Causes, 71 pictures of symptoms, and treatments

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A rash is defined as a widespread eruption of skin lesions. It is a very broad medical term. Rashes can vary widely in appearance, and causes range from insect bites to HIV and reactions to medications.

A rash can affect one part of the body or cover a large area. Rashes can also be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, or blistered. They can involve pain, itching, and color changes.

Some rashes will clear up on their own, some respond to home remedies, but others might be a sign of something more serious that needs medical attention.

Rashes can happen for many reasons, including skin infections, allergies, and medications. They can also result from bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infections and other diseases.

In this article, learn about 71 possible causes of a rash and see images showing how they might appear.

Allergies and sensitivities to food and other substances can cause skin rashes.

One of the most common causes of rashes — contact dermatitis — occurs when the skin has a reaction to something that it has touched. The skin may become inflamed, and the rash tends to be weepy and oozy.

Common causes include:

• dyes in clothes
• beauty products
• poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and sumac
• chemicals, such as latex or rubber

A food allergy can also cause a rash and other symptoms.

Hives (urticaria) is a rash that often occurs with an allergic or sensitivity reaction. Pruritis is an itchy rash. Hives appear as raised bumps, but on lighter skin, they may also be pink or reddish.

How do hives appear on darker skin tones?

An allergy can also cause swelling, breathing problems, and other symptoms. This may be a sign of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that needs urgent medical attention. It can be life threatening.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• wheezing
• fast, shallow breathing
• a fast heart rate
• clammy skin
• anxiety or confusion
• dizziness
• vomiting
• blue or white lips
• fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone has these symptoms:

1. Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
2. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
3. Lay the person down from a standing position. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
4. Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.

Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5–15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.

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The following slides show pictures of rashes due to contact dermatitis, a hay fever rash, and other allergic and sensitivity reactions. To see all the pictures on one screen, click “view all.”

Certain medications can cause rashes in some people, either as a side effect or an allergic reaction.

Some medications, including certain antibiotics, can also cause photophobia or photosensitivity. This means they make the individual more susceptible to sunlight. The photosensitivity reaction looks similar to a sunburn.

In an allergic reaction, a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the medication as if it were a pathogen. Symptoms vary depending on the individual and the drug but can include:

• a rash, including hives
• itchy skin or eyes
• swelling

Anyone who experiences a drug reaction should contact their doctor. They may need to change the dose or the drug.

If a person has severe symptoms or finds it difficult to breathe, they should call 911 immediately or go straight to the emergency room.

Why does treatment cause side effects?

The images in the slideshow below show some ways medications, vaccines, and allergy testing might affect the skin.

Infections that involve bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites can also cause a rash. These rashes will vary depending on the type of infection. For instance, candidiasis, a common fungal infection, causes an itchy rash that generally appears in skin folds.

Anyone who believes they may have an infection should seek medical advice.

The slides below include pictures of 29 types of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral rashes.

These rashes can appear with:

1. fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)
2. impetigo
3. shingles
4. scarlet fever
5. rheumatic fever
6. mononucleosis (“mono”)
7. measles
8. candidiasis, a yeast infection
9. ringworm
10. rubella
11. meningitis
12. sepsis and septic shock
13. cellulitis
14. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
15. chickenpox
16. toxic shock syndrome
17. hand, foot, and mouth
18. syphilis
19. COVID-19, symptoms of which can include “COVID toes“
20. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a type of bacterial pneumonia
21. erysipelas
22. histoplasmosis
23. lymphangitis
24. HIV rash, which can be an early sign of HIV
25. acrodermatitis, which can happen with late-stage Lyme disease
26. West Nile virus
27. dengue fever
28. hookworm
29. scabies

To see all the pictures, click “view all. ”

An autoimmune disease occurs when an individual’s immune system begins to attack healthy tissue. There are many autoimmune diseases. They can cause symptoms throughout the body, including rashes.

In the following slides, find examples of rashes and skin changes that can occur with:

1. a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis
2. sarcoidosis
3. plaque psoriasis
4. inverse psoriasis
5. erythrodermic psoriasis
6. guttate psoriasis
7. psoriatic arthritis
8. systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus
9. bullous pemphigoid
10. adult-onset Still’s disease

Learn more

Some skin conditions can appear differently on darker skin tones, making misdiagnosis more likely.

• How can psoriasis appear on darker skin?
• How can eczema appear on darker skin?
• What does a lupus rash look like on darker skin?
• How can ringworm, shingles, and other rashes appear on darker skin?

