What Causes Infectious Rashes
Skin rashes have an exhaustive list of potential causes, including infections. In a broad sense, rashes are commonly categorized as infectious or noninfectious.
Causes of infectious rashes include:
Fungal
- Trichophyton is a type of skin fungus that commonly causes rashes of the skin, hair, and nails. This infectious rash is called tinea or ringworm. It may occur on any body surface.
- Candida can cause common yeast infections in moist areas like between the fingers, in the mouth, vaginal area, and also in the groin folds. It would be unusual to have a Candida rash in a dry body area.
- Other much less common fungal infections include cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and histoplasmosis. These are fairly uncommon in healthy people and are more frequently seen in individuals with a compromised immune system as in HIV/AIDS, immune suppression due to cancerchemotherapy, and patients on long-term immunosuppression because of organ transplant or hematologic diseases.
Viral
- Herpes simplex types I and II may cause infections of the lips, nose, facial skin, genitals, and buttocks. HSV infections may also cause erythema multiforme , which is characterized by tender bull’s eye-like targets on the palms, usually corresponding to an HSV flare.
Parasitic
Scabies is a very itchy, contagious superficial skin infestation with a microscopic mite.Lice infestations may cause different types of itchy rashes in the affected areas like the scalp and nape of the neck or pubic area.
Noninfectious Rashes
Reasons Your Skin Itches Uncontrollably And How To Get Relief
When your skin itches, you may have a rash however, you can have intensely itchy skin and see nothing on your skin.
Mosquito bites, chickenpox, and poison ivy arent the only reasons for itchy skin. See what else may be causing your itch and what can bring relief.
Very dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be intensely itchy.How to get relief: Dermatologists offer these tips for relieving dry skin at, Dry skin: Tips for managing.
Bug bites. When a mosquito bites you, the cause of your itchy skin is usually obvious, and the itch tends to go away quickly. When bugs live on your skin or feed on you every night, the itch can be long-lasting and uncontrollable. Bugs that can cause long-lasting itch, include bed bugs, lice, and mites .How to get relief: You can find out what these bug bites look like and how to get rid of the itch at:
How to get relief:
Skin cancer. For many people, the only sign of skin cancer is a new or changing spot on their skin. Sometimes, that spot also itches and can be the only reason a person notices the spot.How to get relief:See a board-certified dermatologist to find out if you have skin cancer. If you have skin cancer, treating it can get rid of the itch.
Warning sign of a disease inside your body. Long-standing itch can be a sign of several diseases, including:
How to get relief:
What Is A Rash
A rash is a temporary eruption or discoloration of the skin and is often inflamed or swollen. Rashes come in many forms and levels of severity, and they last for different amounts of time. Some common causes of rashes include the following.
Infections
This broad category covers a wide range of illnesses, including:
- Viral infections, such as measles, rubella, roseola, fifth disease, varicella zoster, herpes or shingles
- Bacterial infections, such as impetigo, scarlet fever or Lyme disease
-
Fungal infections, such as jock itch
-
Many others
These can be triggered by:
- Medications, including antibiotics, seizure medications and diuretics
- Topical skin products, such as cosmetics, perfumes or skin creams
- Foods, especially peanuts, seafood and eggs
-
Insect stings
Local irritants
This category includes diaper rash and rashes caused by contact with harsh chemicals, such as laundry soaps and fabric softeners.
Poisonous plants
Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac share a highly allergenic sap resin that can cause allergic rashes in 70% of people exposed to it.
Autoimmune disorders
This category includes systemic lupus erythematosus , dermatomyositis and scleroderma, disorders in which the body’s immune defenses mistakenly attack healthy areas of the body, including the skin.
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Rash 101 In Adults: When To Seek Medical Treatment
Rash 101: When to seek medical treatment
Rashes can appear as blotches, welts, or blisters. Find out when you need to see a dermatologist for medical treatment.
To the untrained eye, all rashes may look alike and seem easily treatable with over-the-counter oral antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream. However, it is not always so simple, say dermatologists. Rashes can appear as blotches, welts, or blisters they can be red, itchy, scaly, or dry and they can occur in one area of skin or all over the body. In addition, some rashes may come and go, while others never seem to go away.
Although most rashes are not life-threatening, some rashes can signal something more serious. If you have a rash and notice any of the following symptoms, see a board-certified dermatologist or go to the emergency room immediately:
The rash is all over your body. A rash that covers the body could indicate something concerning, such as an infection or allergic reaction.
