumps. The majority of hives develop because of allergic reactions, but they may also trigger from medications, stress, infections and insect bites. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population will experience hives in their lifetime, and most symptoms go away within a few days to a few weeks, explains the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dermatitis
Various types of dermatitis exist, and each has distinct signs and symptoms. The term dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin that usually involves redness, itching and scaling. Risk factors associated with a diagnosis of dermatitis include genetics, stress, allergies, irritants and underlying medical conditions. Approximately one in five people develop dermatitis at some point in their lives and the condition can be either acute or chronic, according to DermNet NZ. Depending on the type of dermatitis, symptoms can last for a few hours or persist over a long period. Those who experience dermatitis can find relief by speaking to a health care provider and discussing treatment options.
Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a skin rash that occurs most often in the spring and fall. It usually begins as an isolated spot on the chest, abdomen or back called a herald patch, which then spreads. Within a couple of weeks, slightly smaller pink patches appear on the body, including the neck, chest, arms and legs. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology explains the patches often resemble the outline of an evergreen tree and that the rash can last from several weeks to several months. Typically, no permanent scarring results from the condition. The cause of pityriasis rosea is unknown, but experts know that people with internal diseases, allergic reactions and bacterial infections are more susceptible to the condition, notes AOCD.
