Red Blemishes on the Back & Arms After Yard Work

Whether you have a green thumb or not, doing yard work can expose you to a variety of plants, weeds and insects that can cause skin irritation, rashes and bites. Accurately identifying the cause of skin irritation can lead to a quick recovery and prevent it from happening again in the future.

Cause

The cause of red blemishes on the back and arms after yard work can differ, based on the type of yard work that you did as well as your geographical location. Native plants, weeds and insects vary widely, depending on landscape and climate. Irritation on your back and arms could be caused by physical contact with branches, leaves or brush. Plants with thorns or thistles can be especially dangerous. According to SkinCarePhysicians.com, exposure to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema 13. Insect bites can include mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, bees and wasps to name a few.

Signs and Symptoms

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Your back and arms may appear scratched if your skin came in contact with sharp branches, and it is unlikely that there is a regular pattern to the irritation. Signs and symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include itchy, red and swollen skin or dry and bumpy skin and blisters, if the reaction is severe. Insect bites vary in appearance, based on the type of insect that bit you.

Treatment

Check to make sure there are no thorns and thistles embedded in your skin. You may want to use tweezers if you are unable to remove them with your fingers. Wash any scratches or open areas with lukewarm water and mild soap. You may want to apply antibiotic ointment to them and cover them with adhesive bandages to prevent infection.

Prevention

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Sufficient clothing may be the easiest and most effective protection against skin irritation while doing yard work. While it may be uncomfortable to wear long sleeves when it is warm outside, even a thin layer can protect your skin. Wear work gloves as your hands may be the most vulnerable to injury and irritation. Apply sunscreen to any exposed areas of skin and reapply as directed. Use insect repellent to decrease your chances of being bitten. Taking a cold shower can cleanse your skin of irritants.

Considerations

Most red blemishes on the back and arms should resolve on their own within a few days after doing yard work. However, if the blemishes get worse or spread, you should see a dermatologist to see if additional treatment is required. According to MayoClinic.com, if you notice a bull's-eye type rash anywhere on your body, see a doctor as soon as possible as this could be a symptom of Lyme disease 23. Lyme disease is prevalent in heavily wooded areas and is caused by the bite of a deer tick 2. It requires antibiotic treatment and -- the sooner you seek treatment -- the better the outcome.