What is a Rash?
A rash can appear on the skin for many different reasons. It can be localized to a specific part of the body or affect the entire body. Rashes are a change in the skin that affect the color, appearance, or texture and can become itchy, warm, bumpy, dry, blistered, cracked, or painful. Because of the numerous variations in rashes, the causes and the treatments vary drastically and diagnosis can confirm numerous conditions.
Causes:
While the cause of a rash can vary from person to person, there are many common diagnoses that make a rash form, including:
- Food allergies
- Allergies
- Skin contact with an irritant (irritating dermatitis)
- Contact Dermatitis
- Side effects to medication
- Reaction to a vaccine
- Hygiene
- Eczema
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Sunlight
- Heat
- Friction
- Pregnancy
Treatment:
Most rashes are easily diagnosed and treated with a topical steroid cream that can be found over the counter. While topical creams, such as hydrocortisone, can be a remedy, it will only clear the top layer of the skin and will not penetrate through the skin. If the rash is more than a mild case, additional treatments may be discussed.