Many insects can cause a rash through a bite or sting. Although the reaction will vary depending on the person and the animal, symptoms often include:

• a rash
• redness, purple, or darkening of the skin, depending on the skin tone
• itching
• pain
• swelling at the site of the bite or sting
• more widespread swelling

Other causes of rashes outdoors include hay fever (seasonal allergy) and exposure to poison ivy and other plants. If a person has a skin reaction to pollen, poison ivy, a jellyfish sting, brown-tail moth caterpillars, and other plants or animals, a doctor may refer to it as contact dermatitis.

The images below show how a skin reaction or rash may affect people after exposure to:

1. wasp sting
2. fleabites
3. poison ivy
4. a brown-tail moth caterpillar
5. stinging nettles or jellyfish
6. grass

What is the difference between fleabites and bed bug bites?

What is a bee sting allergy?

Chemical burns can occur when a person comes in direct contact with a chemical or its fumes, including some household products. Symptoms vary but can include:

• skin that appears black or dead
• irritation or burning in the affected area
• redness or a darkening of the skin, depending on the skin tone
• numbness and pain

Inhaling the fumes could lead to swelling of the throat, lips, and tongue and difficulty breathing.

Some people have a reaction to the perfumes or chemicals in soaps, shampoos, and other products. A doctor may class these types of reactions as contact dermatitis.

The images below show how various exposures can affect the skin.

Other health conditions

A range of other health conditions can involve a rash or skin reaction. They include circulatory problems, hormonal conditions, and others.

The pictures below show examples of rashes due to:

1. Stasis dermatitis
2. Addison’s disease
3. Dermatitis neglecta
4. Dermatomyositis
5. Panniculitis, a complication of gout
6. Ichyosis vulgaris
7. Porphyria
8. Kawasaki disease

Rashes come in many forms and develop for many reasons.

However, some basic measures can speed up recovery and ease some of the discomfort:

• Use mild soap, baby soap, or soap for sensitive skin. Avoid scented soaps.
• Wash in warm water, not hot water.
• Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using moisturizers and emollients.
• Do not cover a rash with a Band-Aid or bandage.
• Do not rub the rash dry. Instead, pat it.
• For a dry rash, for instance, in eczema, use unscented moisturizers.
• Avoid any cosmetics or lotions that may be causing the rash, for instance, newly purchased items.
• Avoid scratching, as scratching increases the risk of infection.
• Ask a pharmacist about over-the-counter cortisone creams to ease itching.
• Calamine can relieve some rashes, such as poison ivy, chickenpox, and poison oak.
• For rashes due to chronic diseases, such as psoriasis, managing stress may help reduce symptoms.

If a rash causes pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be useful. These can help manage symptoms but will not treat the cause of the rash.

It is important to speak with a doctor before taking any medication. Compare brands before purchasing over-the-counter or online products, to ensure the product is suitable.

What are some natural and home remedies for itching?

If a rash occurs with the following features, a person should seek medical advice:

• a sore throat
• pain in joints
• a recent animal or insect bite
• red, purple, or dark streaks near the rash
• tender regions near the rash
• a large collection of pus

Most rashes are not a major cause for concern, but anyone with the following symptoms should seek emergency medical care:

• quickly changing coloration on the skin
• difficulty breathing or feeling like the throat is closing up
• increasing pain or severe pain
• high fever
• confusion
• dizziness
• swelling of the face or extremities
• severe pain in the neck or head
• repeated vomiting or diarrhea

Rashes can appear differently depending on a person’s skin tone, which can affect diagnosis. Here, find out how various rashes may appear in different skin colors.

Rashes can happen for many reasons. Some are mild and need no intervention, while others can be a sign of a severe underlying disorder.

Knowing how to recognize skin changes can help a person access early treatment for conditions that could otherwise lead to severe complications.

Rash on black skin: Pictures, symptoms, and treatments

Rashes can appear differently on different skin tones. For example, a heat rash on darker skin may look like a series of gray or white spots, while many medical sources describe them as red.

It is crucial for medical professionals to understand how health issues can present on the full range of skin tones. A lack of this understanding can lead to misdiagnoses.

It is generally advisable to contact a doctor about any rash that lasts longer than a week. The Skin of Color Society offer a database of dermatologists in the United States who have experience treating conditions in people of color.

In this article, we explore what rashes can look like on skin of color. We also describe the symptoms and treatments of specific issues.

The appearance of a rash varies with skin tone. On skin of color, a rash may be purple, gray, or white — while medical texts often simply describe these rashes as red. Some redness may appear, but typically not very much.

This is due to melanin, a molecule that gives the skin and hair their color. Generally, the more melanin a person has in their skin, the darker their skin tone. It affects how the skin reacts to sunlight, damage, and health conditions that cause rashes.