You have a fever with the rash. If this is the case, go to the emergency room. This could be caused by an allergic reaction or an infection. Examples of rashes caused by infection include scarlet fever, measles, mononucleosis, and shingles.
The rash is sudden and spreads rapidly. This could be the result of an allergy. Allergies to medications are common, and some can be serious. If breathing becomes difficult, go to the emergency room or call 911.
The rash is painful. Painful rashes should quickly be evaluated by a physician.
How To Get Rid Of A Rash: 6 Home Remedies
No matter your age, youve probably experienced a rash at some point in your life, but do you know how to get rid of a rash? Rashes come in so many varieties. Sometimes the reason may be obvious while other times it can be really hard to put your finger on the root cause. Rashes can be caused by an allergen or food irritant, clothing or household chemicals. Medications, poor digestion, or illness may also cause rashes or hives.
Some rashes come out of nowhere while others take several days to form on your skin. How long does it take for a rash to go away? Well, it depends on a few factors including what type of rash it is and how quickly the inflammation can be reduced. Some will go away as quickly as they appeared while others may linger for longer periods of time. The good news is there are many natural rash home remedies that can work fast without adverse side effects. If youre experiencing a rash this very moment, Im sure youre eager to know how to get rid of a rash fast!
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When Adults Get It
You might notice itchy patches on the hands, elbows, and in the “bending” areas of the body, such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. But eczema can appear anywhere, including the neck, chest, and eyelids. People who had atopic dermatitis as a child may see drier, scaly rashes as adults. The skin may be discolored or thickened.
What Are Treatment Options For A Rash
In general, most noninfectious rashes are usually treated symptomatically and often with cortisone creams and/or pills. Infection-associated rashes are frequently treated by addressing the underlying infection. Some treatments, such as oatmeal baths, may help control the itching of both infectious and noninfectious rashes.
Infectious Rashes
- Fungal
- Tinea or ringworm infections of the skin, hair, and nails are treated by topical and/or oral antifungal medications like terbinafine.
- Candida infections are treated with topical antifungal medications like clotrimazole and sometimes with oral antifungal drugs like fluconazole . Nystatin will not treat ringworm, nor will griseofulvin treat yeast.
- Atypical fungal infections, including cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and histoplasmosis, are generally treated with an oral or intravenous course of special antifungal medications.
Noninfectious Rashes
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How To Tell If A Rash Needs Medical Attention
- If the rash is growing rapidly or if you have rashes all over your body
- If you have a fever with the rash
- If you notice any oozing or development of bumps/inflammation on or around the rash
- If the rash is painful
- If the rash is oozing colored liquids and is infected
- If you experience any of these, book an appointment with your dermatologist.
Itchy Skin At Night: Causes And Treatment
06/30/20228 min read
Every evening, like clockwork, it’s the same old thing. You get pajamas on and crawl into bed. But before you can get comfortable and fall asleep, you start feeling an itch deep within your skin. You try to ignore your itchy skin at night, willing it to go away.
Unfortunately, it never disappears, no matter how long you try to fight it. Eventually, your willpower runs out, so you give in and start scratching.
This cycle of itching and scratching can be maddening, not to mention disruptive to a good night’s sleep. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. Itchy skin at night is a common problem with many different causes.
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Preventions For Skin Rashes
- Keep the affected area clean by washing it with a natural cleanser.
- Sweat and wetness increase irritation and itching in skin rashes, so stay away from them.
- Drink sufficient water to keep your system and skin hydrated.
- Avoid wearing tight and skin-hugging clothes in hot and humid weather.
- If you are in a tropical area, wear cotton clothes instead of synthetic or thick fabric-based attires.
- Take a bath every day and moisturize your skin regularly with chemical-free products.
About Skin Rashes In Children
Childhood rashes are common and aren’t usually a cause for concern. Most rashes are harmless and disappear without the need for treatment.
However, see your GP if your child has a rash and seems unwell, or if you’re worried. They’ll be able to investigate the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.
This page may give you a better idea about what could be causing the rash, but don’t use this to self-diagnose your child’s condition always see a GP for a proper diagnosis.
The most common causes of rashes in children are:
Although meningitis has become less common over recent years, it’s important to be aware of the rash and the other signs and symptoms of meningitis.
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Helping Your Child Feel Better
If your child has eczema, keep their fingernails short and their skin moisturized. Dress them in loose-fitting clothes and make sure they don’t get overheated. Depending on how severe their eczema is, your doctor may recommend wet wraps, a diluted bleach bath, over-the-counter or prescription medications, and/or light therapy to help.
