Causes and when to speak with a doctor

Hand rashes can result from allergic reactions, exposure to irritants, and sunburn. Health conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, can also cause hand rashes. Treatment will depend on the cause.

In this article, we look at the possible causes of a rash on a person’s hands and when to seek medical help.

Below are images of different rashes on the hands from a variety of causes.

Contact dermatitis is a condition that causes changes in skin color, itching, and irritation. Irritant contact dermatitis results from direct exposure to substances and accounts for around 80% of dermatitis cases.

These substances directly affect the skin and may cause rashes on the hands if this is the site of exposure.

Common skin irritants include:

• hand soaps
• rubber or latex gloves
• nickel and gold jewelry
• citrus and other natural acids

Contact dermatitis usually goes away once people remove the irritant.

Discover some triggers of contact dermatitis in this article.

Several substances can cause minor allergic reactions on the skin. These substances may affect the hands when a person is gardening, using a new lotion, or having exposure to a chemical with which they have an allergy.

In allergic contact dermatitis, the immune system overreacts following contact with these substances, causing a rash, swelling, and irritation. This differs from irritant contact dermatitis, where the substances themselves cause symptoms.

It is possible to treat many minor allergic reactions at home. Learn how here.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction that causes the body’s immune system to react aggressively to a substance. It sometimes begins with a slightly swollen rash similar to hives.

If the rash spreads quickly, it can lead to more severe symptoms, such as a swollen throat and trouble breathing.

A person who suddenly develops a rash following a sting, new medication, or exposure to another new substance should immediately contact a healthcare professional.

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition. Learn more here.

Hives often appear as raised, dumpy rashes. The bumps are itchy and may appear lighter when someone presses on them. The condition can result from irritant and allergen exposure, underlying health conditions, and other physical triggers.

Hives can be acute or chronic, and nearly 20% of people will experience the condition at some time in their lives. The medical term for hives is urticaria.

Find out what causes hives and how to treat them.

Eczema, sometimes called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition. It causes scaly patches on the skin that may be darker or lighter than the rest of the skin. The patches may be all over the body or just in one place, such as the hands.

The rash often itches and may worsen when the skin is dry or during cold or dry weather. Eczema is more common in children than in adults. After childhood, eczema typically goes away by itself, but many individuals can have the condition in adulthood.

There is a variety of eczema types. Learn more here.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes an overgrowth of skin cells. This can cause rashes, inflammation, and raised, scaly, patches of skin known as plaques. The condition can occur in any part of the body.

Psoriasis tends to appear pink or red on those with light or fair skin tones, with scales appearing silvery-white. On medium skin tones, it can appear salmon-colored and feature silvery-white scales. On darker skin tones, psoriasis could look violet with gray scales or appear dark brown and difficult to see.

Psoriasis on the hands may also affect the nails. People with the condition on their hands may develop the rash elsewhere, such as on the scalp.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but some medications can help manage the condition.

More information on psoriasis is available here.

Exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn on any part of the body. Clothing rarely covers the hands, so it is important that people remember to apply sun cream to the back of their hands, fingers, and wrists when applying to the rest of the body.

Sunburn may hurt at first and then begin itching. The skin may look dry, blister, or peel. Sunburn can affect all people, although those with lighter skin have a higher risk of burning.

Find out how sunburn affects dark skin here.

Several genetic conditions can cause the skin on their hands to peel continuously. This peeling will often be painless, but it may result in swelling, skin discoloration, and localized discomfort.

The peeling may worsen during the summer or after frequent handwashing or exposure to water.

Learn more about peeling skin here.

Tinea manuum is a type of fungal infection of the hands, similar to athlete’s foot. It usually causes a rash with a raised border.

A person may contract the infection from a person, animal, or soil with tinea manuum or from touching the feet of someone with athlete’s foot. The rash is usually very itchy and can cause the nails to discolor or look misshapen.

