Skin Rashes
| Skin Condition | Appearance | Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hives (Urticaria) | Welts of various sizes, sometimes joined together
Can be itchy or burn Can appear anywhere on the body |
Extreme temperatures, allergic reaction, infection (i.e. strep) | Avoid irritants, use antihistamines and skin creams to treat symptoms, may require steroid treatment |
| Psoriasis | Thick, red, scaly patches that can come and go, usually on scalp, elbows, knees, lower back | Unknown
Mechanism is overgrowth of new skin cells. |
Topical and oral medications, light therapy |
| Eczema | Inflamed, red, dry, itchy skin, usually on hands, elbows, skin folds
Not contagious |
Stress, irritants, climate changes, allergens | Cool, wet dressings, steroid creams, antihistamines |
| Rosacea | Facial redness or flushing, more so with age
Sometimes with bumps or pimples. |
Unknown | Avoid hot or spicy foods, avoid sunlight, wear sunscreen, use natural cosmetics
Topical or oral medications can be used for pustular symptoms |
| Cold Sores | Small, painful fluid-filled blisters on the mouth or nose | Herpes virus 1
Triggered by, overexposure to sun, hormonal changes, or stress |
Symptoms will resolve without treatment, contact with others should be avoided
Anti-viral creams or medications can be considered |
| Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac (Irritant Contact Dermatitis) | Redness, swelling, itchiness, and blisters appear in the exposed areas | Contact with the leaves and oils of poisonous plants | Wash skin (soap/water) ASAP after exposure, cool wet dressings, calamine lotion, antihistamines
Steroids (topical/oral) can be considered. |
| Athletes Foot | Peeling, red, itchy, burning feet
Can also develop sores or blisters Contagious |
Fungal, contagious usually from being barefoot in locker room | Anti-fungal creams
Keep feet dry and clean |
| Pityriasis Rosea (aka Christmas Tree Rash) | Scaly, pink rash with raised borders, starts as one patch then can spread
Itchy Harmless, not thought to be contagious Common 10-35 yrs of age |
Unknown | Resolves independently in 6-8 weeks |
| Heat Rash (miliaria) | Clusters of small red bumps that feel prickly or fluid filled
Bumps that are asymptomatic |
Hot, humid weather, tight fitting clothes, overdressing | Resolves without treatment other than wearing loose fitting clothes |
| Ringworm (tinea corpus)(aka jock itch, athletes foot) | Fungal infection that leads to itchy, red, scaly, slightly raised areas, with expanding rings as the infection spreads
Contagious with contact or shared clothing |
Contact with infected person or clothing | Prescription anti-fungal medication |