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.

Skin lesions: Pictures, treatments, and causes

Some common skin lesions and their treatments include:

Acne

Acne can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or cysts. It can be harmless for some, but for others it can lead to scarring or low self-esteem.

Acne develops when the pores in the skin are clogged with dead skin cells and the skin’s natural oil, called sebum. Bacteria can also get into the clogged pore, inflaming the lesions.

People with mild acne may find over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to be effective. These products usually produce any results in 4–8 weeks.

If acne is more severe or if OTC products do not work, a person should see a doctor, such as a dermatologist.

Learn more about acne here.

Eczema

Eczema is common and often appears as itchy, red patches of skin. These can form anywhere on the body.

Experts do not know what causes eczema, but it is not contagious.

It is a chronic condition, meaning that there is no cure, but medications and lifestyle changes can manage the symptoms.

The National Eczema Association recommend that people with eczema:

• avoid anything that seems to make it worse
• bathe and moisturize every day
• use the medications recommended or prescribed by their doctors

Learn more about eczema here.

Cold sores

The herpes simplex virus causes a contagious infection. A person may only realize that they have it when they notice cold sores — which look like blisters — forming on or around their lips. The sores may be painful or tingly.

Cold sores tend to reappear from time to time. Stress and exposure to sunlight are among the various factors that can trigger an outbreak of the sores.

Cold sores usually go away on their own in a few weeks.

Some people use OTC creams that contain acyclovir to ease the symptoms and speed the healing process.

However, topical antivirals like these are not always effective. A person may be more likely to see results if they use prescription antiviral medication.

Learn more about cold sores here.

Blisters

When the skin is injured, a watery liquid called serum leaks into the damaged area from the surrounding tissue. This can form a bubble in the skin called a blister.

Burns, rubbing, infections, and allergies are the most common causes of blisters.

These lesions usually go away on their own — and popping or bursting them increases the risk of infection.

Learn more about blisters here.

Hives

Allergic reactions can cause hives, which look like a red, bumpy, itchy rash. Hives usually go away on their own.

If anyone suspects a serious allergic reaction, they should call 911 or otherwise contact emergency services. The warning signs include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling or tightness of the throat
• nausea, with or without vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fainting
• a rapid heartbeat

Learn more about hives here.

Impetigo

An infection of Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria — known colloquially as staph or strep — causes impetigo.

Impetigo is a skin infection that forms red sores surrounded by red skin. The lesions fill with pus and become pimples, which then break open and crust over.

Impetigo is contagious, and it spreads easily. Doctors treat it with antibiotics.

Learn more about impetigo here.

Moles

Moles are circular or oblong patches that are darker than surrounding skin. The three main types of mole are:

• Congenital: A person is a born with this type of mole, which may be of any size and on any part of the body.
• Common: Most adults have 10–40 of these typically harmless growths, which tend to appear above the waist, in areas exposed to the sun.
• Atypical: The skin cancer melanoma can form in atypical moles, which are usually larger than a quarter of an inch in diameter, not round, and more than one color.

People who have atypical moles should monitor them closely, as they can turn into skin cancer. Check for differences in the way that they look or feel and speak to a doctor about any changes.

Learn more about moles here.

Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis can develop on skin that has been damaged by the sun. It looks like flesh-colored, brown, pink, or red crusty bumps.

People with actinic keratosis have a high risk of developing skin cancer.

Doctors may recommend surgery, creams, or light therapy as treatments.

Learn more about actinic keratosis here.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis usually forms patches of itchy or scaly skin. The patches tend to appear on the elbows, knees, or scalp, but they can develop on any part of the body.

Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes psoriasis. However, it is an autoimmune condition — it results from a problem with the immune system. There is no cure, but several treatments are available.

OTC creams and ointments can help some people, while others need prescription medication.

Learn more about psoriasis here.

Ringworm

Fungus causes ringworm, a skin infection that can form a circular rash. It can appear on any part of the body, and the rash is usually surrounded by itchy, red, scaly skin and hair loss.

People sometimes call ringworm on the feet athlete’s foot or ringworm on the groin jock itch.

OTC creams, lotions, and powders can treat the infection.

The name for ringworm on the scalp is tinea capitis, and it usually requires prescription antifungal medication. Treatment can take 1–3 months.

Learn more about ringworm here.

If OTC products do not resolve acne, eczema, or psoriasis, a person should contact a doctor, who may prescribe medication in the forms of creams, lotions, or pills.

There are no OTC treatments for impetigo. Anyone who thinks that they or their child has the infection should speak to a doctor.

Ringworm on the scalp requires medical attention. Anyone who suspects that they have this should see a doctor, who can prescribe antifungal medication.

