Different Rashes on the Body
Body rash or skin rash is the inflammation or spotting of the skin resulting from irritation, allergy or disease. A rash changes the color and texture of the affected area, typically changing the color to a reddish or pinkish hue. At times, rashes can also be bluish in color or bruised from scratching and further irritation.
-
Nature
-
Skin rashes can be associated with itching, swelling, tingling or burning sensations, and possibly pain, while some conditions produce no sensation at all. In general, body rashes are an indication that the body is rejecting a foreign entity or element that it finds threatening to its health.
Category
-
Some skin rashes affect the whole body, which is termed "generalized," while others appear only on certain areas of the skin. These are often referred to as "localized." Skin rashes can be temporary and short-lived or recurrent or chronic. Most skin rashes are not contagious but some are known to be.
-
Ubiquity
-
There are hundreds of types of body rashes and practically everyone has experienced rashes one way or another in different stages of life, from infancy to old age. While a lot of these skin rashes are common and easily treatable (or left alone until they subside), some may be symptoms pointing to more serious ailments or illnesses.
Causes
-
Allergic reactions are one of the most common causes of rashes. Depending on the person, allergies can be caused by plants, foods, animals, chemicals, dust, pollution, insect bites and a host of environmental factors. Other common causes include irritants caused by abrasion from clothing or diapers, cosmetics, sun exposure and humidity or dryness. Infections from viruses, bacteria and fungi also commonly cause skin rashes.
Other examples include infestations caused by tiny parasites such as mites and lice as well as systemic illnesses where rashes are a known symptom. These illnesses include lupus, rheumatic fever, typhoid fever, meningitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, among others. Commonly encountered skin rashes include chicken pox, acne, ringworm, athlete's foot, shingles, scabies, eczema and psoriasis. Other factors that are associated with some skin rashes include hormonal changes, stress, genetic predisposition and autoimmune problems.
Diagnosis
-
Many skin rashes look similar and may be hard to distinguish from one another. Even to the trained eye, i.e., a dermatologist, tests may need to be done in order to confirm a particular diagnosis. Skin rashes that come without pain or discomfort and are localized to the area of contact with an allergen that is relatively safe and non-toxic can be simply let alone until the skin's texture and color go back to normal. Rashes accompanied by other symptoms, however, such as fever, infection, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and achy joints may be indicative of a serious condition. Consulting a dermatologist or physician is recommended in these cases.
-
