Eczema: Red Dry Itchy Skin Anywhere On The Body
Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be itchy, cracked, red, and sometimes oozy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers, dry skin, and stress. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to and following a regular moisturizing skin care routine. Some topical and oral medications can help ease symptoms.
Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused By Bacteria
Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
How Are Petechiae Treated
Treatment for petechiae varies depending on the cause. For straining or a skin injury, you may not need any treatment. If there is a more serious cause, you may need:
- Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
- Corticosteroids to reduce swelling in the blood vessels.
- Drugs that suppress the immune system.
- Vitamin C supplements.
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When To See A Doctor
Although some of the above-mentioned lesions are harmless, some may lead to serious complications. Timely treatment can prevent these.
One should see a doctor if:
- The red spots cover a large area of the body.
- There is a visible discharge like pus.
- The red spots are accompanied with systemic symptoms like fever, weakness, swollen lymph nodes.
- The spots do not heal.
- You are not sure what is causing them.
Itchy Red Spots On Skin
So, your skin is itchy with bumps? Itchy red spots can happen on your skin for many reasons. When these bumps show up, they can cause unwanted stress or anxiety. Some types of itchy red bumps may resolve spontaneously, while others may require evaluation and management by a board-certified dermatologist. This article lists some of the most common conditions of itchy red bumps and key points to consider.
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Home Remedies To Treat Itchy Red Bumps On Your Skin
Some itchy red bumps stay for a short time some others tend to stay for longer periods. In fact, some skin infections can last a lifetime.
While most rashes can be treated with over-the-counter products like antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams, simple home remedies can relieve symptoms and clear up the unsightly rashes in no time.
When you get a nasty skin rash, here are some remedies you can try out.
- Apply a cold compress on the region of the infection will help reduce the swelling and the urge to itch.
- Using a good moisturizer will prevent your skin from breaking. Apply your moisturizer twice a day immediately after you take your bath.
- Apply hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, or any other anti-itch cream to reduce the urge to itch. Most topical creams are readily available in drug stores or pharmacies.
- If you have sensitive skin, using harsh soaps and detergents could worsen the itchy skin. Instead, use skin-sensitive soaps or unscented detergents.
- Avoid scratching. The itch can be intolerable most times. However, scratching your rash can damage your skin or spread it from one area of your body to another. When you feel itchy, you can distract yourself by exercising or playing a game.
- If your body reacts to extreme temperatures, you can take a lukewarm bath to avoid triggering a rash.
- Avoid substances that irritate your skin.
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What you may see: Typically multiple little pink to flesh-colored bumps with a central white plug can be seen commonly on the extremities, torso and genitalia, although they can also occur on the eyelids. Often these bumps can be confused with pimples. Unlike pimples however, these bumps are caused by a virus and are highly contagious. This means that scratching, picking or rubbing the bumps can spread the virus to other parts of your skin and the germs on your hands and nails can infect the bumps with bacteria making them feel painful and/or contribute to developing a fever. It also requires that affected individuals do not share towels or personal items that touch affected areas. Of note, while this condition is commonly seen in children and referred to as swimmers warts, in adults MC is considered a sexually transmitted infection. If a person is immunocompromised for any reason, the virus may spread readily and can be difficult to control and treat. Moreover, if an individual develops recurrent MC infection, it might be a sign that they are immunodeficient.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
Determining whether the red spots on your skin will require a visit to your provider will depend on the appearance and severity of the rash, your medical history, and any underlying conditions you have.
In general, red flag symptoms along with red spots on your skin include:
- Severe pain or swelling
- Pus oozing from the rash
If you have red spots on your skin and “red flag symptoms,” seek medical care right away.
Is Aloe Vera Good For Itchy Skin
First and foremost, aloe vera has cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps it soothe the skin that it is applied on. It is a great at-home way to soothe rashes and itchy skin. To increase its soothing properties, you can keep aloe vera gel in the fridge and apply it to your face when it is cool.
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How Long Will It Take To Get Rid Of Perioral Dermatitis
Expect gradual improvement. This rash tends to clear slowly. It may take a few weeks or a few months to clear completely.
If youre having trouble getting rid of a rash, you can find a board-certified dermatologist by going to: Find a dermatologist.
ImagesImage 1: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
Image 2: Getty Images
ReferencesChamlin SL and Lawley LP. Perioral dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatricks dermatology in general medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, USA, 2008:709-12.
