People of all ages can experience a skin rash. Also known as dermatitis, a rash is any area of skin that is red and irritated – rashes can also be itchy. A rash can have any number of causes, from contact with an irritant to infections. Treatment for skin rashes depends largely on the underlying cause of the rash and the severity of its symptoms. Your dermatologist can perform a rash evaluation to determine the skin rash causes and prescribe an effective rash treatment.
Rashes are eruptions in the skin that can take many different forms. Redness, itching, and scaling are the most common symptoms that one may experience, however burning, pain, blisters, pustules, weeping, and welts may also occur. Some rashes have an infectious cause, some are due to allergic reactions, and others may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Skin rash causes can include:
Here is a list of the most common rashes we encounter at the Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery:
In many cases, a rash may be diagnosed through physical examination alone, however, there are many tools available to aid in correctly identifying a skin eruption. These would include skin biopsies, cultures for bacteria, fungi, and viruses, microscopic examination of skin scrapings, and blood tests. If you are experiencing a troubling rash, please schedule a medical provider for evaluation. Urgent appointments are available for those suffering from rapidly evolving or extremely uncomfortable eruptions.
Dermatologists use a variety of tests and assessments to perform a rash evaluation. The type of test your dermatologist performs depends on your symptoms and health history.
Your dermatologist may perform a patch test to determine if your rash is the result of allergic contact dermatitis. In this test, your dermatologist places small patches, which look like adhesive bandages, on your skin. The patches contain several different substances that are likely to cause skin reactions. Your dermatologist will recommend that you wear the patches for 48 to 96 hours before returning to the office, where your dermatologist will remove the patches to look for signs of irritation.
A rash evaluation may include blood tests to check for infections. Your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy, in which they remove a small area of skin for evaluation in a medical laboratory.
Rash treatment depends largely on the findings of the rash evaluation. Treatment for rashes from infectious diseases focuses on treating the infection, along with calamine lotion or prescription lotions or creams to alleviate symptoms. Treatment for eczema and atopic dermatitis may include medication, proper skin care, and avoiding the substances that trigger rashes and other symptoms.