More information about tinea manuum is available here.

Lichen planus is a common inflammatory skin condition. It causes swelling, discoloration of the skin, and bumps. It can affect any part of the body, including the mouth and scalp, but some people first notice the rash on their wrists or hands.

Find out all there is to know about lichen planus here.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin’s deeper layers. If bacteria enter the skin, it can cause cellulitis.

A range of diseases or injuries can allow bacteria to penetrate the skin. A person can get cellulitis even after minor injuries, such as a cut from a razor or a bee sting.

Cellulitis may resemble a rash because it looks swollen and discolored, but it is a dangerous infection that can spread quickly.

Find out more about cellulitis here.

Treatment depends on the cause of the rash. It is usually safe to treat minor conditions, such as contact dermatitis and eczema, at home. The most common treatments include:

• steroid creams
• calamine lotion
• colloidal oatmeal
• moisturizers
• reducing sun exposure in cases of sunburn
• antifungal creams for fungal infections.

It is not possible to prevent all rashes. However, below are some strategies that may help:

• Use fragrance-free moisturizers to reduce the risk of irritation and allergic reactions.
• If a person has eczema, use a formulated cream, especially after washing hands.
• Wear gloves when working in the yard or using irritating chemicals.
• Avoid using medications, including medicated creams, unless necessary. This can reduce the risk of a medication-induced allergic reaction.

People should consult a doctor regarding any rash that does not go away on its own with home treatment. They should also seek medical attention if a rash starts spreading.

A person should call a healthcare professional immediately if:

• they have a fever and rash, or the rash shows signs of infection such as pus or oozing
• the rash is painful but not itchy
• the skin is very swollen
• they have other symptoms, such as symptoms of a cold or the flu
• a rash appears all over the body, especially after an insect sting or taking medication
• a person has a rash and has trouble breathing

Various substances, conditions, and infections can cause rashes on the hands.

Most rashes are not serious and will go away independently, even without treatment. If a rash hurts, appears suddenly, or does not go away, it may indicate a more serious problem.

Prompt medical treatment may ease the pain and treat the rash.

Causes and when to speak with a doctor

Hand rashes can result from allergic reactions, exposure to irritants, and sunburn. Health conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, can also cause hand rashes. Treatment will depend on the cause.

In this article, we look at the possible causes of a rash on a person’s hands and when to seek medical help.

Below are images of different rashes on the hands from a variety of causes.

Contact dermatitis is a condition that causes changes in skin color, itching, and irritation. Irritant contact dermatitis results from direct exposure to substances and accounts for around 80% of dermatitis cases.

These substances directly affect the skin and may cause rashes on the hands if this is the site of exposure.

Common skin irritants include:

• hand soaps
• rubber or latex gloves
• nickel and gold jewelry
• citrus and other natural acids

Contact dermatitis usually goes away once people remove the irritant.

Discover some triggers of contact dermatitis in this article.

Several substances can cause minor allergic reactions on the skin. These substances may affect the hands when a person is gardening, using a new lotion, or having exposure to a chemical with which they have an allergy.

In allergic contact dermatitis, the immune system overreacts following contact with these substances, causing a rash, swelling, and irritation. This differs from irritant contact dermatitis, where the substances themselves cause symptoms.

It is possible to treat many minor allergic reactions at home. Learn how here.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction that causes the body’s immune system to react aggressively to a substance. It sometimes begins with a slightly swollen rash similar to hives.

If the rash spreads quickly, it can lead to more severe symptoms, such as a swollen throat and trouble breathing.

A person who suddenly develops a rash following a sting, new medication, or exposure to another new substance should immediately contact a healthcare professional.

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition. Learn more here.

Hives often appear as raised, dumpy rashes. The bumps are itchy and may appear lighter when someone presses on them. The condition can result from irritant and allergen exposure, underlying health conditions, and other physical triggers.