Some doctors are unaware of how skin conditions present on darker skin. A 2018 study of four major medical textbooks found that darker skin tones were underrepresented in the imagery.

The study’s authors report that while, at the time, 20.4% of the U.S. population was Black, only 4.5% of the photographs in the textbooks showed people with dark skin. They suggest that this is likely an example of racial bias in the healthcare system.

Below, we explore how various health issues can appear in skin of color.

Heat rash, sweat rash, and prickly heat are all common names for miliaria, a skin condition that occurs when the skin’s sweat ducts become blocked.

The symptoms of heat rash include:

• small, raised blisters on the skin
• swelling
• itchiness

On darker skin, the blisters may be gray or white.

This rash often occurs due to heat and humidity, but intense exercise, nonbreathable clothing, and medical dressings can also cause it. The condition typically improves within 1–2 days.

Cooling down, wearing more breathable clothing, and changing or, if recommended, removing dressings can help.

Eczema causes patches of dry, itchy skin, and the affected area may also be flaky or scaly. If the skin is very dry, it may crack or bleed.

In darker skin tones, patches of eczema may be red, pink, magenta, or darker than surrounding skin.

Eczema is also more likely to form in specific ways in people of color. For example, there is a higher chance that the rash may be papular, characterized by a series of small bumps like goosebumps.

There are several types of eczema, including:

Contact dermatitis

This occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant, such as poison ivy, nickel, or fragrance. The skin may itch, sting, burn, or blister.

People with certain jobs have a higher risk of contact dermatitis. These jobs may involve regular contact with chemicals, food, or water. People with a higher risk may include:

• beauticians
• healthcare workers
• plumbers
• people who work in kitchens

Avoiding contact with the trigger, such as a specific chemical, is the best approach. A dermatologist can also describe products that can help and perform skin allergy testing to identify the trigger.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is eczema with no clear cause. The condition often begins in childhood and may not last into adulthood. In the U.S., it appears to be more common among African Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders than other groups.

There is no cure for atopic dermatitis, but there are ways of alleviating and preventing the rash from forming.

This typically involves using a non-irritating moisturizer regularly, after bathing or showering. It is also important to avoid fragranced products, food allergens, and irritating fabrics, such as wool. In addition, a person may need a topical corticosteroid, which a doctor can recommend or prescribe.

Learn more about eczema on black skin and its treatments.

Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory condition that causes thickened patches of skin. On skin of color, these patches may be red or violet and have a top layer of silver or gray scales.

In the U.S., psoriasis is more common in white people than Black people. However, in Black people, it may be more likely to cover larger areas of the body.

Psoriasis can affect the nails as well as the skin, and a significant portion of people with psoriasis also have arthritis.

There is no cure, but it is possible to manage the symptoms. Among the range of options are:

• calcitriol, also called calcipotriene, a synthetic form of vitamin D
• oral or injectable biologic medications
• topical treatments, such as corticosteroid creams
• moisturizing
• UV light therapy

Learn more about psoriasis on black skin and its treatments.

Lichen planus causes a series of bumps to form on the skin. Each bump is shiny, raised, and has a flat top. On skin of color, these bumps may be gray-brown or purple.

The most commonly affected areas are the back, neck, lower legs, ankles, and the insides of the wrists. In 20% of cases, lichen planus causes no symptoms beyond the bumps, but in others, it causes intense itching.

Lichen planus can last for months or years, and there is no known cure. Treatments that can relieve the symptoms include:

• wet dressings
• colloidal oatmeal
• antihistamines
• topical or oral corticosteroids
• retinoids

Learn more about the causes and treatments of lichen planus.

Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of skin to lose its color, or become depigmented. If the condition affects areas with hair, the hair may turn white, too.

The condition occurs when the immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Scientists are not sure why this happens, but they believe that it could stem from an autoimmune response.

Areas commonly affected by vitiligo include:

• the eye area
• the mouth area
• the fingers and toes
• the elbows
• the knees
• the lower back
• the genitals
• sites of injury or sunburn

Vitiligo can affect anyone, but it is more noticeable in people with darker skin. People with vitiligo are more likely to have a family history of autoimmune disorders.

The depigmentation often stops or slows over time. Treatments focus on reducing the spread of depigmentation and restoring color to the skin. This may include the use of medicated creams or light therapy.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles later on. One symptom that most people with shingles develop is a rash of small blisters.

The symptoms of shingles are:

• pain or a burning or tingling sensation in an area where a rash will develop 1–2 days later
• the blistering rash, which may be painful and often forms on the torso, but can form anywhere
• cracking, bleeding, or scabbing as the rash heals

Some people also experience a fever, headaches, muscle aches, stomach pain, or nausea and vomiting.

