There are many reasons for skin rashes to occur even though the skin itself is the first protective layer of the body. Skin is resistant to many irritants, but still at times reacts to certain parasites, viruses, fungi, heat and medications. All of these irritants can cause a skin rash, and usually the way it looks will name what caused it. Sometimes rashes clear up on their own while others take time, a little tender loving care and the right medicine to make it vanish.
Eczema
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common inflammation of the skin that occurs in the folds of the neck, elbows and back of your knees. This type of rash has been known to occur in back of the ears also as a crusty, irritated area. It tends to act up sporadically on its own, although food allergies have been associated with it as well. This type of rash is very itchy. Avoiding soaps that are irritating to the skin is helpful. Treatments for the condition, the Mayo Clinic reports, include topical and oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, oral antihistamines and drugs that affect the immune system.
Christmas Tree Rash
A condition called the Christmas tree rash or pityriasis rosea occurs on the midline of the spine of front of the body and spreads outward as if it portrayed the branches of a pine tree. It is a fine, scaly rash and ranges in color from tan to pinkish yellow. This rash typically goes away on its own after four to six weeks but may last months. Treatments may include phototherapy in which sunlight or an ultraviolet light source is used, or by oral antihistamines. Another solution for the symptoms is steroid ointments and creams.
Contact Dermatitis
The most common irritation of the skin is called contact dermatitis. It is a rash caused by contact with a surface that is irritating to the skin. These irritants may include cosmetics, soap, jewelry and weeds such as poison oak or poison ivy. By avoiding the area of irritation, the contact dermatitis will stop and heal on its own. Sometimes hydrocortisone cream, a topical steroid, is used if the dermatitis is not clearing up on its own. Oral antihistamines or corticosteroids also may help. The look of the dermatitis is scaly skin with red patches in dermatitis A. Dermatitis B is known by the blistering rash and bumps. This type of rash takes at least three weeks to disappear, and it can be very itchy.