Hives can be acute or chronic, and nearly 20% of people will experience the condition at some time in their lives. The medical term for hives is urticaria.

Find out what causes hives and how to treat them.

Eczema, sometimes called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition. It causes scaly patches on the skin that may be darker or lighter than the rest of the skin. The patches may be all over the body or just in one place, such as the hands.

The rash often itches and may worsen when the skin is dry or during cold or dry weather. Eczema is more common in children than in adults. After childhood, eczema typically goes away by itself, but many individuals can have the condition in adulthood.

There is a variety of eczema types. Learn more here.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes an overgrowth of skin cells. This can cause rashes, inflammation, and raised, scaly, patches of skin known as plaques. The condition can occur in any part of the body.

Psoriasis tends to appear pink or red on those with light or fair skin tones, with scales appearing silvery-white. On medium skin tones, it can appear salmon-colored and feature silvery-white scales. On darker skin tones, psoriasis could look violet with gray scales or appear dark brown and difficult to see.

Psoriasis on the hands may also affect the nails. People with the condition on their hands may develop the rash elsewhere, such as on the scalp.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but some medications can help manage the condition.

More information on psoriasis is available here.

Exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn on any part of the body. Clothing rarely covers the hands, so it is important that people remember to apply sun cream to the back of their hands, fingers, and wrists when applying to the rest of the body.

Sunburn may hurt at first and then begin itching. The skin may look dry, blister, or peel. Sunburn can affect all people, although those with lighter skin have a higher risk of burning.

Find out how sunburn affects dark skin here.

Several genetic conditions can cause the skin on their hands to peel continuously. This peeling will often be painless, but it may result in swelling, skin discoloration, and localized discomfort.

The peeling may worsen during the summer or after frequent handwashing or exposure to water.

Learn more about peeling skin here.

Tinea manuum is a type of fungal infection of the hands, similar to athlete’s foot. It usually causes a rash with a raised border.

A person may contract the infection from a person, animal, or soil with tinea manuum or from touching the feet of someone with athlete’s foot. The rash is usually very itchy and can cause the nails to discolor or look misshapen.

More information about tinea manuum is available here.

Lichen planus is a common inflammatory skin condition. It causes swelling, discoloration of the skin, and bumps. It can affect any part of the body, including the mouth and scalp, but some people first notice the rash on their wrists or hands.

Find out all there is to know about lichen planus here.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin’s deeper layers. If bacteria enter the skin, it can cause cellulitis.

A range of diseases or injuries can allow bacteria to penetrate the skin. A person can get cellulitis even after minor injuries, such as a cut from a razor or a bee sting.

Cellulitis may resemble a rash because it looks swollen and discolored, but it is a dangerous infection that can spread quickly.

Find out more about cellulitis here.

Treatment depends on the cause of the rash. It is usually safe to treat minor conditions, such as contact dermatitis and eczema, at home. The most common treatments include:

• steroid creams
• calamine lotion
• colloidal oatmeal
• moisturizers
• reducing sun exposure in cases of sunburn
• antifungal creams for fungal infections.

It is not possible to prevent all rashes. However, below are some strategies that may help:

• Use fragrance-free moisturizers to reduce the risk of irritation and allergic reactions.
• If a person has eczema, use a formulated cream, especially after washing hands.
• Wear gloves when working in the yard or using irritating chemicals.
• Avoid using medications, including medicated creams, unless necessary. This can reduce the risk of a medication-induced allergic reaction.

People should consult a doctor regarding any rash that does not go away on its own with home treatment. They should also seek medical attention if a rash starts spreading.

A person should call a healthcare professional immediately if:

• they have a fever and rash, or the rash shows signs of infection such as pus or oozing
• the rash is painful but not itchy
• the skin is very swollen
• they have other symptoms, such as symptoms of a cold or the flu
• a rash appears all over the body, especially after an insect sting or taking medication
• a person has a rash and has trouble breathing

Various substances, conditions, and infections can cause rashes on the hands.