On highly pigmented skin, a shingles rash may be red, the same color as the skin, or slightly darker. The scabs may be grey.

While the rash often heals within 2–4 weeks, it is important for anyone with shingles symptoms to see a doctor for treatment within 2–3 days. This is because shingles can cause long-term complications.

The doctor can prescribe antiviral medication, which can reduce the risk of complications and shorten the healing time.

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It often causes a round or ring-shaped rash with a raised border, though the rash may be shaped differently on certain areas, such as the feet or hands.

On darker skin, the ringworm rash is often gray or brown.

Ringworm is contagious, so it is important to seek treatment right away and avoid touching the rash, even if it is itchy.

Other names for this infection include:

• jock itch, which affects the groin
• athlete’s foot, which affects the feet
• barber itch, which affects the beard area

Treatment may involve antifungal cream or, if the rash covers a large area, oral medication.

The best approach to treatment at home depends on the cause of the rash. But there are some general strategies for preventing further irritation, such as:

• washing with cool or lukewarm, rather than hot or cold, water
• using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and avoiding harsh soaps
• using a moisturizer to hydrate dry skin
• wearing loose clothing to avoid chafing
• wearing soft natural fibers, such as cotton or linen
• changing out of wet or sweaty clothes as soon as possible
• avoiding touching or scratching any rash, especially with unwashed hands
• regularly using clean dressings for rashes that bleed or weep

It is also important to protect the skin from sun damage with a product that contains SPF 30 or higher. UV light can also worsen skin irritation for people with certain conditions.

In some cases, a rash signals a medical emergency. Seek urgent medical attention if a rash:

• forms suddenly and spreads quickly
• is very painful or blisters
• covers most or all of the body
• shows signs of an infection, such as swelling or pus
• accompanies a fever

Anyone who may have shingles or ringworm should see a doctor promptly to prevent transmission. For shingles, a person should wait no more than 2–3 days.

Otherwise, it is generally a good idea to contact a doctor if any rash lasts longer than a week.

The Skin of Color Society provide a database of dermatologists in the U.S. who have experience treating conditions in people of color.

In skin of color, a rash may be red, brown, purple, or gray.

Some doctors may misdiagnose skin issues in people of color due to a lack of awareness. Skin of color is often underrepresented in medical texts.

A dermatologist who understands how rashes present in the full range of skin tones is best prepared to provide the right treatment.

Allergic urticaria, photo, treatment, symptoms, in children, in adults

Yulia Valerievna Suslonova

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There is not a single person on earth who has never experienced the symptoms of hives. Unbelievable but true! To agree or refute this statement, you need to understand the essence of such a medical term as “urticaria”.

Urticaria or nettle fever is a skin symptom in the form of blisters, similar to the consequences of contact with nettles. Hence the name. There can be many reasons for such a reaction, so this symptom is one of the most difficult to diagnose and treat.

Diseases that cause urticaria

The most common type of disease is allergic urticaria. It is based on a special sensitivity to a certain type of product or phenomenon. This type is called acute, since symptoms appear immediately after the allergen enters. An example of urticaria is a rash on the body after contact with an animal, an insect bite, or ingestion of an allergen product.

The following diseases can also cause urticaria: – bacterial infections – connective tissue diseases (rheumatism, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) – viral infections – gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, dyskinesia, hepatitis) – diseases of the endocrine system (pathology of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus ) – oncological diseases – neuroses

Symptoms of urticaria with photo

You can easily suspect that you or your child have urticaria – the symptoms are familiar from childhood if you have ever been in nettle thickets: – blisters (sometimes several blisters merge into one, taking on a gigantic size) – itching – redness around the blister.

Feature of allergic urticaria in full reversibility. After treatment, no traces remain on the skin, the blisters disappear without a trace. But if the symptoms are left unattended, they can begin to migrate – today on the arm, tomorrow on the stomach, then on the legs.

Urticaria in children

Urticaria in children has pronounced symptoms:

– blisters with edema, rise above the skin – severe itching – fever – pain in the joints – capriciousness, irritability

Urticaria in adults

Urticaria in adults can appear at any age. Symptoms of urticaria in adults are similar to children:

– blisters on the body – itching – insomnia – irritability

Urticaria – treatment

Before prescribing treatment, an allergist-immunologist must establish the “nature” of urticaria. In the Cough and Allergy Clinic, treatment is carried out according to the following scheme:

– prescribing a hypoallergenic diet (selected by an allergist-immunologist as a result of studying the patient’s complaints) – taking sorbents and antihistamines (to reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce discomfort caused by itchy blisters) – examination of the patient in order to identify the cause of urticaria.