How To Prevent Rashes
- Avoid strong substances that may irritate the skin and make it more susceptible to injury and rashes. Avoid letting a child wear tight-fitting clothing that can irritate the skin.
- With eczema, dry skin is causing the itch. Frequent use of moisturizing creams and oil baths will soften the skin. Cut your child’s nails short to prevent scratching injuries and skin damage. Certain foods can aggravate atopic eczema in children, so identify and avoid them if possible.
- Change diapers frequently and apply good general hygiene to prevent diaper rashes.
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When To Call The Doctor For A Rash
Always contact 911 or the doctor immediately if your child:
- Has a high fever, headache, sore throat, or vomiting in addition to the rash.
- Has a rash close to the eyes or one that affects the eyes.
- Has a rash that has become infected with bacteria or fungi.
- Has eaten food or taken a new medicine before a rash developed.
- Has a fever as well as purplish patches or tiny red dots that do not blanch, which may be a sign of sepsis and meningitis.
- Has an intensely red rash that is very tender to the touch, which may be a sign of cellulitis.
- Has impetigo, which is commonly a secondary bacterial infection of the skin.
- Has the bullseye rash associated with Lyme disease.
- Has hives with simultaneous face swelling and breathing or swallowing difficulties, which may indicate an anaphylactic reaction.
- Has a rash that has persisted for more than three days, regardless of the cause.
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Rash And Skin Disorders
A rash is an area of swollen, irritated skin that manifests in different patterns and varying shades of red, purple or brown. Some rashes are caused by allergic reactions to the environment, food or medications, while others appear because of a skin disorder or underlying disease or infection. Some clear up on their own, but others are chronic and require treatment to control symptoms.
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When To See A Doctor
Most rashes are not life threatening. Often, you can treat them with over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines. However, sometimes you really do need to see a doctor. If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek professional help:
- The rash is all over your body.
- You are also running a fever.
- Your rash appeared suddenly and is spreading quickly.
- The rash is blistering or painful.
- Your rash is infected and is turning yellow or green.
- If the rash has been bothering you for a long time and affecting your quality of life.
How To Treat Hand Foot And Mouth Disease Yourself
You cannot take antibiotics or medicines to cure hand, foot and mouth disease. It usually gets better on its own in 7 to 10 days.
To help the symptoms:
- drink fluids to prevent dehydration avoid acidic drinks, such as fruit juice
- eat soft foods like yoghurt avoid hot and spicy foods
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease a sore mouth or throat
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How Is A Skin Infection Diagnosed
A good medical exam is the best way to determine what is causing a skin infection. Often, doctors can identify the type of skin infection based on the appearance and location.
Your doctor may ask about your symptoms and closely examine any bumps, rashes, or lesions. For example, ringworm often causes a distinct circular, scaly rash. In other cases, a sample of skin cells can help your doctor determine the type of infection.
Causes For Skin Rashes And Itching
Skin rashes and itching may affect your complete body or a small local spot. The severity of this condition varies according to the cause behind it. Here is a generalized view of the causes behind skin rashes:
- Skin Conditions: Skin conditions like eczema, dermatographism, eczema, and dermatitis may result in rashes and itching. Also, skin infections like scabies, pinworms, lice, mites, bed bugs, fungal rashes, measles, and chickenpox are common causes of rashes and itching.
- Irritants: Specific substances like poison ivy, a substance released from insect bites, and allergies like food allergies may result in itching and skin rashes.
- Internal Disorders: Serious internal disorders like kidney failure, lymphoma, thyroid disease, leukaemia, anaemia, cirrhosis, or bile duct obstruction may result in generalized itching and skin rashes.
- Disorders Related To Nervous System: Certain nerve-related diseases like neuropathy, shingles, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes can also lead to skin problems.
- Medications: Antifungal and antibiotic medications often cause widespread itching and rashes. Anticonvulsant and pain relievers are also included in this category of causes.
- Pregnancy: Though it is not common, some women experience itching and rashes due to hormonal surge during pregnancy. It may be due to some preexisting condition sometimes which gets worse due to pregnancy.
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What Can I Expect If I Have Dry Skin
Most people can successfully treat dry skin by using a daily moisturizer and taking proactive steps like minimizing exposure to hot temperatures and other irritants. Its a good idea to take care of dry skin for your overall health. Rough, dry skin can feel uncomfortable and if your skin gets too dry, it can crack and break open, which makes you more prone to infection.
Check If You Have Scarlet Fever
The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands .
A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper.
The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults.
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