Most rashes are not serious and will go away independently, even without treatment. If a rash hurts, appears suddenly, or does not go away, it may indicate a more serious problem.

Prompt medical treatment may ease the pain and treat the rash.

Rash on the body | types of skin rashes

The human skin is the largest organ, which is an indicator of the internal state of the body. Various types of skin rashes of different colors and textures on the abdomen, face, against the background of allergic reactions, viral pathologies. Unpleasant sensations appear with changes in health and depend on diseases of various organs. There are non-specific causes of the rash, so you should sign up for an initial examination with an allergist in a timely manner so as not to infect other people and there are no complications.

The content of the article:

• Types of skin rashes
• Allergic rash
• Eruptions during infectious diseases
• Skin rash
• Treatment of rashes

Types of skin rashes

A rash on the body is one of the most common symptoms of skin diseases in adults and children. It is usually accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, and vesicles (small blisters) on the skin.

The rash can be of a different nature and character. Some types of rash appear on the skin for the first time, and some may occur occasionally or periodically. The rash is localized on different parts of the skin, including the face, arms, legs, abdomen, chest, and even mucous membranes.

When a rash appears, attention should be paid to its localization, nature, the presence of severe itching and swelling. A nodule or papillary feature on the rash may indicate a systemic immune response or hyperpigmentation. If the rash is weepy, crusty, or breaks open, laboratory tests should be done to determine the cause of the skin lesion.

Primary rash

The primary rash occurs in a healthy person, in the case of an untreated primary rash, a secondary rash may occur. Types of primary skin rashes:

Papule is a cone-shaped bulge without content, which does not leave marks on the skin. Papules merge with each other, from inflammation they are small from 1 to 3 mm, medium and large – from 1 to 4 cm.

Node – elevated rash. Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory rash can be up to 10 cm, after treatment a scar remains.

Tubercle is a prominent eruption about 1 cm without internal filling. The skin changes color. The bumps leave scars behind.

Pustule – a purulent bladder under a thin membrane with inflamed skin around.

There are different types:

Conflicts are small blisters with pus. The skin around is reddish due to severe inflammation. During the treatment of conflicts, a crust is formed, which will disappear after recovery, but the pigmentation remains for some time.

Ecthymas – deep non-follicular pustules with pus at the bottom, after which scars form.

Follicular pustules from 1 to 5 mm are located on the surface of the skin, so after them traces on the skin in the form of a scar, no pigment spots remain.

Deep follicular pustules, in addition to the follicle, occupy all layers of the skin and, after treatment, scars form on the skin, both boils and carbuncles.
A blister is a red convex element with a whitish center without a cavity due to the ongoing allergy process, urticaria. A few days after the appearance of the blister leaves no trace.

Bubble – rash up to 0.5 cm in size, consisting of a lid, a bottom with a filled space due to serous, serous-hemorrhagic content, erosion, eczema, chickenpox, herpes are formed.

Bladder is a blister-like skin change larger than 0.5 cm.

Spot is a non-protruding area above the level of the skin with a change in its color to a reddish or bluish tint. The skin is red. When pressed, the reddened spot disappears. Diseases such as dermatitis, roseola, secondary syphilis.

Roseola – a spot with blurred borders with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm is associated with diseases. Characteristic signs – the skin turns pale when pressed and there is no bulge.

Erythema is a bright raised skin rash without clear contours, which usually appears due to UV rays.

Purpura – many small hemorrhages appear with leukemia, hemophilia, Werlhof’s disease.

Secondary eruptions

Due to untreated primary manifestations, untimely access to a doctor.

• Pigmentation when the skin becomes either darker or lighter.
• Scars after combing or treatment of neurodermatitis, eczema and other dermatological diseases.

