A red, blotchy skin rash can be a symptom of many different things, including allergies, disease or a systemic skin disorder such as psoriasis. Take note of when the rash occurs, whether it recurs, came on suddenly and if it is accompanied by itching or other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.
Identification
Describing your rash will be helpful in coming up with an accurate diagnosis. Check to make sure that the rash is all over your body and not just in specific areas such as the groin or chest or face. Some diseases such as Pityriasis Rosea may have a rash that travels from spot to spot, but is typically found on the back in the shape of a Christmas tree, according to the health-care providers at familydoctor.org. Psoriasis rashes may occur anywhere, but tend to find warm, moist places such as the groin or arm pits to flourish. Check to see if your rash is scaly, itchy, raised, flat and if it is accompanied by aches and pains near the site of the redness, which might indicate rheumatoid arthritis according to MayoClinic.com.
Types
There are many different types of rashes that strike different parts of the body. Contact dermatitis can cause an all-over rash if you've washed your clothes in a new detergent that reacts with your skin. Eczema can cause a dry, itchy rash anywhere on the body and is characterized by flaking and redness. Psoriasis can also strike anywhere and that rash will often ooze and flake as skin plaques fall off according to an article at the Healthy Skin Guide. Additionally diseases such as chicken pox, measles and rubella can cause a rash but they are usually accompanied by a fever.
Solutions
Time will often heal a rash, but there are creams and medications that can help ease the pain or itching if necessary. Add colloidal oatmeal to warm bath water to relieve itching or slather on an additive-free moisturizer to soothe the dry skin of eczema. If your rash is caused by psoriasis, you may need prescription medication such as steroids to heal your skin. Additionally you can avoid triggers for rashes such as cold and dry conditions, smoking, alcohol abuse and injury to the skin.
Time Frame
Most rashes will go away within a few days, especially if they were caused by an allergy or illness. Once the allergen is removed or the virus runs its course, the rash should disappear. However rashes such as eczema and psoriasis tend to recur.
Warning
If your rash recurs frequently or doesn't subside on its own after a few days, seek medical attention. Additionally, if your child has the all-over rash, check with her pediatrician before using any over-the-counter medications or creams as even children who have been vaccinated can still develop diseases such as rubella and chicken pox according to a leaflet distributed by the British Medical Journal.
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