Anyone who notices new moles or changes in existing moles should contact a doctor, who may screen for skin cancer. The same is true for people who have actinic keratosis.

A range of health issues and factors such as shoes or clothes rubbing against the skin can cause lesions.

Some of these lesions, including cold sores and blisters, usually go away on their own within a few weeks. Others, such as eczema and psoriasis, are long-term conditions that need ongoing treatment.

In many cases, doctors can treat lesions that may become cancerous. Anyone with concerns about skin cancer should contact a healthcare provider.

Irritated skin – symptoms to look out for

Itchy skin

Itchy skin is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch the affected area of ​​the skin.

• Redness4
• Rashes in a child or adult in the form of nodules, vesicles or spots4
• Dry, chapped skin4
• Thick, stretched leather4

Sometimes itchy skin can be a sign of a skin condition, such as hives.2,5 It is characterized by a red, itchy rash on your body that looks like small blisters or blisters.5 Learn more about the symptoms of hives, their treatment in adults and children, and recommended medicines can be found in the article “What is urticaria?”

Allergic skin reactions

Allergic skin reactions are an allergic reaction of your body to an irritant (allergen) in your environment. One type of skin allergy is a disease called allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes into direct contact with something that causes an allergic reaction.6 These can be fabrics or materials, such as nickel found in jewelry, or perfumes or preservatives in cosmetics.7

Signs of contact dermatitis are commonly found on the hands, arms, face and legs and include:

• Itchy skin7

• Red, bumpy and scaly skin6.7

• Tiny vesicles filled with liquid7

Skin inflammation – dermatitis

Dermatitis is the name given to inflammation of the skin.8 There are different types of dermatitis and eczema, but the most common is the atopic variant.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:8

• Itching and dry skin

• Red and inflamed skin, usually near skin folds: on the elbows, wrists, under the knees, or around the neck

• Blisters and weeping skin

Some symptoms of skin diseases (urticaria, eczema, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis) can overlap, so for an accurate diagnosis and selection of drugs, consult a specialist.

What should I do if my skin itchs?

Itchy skin can be a symptom of many skin conditions. This causes discomfort and severe discomfort to patients, especially if it lasts for a long time.3 Antihistamines can help relieve itching of the skin and block the action of histamine, a chemical involved in the skin’s reaction to itching.3 These include Fenistil, a line of original antiallergic drugs first-generation treatment for pruritus10, skin irritation11 and other allergy symptoms as early as 1 month of age in convenient topical and internal formulations.9

If itching continues to bother you, seek specialist medical attention.

symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention at home

Our skin can react to all external and internal stimuli. Irritation on the skin can manifest itself in the form of a rash, redness, peeling, swelling, itching. The reasons for such a reaction can be completely different – from allergies to diseases of internal organs and mental disorders ¹ .

What is skin irritation

Skin irritation is a subjective symptom. Most often, this is how people describe itching, redness, burning, peeling, the appearance of rashes and blisters. If such signs appear, you should contact a dermatologist who can determine the exact cause of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

– There are more than 2000 nosologies (diagnoses) in dermatovenereology. Therefore, the doctor at the reception observes a very wide variety of symptoms. Everything that is called “pimple” in the common people, the dermatologist will call and interpret in completely different ways. These are inflammatory elements, nodes, papules and pustules, crusts and cracks, peeling, soreness or itching of the skin. To make a correct diagnosis, everything matters – the type of rash, its localization, prevalence, number, presence or absence of chronic diseases. And only understanding the combinations of all the symptoms will help the specialist to make the correct diagnosis, explains dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist Marina Syrlybaeva.

Symptoms of skin irritation in adults

Each person describes the signs of skin irritation differently. However, the most common symptoms are:

• pruritus;
• redness;
• discoloration of some areas of the skin;
• peeling;
• rash;
• skin thickening;
• cracks;
• blisters and weeping skin;
• increased sensitivity.

Causes of skin irritation in adults

According to Marina Syrlybaeva, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, skin irritation can occur for a variety of reasons: bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, allergic reaction, contact with irritating substances, as well as internal diseases. organs. In addition, even in adulthood, chronic or hereditary skin diseases that previously did not make themselves felt may first appear.

Consider the most common causes of skin irritation.

Contact dermatitis

This is one of the most common skin diseases that develops due to skin contact with external irritants. There are simple and allergic contact dermatitis. If the first appears immediately after contact with the irritant, then the second occurs only 10-14 days after the first interaction with the allergen ² .

With this disease, the patient may experience irritation in the form of erythema (redness), various rashes, swelling, dryness, cracks. Often patients complain of itching, soreness and burning sensation ³ .