Nguyen V and Eichenfield LF. Periorificial dermatitis in children and adolescents. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006 55:781-5.
Rodríguez-Martín M, Sáez-Rodríguez M, et al. Case letters: Treatment of perioral dermatitis with topical pimecrolimus. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 56:529-30.
Rubella: Small Red Spots All Over The Skin
Another viral skin rash that affects children and young adults is rubella, or German measles. Rubella causes a rash of red skin spots that spreads like chickenpox from the face down. The skin rash can be itchy. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands, headache, and runny nose. There is a vaccine for rubella, and the Centers for Disease Control note that the virus has been eliminated from the United States, but it is still common in other countries. Rubella can be very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause birth defects. Treatment includes rest and acetaminophen to relieve discomfort.
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Red Bumps Trace Your Steps
Outbreaks of itchy red skin bumps are very common and have many different causes. If youre experiencing outbreaks, there are a couple of things you should consider before talking to a doctor. Having these things in mind will help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis.
Itchy Red Bumps What is the cause?
Recent Contact?
First of all, you should think about anything unusual youve come into contact with recently. This list can include both natural materials and artificial ones . Then you should check to see if anything on that list stands out to you: maybe you ate a fruit that you dont normally eat, or used a new soap that you just bought. If something jumps out, its likely that you have allergy related hives.
A remote doctor can confirm a case of allergy related hives in just a few minutes . After getting your case diagnosed, you should ask your primary doctor about getting a blood allergy test. The blood allergy test can look at your sensitivity to hundreds of different allergens and give you a full picture of your allergies. You can use that information to avoid outbreaks in the future.
Disease of Infection?
If your rash doesnt seem related to an outside source, the next most likely cause is a disease or infection. Infection related rashes are easy to spot because they normally come with other symptoms. They also usually appear after contact with an infected person.
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Red Patches On Skin During Pregnancy
Red patches on skin during pregnancy is a quite common occurrence. There are a lot of changes that takes place during pregnancy. All these changes are controlled by natural chemicals called hormones. One common such hormones are progesterone. It is common for pregnant women to all over sudden become allergic to food and drinks she used to take before she was pregnant. This can also be true for some medicine.
An allergic reaction is thus a common cause of redness on the skin. Another such condition is pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. PUPPP is a chronic hive-like rash that strikes some women during pregnancy. The condition will in most cases begin on the abdomen and spread to the legs, feet, arms, chest and neck.
Other possible causes of red patches on skin during pregnancy might include:
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Here Are Some Other Common Types Of Rashes:
- Eczema , also called atopic dermatitis, is a common rash for kids. Eczema can cause dry, chapped, bumpy areas around the elbows and knees or more serious cases of red, scaly, and swollen skin all over the body.
- Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin contact with something irritating, such as a chemical, soap, or detergent. It can be red, swollen, and itchy. Even sunburn can be a kind of irritant dermatitis because it’s red and might itch while it’s healing.
- Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by contact with an allergen . An allergen is something you are allergic to, such as rubber, hair dye, or nickel, a metal found in some jewelry. If you have nickel allergy, you might get a red, scaly, crusty rash wherever the jewelry touched the skin, like around your finger if you were wearing a ring. Urushiol , an oil or resin contained in poison ivy, oak, and sumac, also can cause this kind of rash.
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Treatment For Red Patches On Skin
Treatment for red patches on the skin will vary depending on what the underlying cause of the redness is. For mild cases, natural home care options might be available. Due to this varying causes, it is difficult to offer a general treatment option for red, blotched skin. It is, therefore, important to first diagnose the underlying cause of the redness before you can attempt to get rid of the symptom.
For most cases of skin redness such as eczema, calamine lotion may offer relief for the itching caused by the rash on the skin. If the red skin persists for more than a day, then oral antihistamine may be used. Topical ointments such as anti-itching creams and anti-inflammatories may also be used. For fungal or bacterial infection causing the red patches on the skin, antifungal and antibacterial creams or gel may help in treating the conditions respectively.
As mentioned, the red skin could also be caused by anxiety or high-stress level. If this is the case, then treating the condition will involve adopting relaxation techniques such as slow breathing and other activities such as yoga and meditation.
Aloe Vera a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory may get rid of the redness on the skin by taking down the inflammation and cooling the skin. You will also need to:
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What Are Red Itchy Bumps Or Rashes
A skin rash/bump is an area of skin that has become swollen, inflamed, or irritated. Skin rashes can include skin bumps that look like pimples or sores blotchy, scaly or red skin and itchy or burning skin. Some skin rashes occur right away, while others take some time to develop.