Common types of secondary skin rashes are:

• scab – crust after burst vesicles, pustules and sores;
• plaques are raised lesions about 5 mm in size, formed due to the association of several papules. The boundaries of the plaques depend on the disease, for example, in psoriasis, plaques with clear edges;
• erosion – violation of the skin cover after the opening of the abscess on the face, genitals, hands. Occur with an inflammatory disease, pass without scars;
• ulcers – recurrent deep defects of skin integrity. Requires long-term treatment due to difficult healing. Scars remain afterwards. Due to the effects of diabetes occur on the legs;
• scales – dying particles of the upper layer of the skin in the form of peeling. Horny plates of different colors are separated: white, gray, brown, yellow, depending on the disease, for example, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, lichen, psoriasis are characterized by white scales;
• lichenification – indurated areas with dry skin and increased pigmentation. The causes of the appearance are diseases such as ulcers, eczema and neurodermatitis. In place of burst bubbles, pustules on the skin, abrasions and crusts form after they dry.

Allergic rash

As a result of the release of histamine, an allergic rash appears on the skin. During the work of immune cells that remove it from the body, vasodilation and swelling of the inflamed skin occur.

Urticaria – itchy red swollen spots due to allergies that occur on the abdomen, chest, limbs, less often on the face and change shape very quickly.

Dermatitis – a rash that appears after close contact with an allergen, which is accompanied by a runny nose, headache, or due to the direct effect of the allergen not only on the skin, but also on the digestive and respiratory systems. List of main allergens:

• pet hair;
• pollen from flowering plants;
• medicinal substances, including antibiotics;
• food additives;
• cosmetics, whether decorative or caring;
• dust and smell of smoke;
• articles of metal and artificial materials.

Eruptions during infectious diseases

Due to infection with an infectious virus, a skin rash occurs on the skin and may cover only some parts or the entire body.

Chicken pox – the disease is characterized by a rash with liquid inside on the body and even on the palms and feet. Later itching begins. After 2-3 days, they dry out with the appearance of a crust. Eruptions of different stages appear on the skin within 5-10 days.

Rubella is a skin disease with red round bumps up to 10 mm in diameter, which first appears on the neck and face and then spreads to the whole body. Rubella lasts 2 to 4 days without leaving a rash. With measles, on the second day of the disease, purple rashes are visible, appearing sequentially, starting from the head, and a day later it affects the trunk, including the fingers, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe palms and feet. Separate elements tend to connect. After a week and a half, they gradually subside, but the color of the skin due to the rash becomes like age spots. During scarlet fever, for 3 to 7 days, small red numerous spots form on the whole body, except for the nasolabial triangle, especially intense in the folds of the groin, on the abdomen and back. The skin may turn blue. Scarlet fever passes, the skin peels off and comes off in layers from the arms and legs.

Herpes round blisters with liquid inside on lips or body. When healing, yellow crusts appear on the skin.

Shingles – 5 mm rash following chicken pox. Accompanied by scars or age spots.

Syphilis is characterized by abundant and symmetrical red rashes, with secondary syphilis – a rash on the chest, in the groin.

Candidiasis – vesicles with whitish contents that burst due to friction, leaving cracks.

With scabies appear scabies.

Ostiofolliculitis is accompanied by pustules with pus on the folds of the skin, on the face, in the scalp, and then crusts form, which fall off and leave age spots. With intoxication of the body due to enterovirus infection, tuberculosis, there is always an increase in body temperature, and rashes are often absent. Skin manifestations, together with other symptoms, indicate serious pathologies.

For example, blood poisoning at first looks like the flu due to high fever, vomiting. However, the appearance of hemorrhagic petechial hemorrhages as a result of capillary rupture is a sign of meningococcal sepsis, so you need to call an ambulance immediately.

Skin rash

Rashes accompany the following skin diseases:

• acne (acne) in the form of pustules on the nose, forehead, cheeks and chin;
• psoriasis;
• fungal diseases;
• bacterial problems;
• scabies due to microscopic parasites.