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that most often manifests in early childhood and is often associated with a hereditary predisposition. Also, risk factors may be disorders of the intestinal microbiome, barrier function of the skin, psycho-emotional stress, cellular and immune disorders, poor ecology ⁴ .

Skin irritation in atopic dermatitis is manifested by the following symptoms: dryness and flaking of the skin, itching, various kinds of rashes, swelling, redness, weeping.

Infectious diseases

Skin irritations can be caused by infectious diseases, eg measles, rubella, typhoid fever, chickenpox. In addition to skin manifestations, patients experience fever, weakness, and in some diseases there are signs of a cold.

Such diseases are characterized by rash, itching, peeling of the skin, papules, weeping. Each infectious disease has its own set of skin symptoms.

Fungal diseases

Unpleasant skin symptoms can cause fungal diseases (skin mycoses). You can become infected with them through contact with a carrier (sick person or animal), when using common hygiene items, shoes, as well as in baths and pools.

Symptoms of skin irritation to the fungus may include itching, redness, burning, peeling, cracks, weeping.

Internal disorders

Skin irritation may be caused by a non-skin related disorder. So, itching, dryness, redness, burning or a rash can appear with type 2 diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, mental disorders, tumors of the brain and spinal cord, lymphoma, etc. Parasites and helminthic infestations can also cause irritation on the skin.

Treatment of skin irritation in adults

To effectively treat skin irritation, the exact cause of the symptoms must be determined.

Diagnosis

– The first thing a dermatovenereologist does after talking to a patient is an examination. And even if the rashes are present only on one part of the body, be prepared that the doctor will ask you to undress completely in order to examine all the skin. After all, it often happens that the patient does not attach importance to some signs that will have an important diagnostic value for the doctor, – says dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist Marina Syrlybaeva.

After the examination, the doctor decides on the need for additional research methods. This may be a scraping of skin scales to detect parasitic fungi. Dermoscopy is an examination of the skin with a special device under magnification. A number of laboratory blood tests are also prescribed, and sometimes a skin biopsy.

If a disease of the internal organs is suspected and if there are characteristic symptoms, the doctor may prescribe additional tests and give a referral to a specialized specialist.

Modern treatments

As mentioned earlier, the choice of treatment will depend on the diagnosis. If an allergic reaction has become the cause of skin irritation, then both external agents and systemic therapy can be used: hormonal ointments (for example, based on triamcinolone or betamethasone), antihistamines (for example, hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine and other h2-blockers).

Specialized emollients (cosmetic creams to moisturize and soften the skin) and medicated creams to relieve inflammation (topical glucocorticosteroids) can be used for atopic dermatitis.

For fungal infections, antifungal ointments, varnishes (eg, based on naftifine, fluconazole, clotrimazole) and systemic drugs (terbinafine or itraconazole) are used.

In infectious diseases, antibacterial (mupirocin), antiviral (acyclovir), antipruritic (demitenden, neotanin) and drying (with zinc oxide and calamine) ointments can be used to combat skin irritation.

In diseases of the internal organs and mental disorders, emphasis is placed on the treatment of the underlying problem. To alleviate the patient’s condition, creams, ointments, lotions and sprays are used that relieve itching, burning, swelling, and soreness.

– And, of course, it is important to remember that you should not self-medicate. In any situation, when you understand that the irritation “didn’t go away by itself”, you need to contact a dermatovenereologist, Marina Syrlybaeva adds. “Unfortunately, often self-treatment leads to difficult diagnosis, as well as complications of the disease.

Prevention of skin irritation in adults at home

To prevent skin irritation, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• avoid allergens;
• avoid prolonged hot baths;
• humidify the air, maintain room temperature;
• wear clothes made of natural fabrics, prefer silk;
• For dry skin after bathing, apply a moisturizing cream.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about when to see a doctor in case of skin irritation, what complications this problem threatens, whether it is possible to be treated with folk methods with a dermatologist, cosmetologist Marina Syrlybaeva.

When should I see a doctor for skin irritation?

– For any skin irritation that does not go away on its own in 1-2 days, you should consult a doctor.

What are the complications of skin irritation?

– Complications can be the spread of the process (there will be more rashes) and the addition of a secondary infection (suppuration), which greatly complicates the treatment. With some acute allergic reactions, complications may develop in the form of anaphylactic reactions (difficulty breathing, pressure drop) that can be life threatening.

Is it possible to cope with irritation with folk, improvised or home methods?

– We live in the 21st century. I do not recommend treating any irritation on the skin on your own, and even more so with improvised or homemade methods.