1. When it Only Looks Like a Rash
Some skin rashes aren't rashes at all, though they may seem that way if you look in the mirror and see a face full of red pustules. Rosacea appears as a reddened skin covered with bumps that are flat or filled with pus. Menopause and hormonal problems, steroids and stress contribute to this condition. Psoriasis, caused by excessively dry skin, manifests itself as itchy red patches on the scalp and other parts of the body. Likewise, eczema targets people with a history of family allergies. Over the counter medications relieve symptoms in most cases, but consult your doctor if the condition worsens after self-treatment.
2. Look at the Bigger Picture
In rare instances, skin rashes indicate a systemic illness. If your rash persists and gets worse while presenting other symptoms, it may be a sign of lupus. Lupus related rashes begin with a sunburn-like redness on the cheeks, or it may manifest itself as a rash on the scalp that leads to hair loss. Ticks can jump from plants, deer and other animals to bite humans and infect them with Lyme Disease . Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, swollen lymph glands and a circular red rash similar to a bruise that expands over time.
3. Everyday Skin Culprits
If you're an avid camper or hiker, watch out for insect bites, poison oak and ivy or too much sun. Insects and wild plants may cause nasty rashes that can spread quickly if you scratch them. Wash the skin with soap and water, apply an antihistamine like Benydrel or calamine lotion to quell itching. If you have sensitive skin, certain household cleaning solutions or hair dye can cause rashes. Clean with hot water, hydrocortisone solution and Burrows cream at home.
4. Keep Your Flip-Flops On
Virus and fungi cause many skin rashes, including athletes foot (from moist surfaces like locker room floors, wet socks and shoes), jock itch (caused by friction between skin folds in the genital area) and cellulitis (spurred by the growth of the Staph virus). While you can treat athlete's foot and jock itch with over the counter powders and salves, cellulitis requires antibiotics and, occasionally, hospitalization if the inflamed area becomes painful and swollen.
5. More Than Skin Deep
Rashes can indicate a few rare but serious conditions. Toxic shock syndrome was first discovered in the 1980s, and it can be caused by leaving a tampopn, contraceptive sponge or diaphragm inside your vagina for too long. A rash on the body may be accompanied by a high fever, headaches, muscles aches and eye redness. If you present any of these symptoms, seek medical help. The condition, left unchecked, can be fatal. Pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune disorder, causes the body to mistake proteins for foreign objects and attack them. It causes painful blisters all over the body, even inside the mouth. This condition is treated with antibiotic creams, IV antibiotics and numbing ointments.
