Most skin rashes aren't a huge cause for concern, but they can be unpleasant. It can be scary when you first notice a skin rash. Rashes can be extremely itchy, annoying and are a common skin ailment.
We’ve compiled a list of 15 common skin rashes everyone should know and be able to identify. Let’s get right into it!
1. Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin disorder that tends to affect people between the ages of 30-50. The symptoms can be managed, but there's no cure for Rosacea. It's believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to causing Rosacea.
Rosacea has four subtypes and each has unique symptoms. However, a common overlapping symptom of this skin condition is a pattern of small, red, and pus-filled bumps on your skin.
2. Impetigo
Impetigo is more than just a rash. It's a contagious skin infection caused by bacteria. This infection will cause red sores on the skin, commonly found clustered around the nose or lips.
Since bacteria cause impetigo, the most effective treatment is antibiotics. Doctors usually prescribe topical antibiotics if only a small area of skin is affected, but oral antibiotics are used in more severe cases.
3. Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin and is very common. Its trademark rash looks like a red worm curled into a circle, which is how it received its name. In addition to that infamous circular rash, ringworm can cause itchiness, blisters, or scaly-looking patches on the skin.
This condition is typically treated with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, such as more frequent washing of bedding and other daily linens or wearing loose clothing in the affected area.
4. Allergic Eczema
Allergic eczema, sometimes known as contact eczema or allergic dermatitis, is a skin rash that occurs when you make contact with an allergen. This rash is often very itchy and can look inflamed, scaly, or raw.
The treatment for allergic eczema varies depending on the severity of your symptoms. The recommended treatment for mild cases is to thoroughly wash the area to remove any trace of the allergen and watch it until it goes away. More severe cases may require prescription-strength ointment to help protect and repair the damaged skin.
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5. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
This common illness is a highly contagious disease caused by a specific genus of viruses. These viruses can spread through contact with someone infected who hasn't washed their hands or through contact with an affected person's bodily fluids, stool, or saliva. This disease is most commonly found in young children but can affect anyone of any age.
This disease commonly goes away on its own after several days. It’s often easily recognizable by the presence of sores on a person’s mouth with an accompanying rash on their hands and feet.
6. Eczema
Eczema can occur during any stage of life but usually begins in infancy or early childhood. It’s characterized by red, itchy, and dry skin that can appear on any area of the body.
There are many types of eczema, which can make it tricky to treat. Some over-the-counter medications may be suggested, and prescription strength creams may be given to patients with severe symptoms.
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7. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral infection and used to be very common in children, although cases have declined since a vaccine was introduced in the mid-1990s. Chickenpox causes red, itchy blisters all over a person's body.
This disease has no cure. Patients are usually recommended to manage their symptoms at home until the virus works its way through their systems. Complications can arise in more vulnerable people (elderly, children, and pregnant women), and antiviral drugs can be administered if necessary.
8. Shingles
Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in their system. Sometimes, the virus reawakens, which is when a person becomes affected by shingles.
This disease is easily recognized by the patient having stripes of red, painful blisters along one side of their body. Most cases of shingles will clear up within 3-5 weeks.
9. Drug Allergy
Experiencing an allergic reaction to a drug can cause a rash, fever, and trouble breathing. Genuine allergic reactions to drugs aren't particularly common. Only 5-10% of people who react negatively to a drug have a true allergy. The rest are simply experiencing a side effect of the medication.
The only way to alleviate a drug allergy-related rash is to stop taking the drug. If your reaction is severe and persists, then you should seek medical attention.
10. Measles
Measles is a potentially fatal viral infection that takes root in the respiratory system. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, many deaths still occur from measles each year.
The disease causes a notable rash that begins on a person’s head, then envelopes the rest of their body. Other common symptoms include flu-like symptoms and white spots inside the mouth. This virus and its symptoms usually disappear after a few weeks.
11. Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is an infection that develops in people who have strep throat. It’s named after its most prominent symptom- a scarlet-colored rash. This rash is often accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms such as a fever and sore throat.
This infection will clear up sooner when antibiotics are administered. It can affect anyone, but usually affects children between the ages of 5-15.
12. Seborrheic Eczema
Seborrheic eczema is a condition that mainly affects someone's scalp, although it can also develop on other oily parts of the body such as the back, face and chest. This eczema is often seen in infants and referred to as 'cradle cap.' It will usually fade and clear up on its own in infants.
The treatment for seborrheic eczema can usually be done at home. SCALP SOOTHER can help manage the symptoms of this condition.
13. Tick Bite
Tick bites are incredibly common and can be very dangerous. Ticks carry nasty diseases, such as Lyme disease, that can cause serious medical problems and even be fatal if not properly treated.
Often, you'll know you've been bit by a tick when you find a tick attached to your body. Other symptoms include a red rash, blisters, pain, swelling, or burning at the bitten area. You should contact a doctor when bitten by a tick, even if you aren't experiencing any symptoms.
14. Scabies
Scabies is a highly contagious condition caused by microscopic mites. These mites reproduce on the surface of your skin, then bury their eggs beneath your skin. This causes an angry red rash that’s often very itchy and painful.
This condition requires medical treatment. You'll be given medication to eliminate the mites and eggs. Your doctor will probably want to give medication to anyone you've had direct contact with as well to prevent the condition from spreading further.
15. Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that is usually very painful. This infection can affect any area of a person's skin, though it usually occurs on the lower legs and feet. The affected skin can appear swollen and red. It may appear purple or gray on people with darker skin tones.
You need to contact a doctor immediately if you have cellulitis symptoms. They'll be able to administer medication to control and eliminate the infection and offer medication for pain management.
Last Thoughts
Being able to identify the cause of a skin rash will allow you the confidence to seek proper treatment for it. We’ve compiled this list of 15 common skin rashes to know & identify to help anyone who needs a quick reference when an unexpected rash pops up.
Do you need reliable skincare products that soothe and protect your skin? Check us out at Soteri Skin to see a full list of our products!