About Rashes

There are many conditions that can cause a rash. The most commonly known rashes and skin irritations are poison ivy, hives, athlete’s foot, psoriasis and eczema.

Some of the early signs and symptoms of rashes and skin irritations include scaling, blister formation, skin ulceration, itching, bumps on the skin and discoloration. Common causes for rashes include allergic reactions, side effects of medications, infections and chronic medical conditions.

Rashes are typically grouped into separate categories based on certain characteristics: Macular, papular or maculopapular. Macular rashes are small, flat red patches that are on the surface of the skin while papular rashes are small, raised red bumps. If the objective signs from both rashes are present at the same time, then the rash is referred to as maculopapular. Blisters, itching, and ulcers may accompany present rashes.

Tylenol and Ibuprofen are the most common over-the-counter medications used for pain associated with the rash. If you have a reoccurring rash that won’t seem to go away, contact your dermatologist.

Treatment Options

At-Home Treatment: Warm water, mild cleansers and patting the area dry can be effective at-home treatments for rashes and skin irritations. Taking an oatmeal bath can soothe the itchiness associated with eczema-like rashes.  Using ice or cold compresses can help with itching.

Medications and Topical Creams: Avoiding the urge to scratch the itchiness associated with the rash can be difficult, and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help temper this temptation. In addition, if the rash is associated with chickenpox, poison oak, or poison ivy, calamine lotion can provide relief.  Antihistamines like Benadryl can help relieve some of the symptoms of itching and hives, while topical or internal cortisone steroids are necessary to reduce the inflammation of a severe rash.