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Medical Encyclopedia

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Rashes

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Poison oak rash on the arm
Poison oak rash on the arm
Erythema toxicum on the foot
Erythema toxicum on the foot
Acrodermatitis
Acrodermatitis
Roseola
Roseola
Shingles
Shingles
Cellulitis
Cellulitis
Erythema annulare centrifugum - close-up
Erythema annulare centrifugum - close-up
Psoriasis, guttate on the arms and chest
Psoriasis, guttate on the arms and chest
Psoriasis, guttate on the cheek
Psoriasis, guttate on the cheek
Systemic lupus erythematosus rash on the face
Systemic lupus erythematosus rash on the face
Poison ivy on the knee
Poison ivy on the knee
Poison ivy on the leg
Poison ivy on the leg
Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands
Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands
Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm
Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm
Erythema multiforme on the leg
Erythema multiforme on the leg

Alternative Names    Return to top

Skin redness or inflammation; Skin lesion; Rubor; Skin rash; Erythema

Definition    Return to top

Rashes involve changes in the color or texture of your skin.

Considerations    Return to top

Often, the cause of a rash can be determined from its visible characteristics and other symptoms.

Causes    Return to top

A simple rash is called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is caused by things your skin touches, such as:

Seborrheic dermatitis is a rash that appears in patches of redness and scaling around the eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, nose, the trunk, and behind the ears. If it happens on your scalp, it is called dandruff in adults and cradle cap in infants.

Age, stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampooing, and alcohol-based lotions aggravate this harmless but bothersome condition.

Other common causes of a rash include:

Many medical conditions can cause a rash as well. For example:

Home Care    Return to top

Most simple rashes will improve with gentle skin care and avoiding irritating substances. Follow these general guidelines:

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, or shingles.

For psoriasis, you may need a prescription. You could also talk to your doctor about ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. It is safest to have such treatment under medical supervision. However, not all clinics or hospitals offer light therapy. Home units are available, but the cost is not always covered by insurance. If you do purchase a home unit, look for a device that delivers narrow band UVB light.

For seborrheic dermatitis, try applying small amounts of anti-dandruff shampoo to patches of this scaly rash on your skin, especially near hairy areas like your eyebrows. Leave on for 10 minutes and then carefully rinse off. If the shampoo feels irritating or your skin becomes redder, STOP use.

For impetigo, an antibacterial cream or oral antibiotic is generally prescribed.

See article on poison ivy, oak, and sumac to learn how to treat and prevent this type of contact dermatitis.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call 911 if:

Call your health care provider if:

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

Your doctor will perform a physical examination. He or she will ask questions about your medical conditions, medications, health problems that run in your family, and recent illnesses or exposures. Questions may include:

Tests may include:

Depending on the cause of your rash, treatments may include medicated creams or lotions, medications taken by mouth, or skin surgery.

Many primary care doctors are comfortable dealing with common rashes, but for more complicated skin disorders, a referral to a dermatologist may be necessary.

Prevention    Return to top

References    Return to top

Auerback PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.

Update Date: 7/18/2007

Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.