What Are the Causes of Skin Rashes?
A skin rash is a generalized term referring to an outbreak of bumps on the skin. Skin rashes can itch, burn, come in all sizes and shapes and be just plain inconvenient. There is a wide array of products on the market today to help soothe and relieve skin rashes. However, relieving a skin rash is pointless when the cause of the rash is unknown, making the rash likely to return. Learn about what causes skin rashes and how you may be able to avoid them.
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Contact Dermatitis
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This is a type of skin rash triggered by touching a material that causes an allergy on the skin or by something that simply irritates the skin. Contact dermatitis is commonly caused by poison ivy, laundry detergent allergies or jewelry allergies (for example, some people are allergic to jewelry containing nickel). To treat contact dermatitis, avoid whatever material causes the contact dermatitis. Also, topical steroid hydrocortisone creams can be useful in treating rashes caused by contact dermatitis.
Fungal Infections
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Fungal infections such as ringworm can create scaly rashes on the skin. Fungus can be found in most any warm, moist environment, and lives and feeds on the topmost layer of skin, nails or hair. Fungal rashes have nothing to do with hygiene and do not commonly come from animals. Although fungal infections are not easily caught in public places like pools, locker rooms or gyms, it can happen. Over-the-counter anti-fungal creams are very effective in the treatment of fungal infections.
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Bacterial Infections
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Another skin infection that causes scaly rashes on the skin is a bacterial infection, such as impetigo. Impetigo is more common in children than adults. Hygiene plays no role in catching a bacterial infection, the infection is caused by staph bacteria which most times already lives on the skin and gains entrance to through small cuts or other open wounds. A bacterial infection will require the assistance of a doctor for treatment. Oral or cream antibiotics will most likely be prescribed.
Viral Infections
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A viral rash will produce itchy red bumps on the skin. Viral rashes are caused when viruses enter the skin. Examples of viral infections are shingles and chicken pox. People who have viral skin rashes, may also present other viral symptoms such as stomach upset or respiratory problems. The good news is that viral skin rashes usually go away on their own within a few days. Anti-itch creams may be used on the rash if it is itchy.
Drug Allergies
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A reaction to a drug will present itchy red bumps on the skin. This usually occurs within two weeks of starting a new medication that the body will not tolerate. The body produces antibodies to fight off the medication it rejects, much like it does when it fights illness. This produces side effects such as an allergic skin rash. Medications that a person has taken for several years usually do not trigger allergies. Most times, doctors will simply have the patient stop using that particular medication to see if the rash clears up. The patient may use anti-itch creams to alleviate itching, if desired.
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