1. Remove the Irritant
Mild skin rashes are often caused by an allergic reaction to a product you've used like soap. They may be caused by an allergy to a certain type of fabric. Treating these types of rashes is easy. Remove the irritant. Over-the-counter creams like hydrocortisone cream may relieve any itching. Some rashes, like the Christmas tree rash or pityriasis rosea, affects young adults and usually clears up on its own within 6 weeks without treatment.
2. Recognizing Life Threatening Skin Rashes
Some rashes can be life-threatening and you need to recognize them before getting them treated. Signs that you have a dangerous rash could include a rash all over your body including the mucus membranes of the eyes, anus, mouth, nose, vagina or urethra in both men and women. Rashes with many small (usually less than half an inch) blisters or large blisters well over an inch wide can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. Serious rashes can be caused by a severe allergic reaction, poisonous by-products of an infection or a disorder of the immune system. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an example of an serious rash caused by an allergic reaction. Staph infections can cause poisonous by-product rashes. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a disorder where the body's immune system attacks the proteins in the skin. You need to visit a doctor immediately if you suspect you have one of these rashes.
3. Gentle Care for the Itch
Don't scrub your skin and try your best not to scratch the skin rash. Use warm water when you clean rash infected skin, not hot or cold water which can further irritate the skin. Expose the irritated skin to air as much as possible. Avoid applying perfumed or cosmetic lotions to the rash in an attempt to moisturize the dry skin. Calamine lotion works well to treat skin rashes caused by poison ivy and poison oak.
4. Questioned by the Doctor
If you're concerned about the rash you have, be prepared to provide your doctor with some specific information when you visit with him. Your doctor will want to know when the rash began, where the affected areas are, changes in the rash condition and the severity of the rash. He will also want to know if you've used any new products in your home or skin lately, if you've changed your medications, and if you've eaten anything different. You'll be asked if you've been in the woods lately or had a tick or insect bite. Your doctor will also likely want to know if your rash produced scales.
5. Testing the Skin Rash
Your doctor may order some tests to help diagnose and treat a skin rash you're worried about. Tests could include a skin biopsy, skin scrapings, allergy tests and blood tests.