In young children, a skin rash appears due to insect bites or prickly heat, a skin reaction to overheating that most often occurs between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.

Rash treatment

You can not engage in treatment on your own, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist, pediatrician or therapist so that the doctor can accurately determine the cause of the appearance of rashes on the skin and make a diagnosis. In case of allergies, it is better for patients to see an allergist, an immunologist. Due to self-administration of antihistamines, there is no complex treatment, so the patient has an acute allergic reaction.

A trained professional treats the rash based on diagnostic tests and clinical test results. If you notice a rash on your body, do not postpone a visit to the doctor. It is important to get the right assessment and treatment from the qualified specialists of the MoiVrach clinic in Volgograd. Our doctors are ready to answer your questions, conduct an examination and prescribe therapy.

treatment of rash on hands in clinic, dermatologist consultation in Moscow

Almost everyone had to deal with such a nuisance as a rash on their hands. In some cases, the appearance of a rash can be confusing. But not always a rash on the hands is dangerous. Sometimes it is enough to lubricate the skin of the hands with an emollient cream so that the rash goes away and the itching subsides. In other cases, the cause of the rash may be much more serious and require serious professional intervention.

For the first time, most people experience a rash on their hands during early childhood. Perhaps many remember how, not listening to their mother, they did not wear gloves or mittens in cold weather. As a result, they developed a red rash on the delicate skin of their hands, which itched and hurt. The people called this rash “chicks”, the medical name is simple dermatitis. And everyone knows that if you hold your hands warm, dry for several minutes, lubricate them with baby cream, then you can quickly get rid of this ailment.

Contact dermatitis

This kind of rash on the hands appears under the influence of prolonged contact with aggressive chemicals or other irritating factors. Contact dermatitis often appears in perfectly healthy people. Sometimes contact dermatitis can appear against the background of other untreated forms of dermatitis. In the summer, contact dermatitis can be caused by exposure to plant pollen.

• Under the influence of harmful irritating factors, watery rashes appear on the skin of the hands, which are accompanied by intense itching.
• Over time, these watery vesicles begin to burst and painful sores remain in their place.
• Patient feels severe pain when bending fingers.

To avoid the development of contact dermatitis, it is necessary to protect the skin of the hands from contact with aggressive agents. When performing various work, it is necessary to use rubber gloves. After contact, the hands must be thoroughly washed under running water with a neutral detergent and lubricated with a nourishing emollient cream.

Why a rash can appear

Most often, a rash on the hands acts as a symptom of atopic or contact dermatitis. However, in addition to such common causes, a rash can be caused by a number of skin diseases, and sometimes act as one of the symptoms of systemic disorders.

Often rashes on the hands can appear in response to the introduction of new unusual foods, seafood, tropical fruits into the diet. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight in the presence of particularly sensitive skin can also provoke the development of solar dermatitis. Rashes can appear even with a cold or non-compliance with elementary hygiene requirements.

More serious causes of rashes can be viral infections or bacterial infection, eczema or neurodermatitis, various lichen.

Whatever the cause of the rash, it is best to deal with it under the supervision of specialists. When contacting our clinic, an experienced dermatologist will determine the cause and prescribe the most effective methods of treatment. In some cases, a serious examination may be required for the patient to have serious systemic ailments, manifested, including skin rashes.

Hand rash treatment

A rash on the hands is best treated by a specialist who will determine its exact cause and prescribe treatment based on the results of thorough examinations.

• Careful hand hygiene is essential in any treatment regimen.
• If the disease is caused by an infectious effect, the doctor of our clinic will prescribe an antimicrobial ointment such as Miramistin or another antiseptic for skin treatment.
• In severe inflammation or allergic process, you can use ointments containing steroid hormones. This can only be done with a doctor’s prescription.
• When ulcers appear on the skin, special therapeutic lotions are prescribed.

Inside you can take antihistamines.