Our skin is also filled with special cells of the immune system. These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. Whenever these cells detect a suspicious substance, they begin a chain reaction in the skin that leads to inflammation. The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. But its more commonly known as a rash or skin bumps.
Meanwhile, you should think about whats causing your red, itchy skin bumps? If theyre on your face, you should definitely pare down your skin-care regimen to just the essentials: mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
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What Can Get Rid Of Perioral Dermatitis
You may be able to get rid of this rash on your own. To clear perioral dermatitis, you must stop applying all corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone cream, to your skin.
This means that if youre applying a:
-
Hydrocortisone cream without your doctors knowledge, stop using it
-
Prescription corticosteroid, ask the doctor who prescribed it if you can stop applying it
If your doctor tells you to keep using a corticosteroid, ask if you can use another medication.
When you stop applying a corticosteroid or hydrocortisone cream, the rash can worsen. If this happens, it can be tempting to start using the cream or ointment again. Dont. Using it again will only bring temporary relief. Each time you stop applying it, the rash can flare.
Its also possible that if you continue to apply the corticosteroid medication, it will eventually cause the rash to worsen each time you apply it.
Continue to apply prescription medication
Before you stop applying a prescription medicine, check with the doctor who prescribed it.
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How Is Heat Rash Treated
Heat rash normally goes away without treatment. However, there are medicines available from a pharmacy to ease the symptoms of itching. These include calamine lotion and antihistamine medicines. Your pharmacist may recommend a low-strength hydrocortisone cream, which is a type of steroid cream used to treat inflammation.
Speak to your pharmacist for further advice and to make sure any medicines you take are suitable for you.
You many need antibiotics if the area becomes infected.
If youre experiencing heat rash, here are some things that may help:
- Cool down to avoid sweating. Try to avoid heat and humidity stay in air conditioning or near a fan, and make sure there is good ventilation.
- Keep the skin dry.
- Try to wear loose cotton clothing which can help prevent you overheating and making the itch worse. Avoid fabrics which irritate your skin, like wool or scratchy fabrics.
- A cool bath or shower may help provide short-term relief from any itching, but excessive showering or bathing should be avoided as this can reduce the natural oils that protect the skin and may make it worse.
How To Determine If A Rash Is Petechial
If youre wondering whether a rash is petechial, you can press a clear glass to the surface of the skin. If the spots disappear under pressure, they are blanching, and therefore not petechiae. If the spots remain even under the pressure of the glass, they are non-blanching and likely petechiae.
Petechial rash is a dangerous situation because it is caused by internal bleeding and often indicates a serious underlying medical condition. Petechiae can be caused by a host of conditions that affect the cardiovascular or circulatory systems, including:
Because many of these are serious disorders that require acute medical care, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child have a pinprick rash that is not itchy.
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Tips For Acne Skin Care
Severe acne can significantly affect a personâs self-esteem and quality of life. While OTC and prescription strength medications can help treat and prevent acne breakouts, there are several ways in which people can manage their acne symptoms at home. These include:
- washing the face gently twice a day
- avoiding excessive washing or exfoliating of the face
- applying an oil-free moisturizer daily
- wearing a noncomedogenic sunscreen
Causes And Types Of Raised Skin Bumps
The most common causes of raised skin bumps are harmless and do not require medical treatment unless you have discomfort. Here are some of the possible reasons for raised skin bumps:
Less commonly, raised skin bumps are caused by more serious conditions that require treatment. Certain bacterial and viral infections cause bumps and will only get worse if they go undiagnosed and untreated. These serious conditions include:
- chickenpox, a common childhood virus characterized by red, itchy bumps that form all over the body
- impetigo, a bacterial skin infection common in young children that is highly contagious and results in reddish blisters that ooze and develop a honey-colored crust
- MRSA infection, an illness triggered by a staph bacteria that commonly lives on the skin, causing a swollen, painful bump with a white center
- scabies, a skin infestation caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, producing an itchy, pimple-like rash
Other types of raised skin bumps can be caused by skin cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, all requiring medical management and treatment:
Most skin bumps are harmless and arent cause for concern. However, you should see your doctor if:
- skin bumps change or worsen in appearance, or last for a long time
- you are in pain or they cause discomfort
- you dont know the cause of the bumps
- you suspect you have an infection or skin cancer
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.
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