If, as a result of the examination, the cause of urticaria is an allergic disease (hay fever, household allergy), then allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) can be used. If the hives are the result of a food allergy, then the allergen product is eliminated.

If the urticaria is not of an allergic nature, then the patient should be ready to be examined and treated by related specialists (gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist, etc.).

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Allergy ointment. How to eliminate an allergic rash – an article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

An inadequate reaction of the body to contact with factors of the external or internal environment causes the development of allergies. If the human immune system has reacted incorrectly to irritants, a cough, choking, an allergic rash, and other non-standard reactions appear. It is they who most often become the first symptom of malfunctions in the immune system.

Causes

Skin allergies often manifest as a rash. These are small blisters, flaky spots, itchy redness, which are visualized on the face, head, body. The affected areas can be pinpoint or affect large areas. More often defects appear in children, less often in adults.

Skin allergic rash, causes and provoking factors:

• genetic predisposition;

• contact with dust, chemicals, plant pollen;

• ingestion of food and drugs to which a person has a certain sensitivity;

• parasite metabolites;

• sun and cold;

• animal hair;

• cosmetics, etc.

In many people, the reaction occurs as a result of metal contact (nickel, silver), latex, insect bites, use of perfume, wearing natural wool, or contact with domestic/wild animals.

Until now, the exact causes of the disease are being studied, but scientists are confident that the genetic predisposition or sensitivity of the immune system to certain substances, as well as a violation of the properties and functions of the epidermis in infancy, underlie the development of pathology.

Skin allergies, symptoms

Depending on the nature of the lesions and symptoms, there are different types of allergies on the body. It is important to correctly identify the disease in order to prescribe effective treatment and eliminate the causes.

Dermatitis

Allocate contact, atopic and photodermatitis. It is manifested by flaky spots, blisters, accompanied by itching, swelling and swelling. Occurs as an immediate reaction to a contract with an allergen or after a few hours / days with a food irritant. In a child of the first year of life, such symptoms indicate intolerance to milk protein. Photodermatitis is a reaction of the epidermis to the sun’s rays with a special susceptibility or climate change. An allergic rash on the face can also be the result of dermatitis.

Eczema

A disease of a neuro-allergic nature, which is complex in terms of the mechanism of development. Symptoms:

• extensive redness;

• multiple small vesicles;

• dryness or weeping;

• crust formation.

It often occurs in adults who are regularly exposed to stress. The affected areas are the folds of the limbs, folds on the neck and body.

Urticaria

By the nature of the manifestation, it resembles a burn after contact with nettle leaves. Red spots and blisters appear on the body that itch. Allergic rash urticaria is the result of an instantaneous response of the body to food, medicine, heat, physical stress, insect bite. It lasts from several hours to several days, it can be chronic.

Quincke’s edema

The most severe form of allergy. Affects soft tissues and can pass to the mucous membranes. Edema can be determined by swelling and swelling of the face, lips, neck, eyelids. Develops rapidly as a response to medications, certain foods (eggs, seafood, nuts), latex contract, chemicals, wasp stings, bee stings, etc. Requires rapid emergency medical attention due to the high risk of suffocation as a result of laryngeal edema.

Diagnosis

In addition to a visual examination and analysis of the patient’s complaints, the doctor usually prescribes the following examinations:

• general and biochemical blood test;

• blood test for specific IgE antibodies;

• scarification tests.

Diagnosis may also include a review of the diet, especially if the problem is in a young child.

Treatment

An integrated approach to the disease is the basis for effective treatment of allergic manifestations on the skin. The main thing is to identify the cause, prevent recurrence and relieve unpleasant symptoms in the acute period. To do this, use oral antihistamines, corticosteroids, creams, lotions and ointments for external use.

Ointments are different according to their functions:

The most effective for quickly eliminating itching and redness are hormonal (for example, Advantan). They are used in doses, in the acute phase, as directed by a doctor.

Children and adults with atopic dermatitis are shown special caring ointments (Topicrem), which help retain moisture, help restore the integrity of the skin during scratching and damage, relieve itching, inflammation, restore local microflora, and increase immunity.

A good effect in the treatment is given by antihistamines (for example, Fenistil). They are designed to block histamine h2 receptors, which helps to reduce the manifestations of itching, inflammation and redness for the next few hours.

Ointments with D-panthenol (Bepanten) also alleviate the course of the disease and are considered the safest drugs that can be used on the body and face.