1. When It Only Looks Like a Rash
Some skin rashes aren't really 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 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 even after judicious self-treatment.
2. Look at the Bigger Picture
In rare instances, skin rashes indicate a systemic illness. If your rash persists and gets worse in tandem with other symptoms, it may be a sign of lupus. Lupus-related rashes begin with a sunburn-like redness on the cheeks, or the disease may manifest itself as a rash on the scalp that leads to hair loss. Ticks cause Lyme Disease when they jump from deer and other animals to humans. 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 fun in the sun. Insects and wild plants can cause nasty rashes that can spread quickly if you scratch them. Wash the skin with soap and water and 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 a rash. 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 athlete's foot (contracted from moist surfaces like locker-room floors or wet socks and shoes), jock itch (caused by friction of skin folds in the genital area) and cellulitis (spurred by the growth of the Staph virus). While you can easily remedy athlete's foot and jock itch via 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, first discovered in the 1980s as stemming from overuse of certain tampon brands, can also be caused by leaving in a contraceptive sponge or diaphragm for too long. A rash on the body may be accompanied by a high fever, headaches, muscle aches and redness of the eyes. Pemphigus Vulgaris, an autoimmune disorder, causes the body to attack proteins, which it mistakes for foreign objects. It causes painful blisters all over the body, even inside the mouth. Pemphigus Vulgaris is treated with antibiotic creams, IV antibiotics and numbing ointments.
