There are a number of things that can cause rashes on our skin, whether it is irritation from clothes, or using a new laundry detergent. Skin rashes are a pretty common occurrence throughout life and while some may be harmless and pass on their own, others could require proper treatment. It is important that you are aware of different skin rashes and how they present themselves, as it means you can spot the symptoms early on and get treatment. In this article, we will go over 4 common skin rashes and provide you with some details regarding what the symptoms look like as well as what treatments are available. It is good to know the basics of skin rashes as it means you can spot them early, so keep on reading to find out more.
Heat Rash
The first skin rash we are going to talk about is heat rash. As the name suggests, heat rash, or prickly heat, occurs when our skin has too much contact with the sun. Although heat rash can be uncomfortable and itchy, it is relatively harmless, and the symptoms will usually die down after a few days. The main symptoms of heat rash are mild swelling, itchy patches, and raised spots or bumps. Heat rash is quite obvious to look at and you should also be able to feel the raised spots if you gently run your hand over the affected area. Heat rash is not contagious, so you do not have to worry about passing it on to anyone else. If you are experiencing heat rash, then the best thing to do is apply a cool damp cloth on the area for up to 20 minutes. Try your best to avoid scratching the area and make sure that you wear loose-fitting clothing, so the area isn’t further irritated. When you do go back out in the sun, it is important that you wear sunscreen, to protect against any further damage.
Shingles
Shingles is an irritating and painful rash that is caused by an infection. Often, shingles will first present itself as a headache or a tingling feeling in an area of the skin. You may also find that you feel unwell, and you may also experience some nausea. After a few days, it is likely that a rash will appear, usually on either the tummy or the chest. However, a shingles rash can appear anywhere on the body, so it is worth looking out for a rash if you are experiencing any of the other symptoms. The rash will be red and blotchy at first, before becoming itchy blisters. Although the blisters will be very itchy and irritating, it is important not to scratch them, as this will only make things worse. If you are experiencing a lot of pain with shingles, then taking painkillers should be your first action. You can also apply a cool compress to the affected area, in order to ease some of the irritation.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a very common skin rash that mostly affects children. Although you can actually get chickenpox at any age, it is far more likely for people to be affected by chickenpox when they are young, and then never experience it again. Chickenpox will present itself in a very obvious way; itchy spots will appear all over the body and they can feel very hot to the touch. The spots will quickly turn into blisters and then scabs, which can be incredibly itchy and irritable. The best thing to do to overcome chicken pox is to ensure that your child is drinking plenty of fluids, regularly having cool baths, and using cooling gels on the rashes. Chickenpox should go away after a couple of weeks, but if the rash is getting worse, you should contact your doctor for some advice.
Eczema
Eczema is a common skin rash that can affect anyone at any age. Simply put, eczema is an extreme form of dry skin, which can be incredibly itchy and difficult to get rid of. Eczema will often appear in just a small patch somewhere on the body, but there are also times when eczema will spread all over the body. It will look like a small patch of dry skin, and it can become incredibly flaky and itchy the more it is left untreated. You may also find that the area of skin affected will crack and split and there may be some slight bleeding. If you find that you have developed eczema, it would be a good idea to contact your doctor for some advice. They will likely prescribe you some strong moisturising cream that you can apply to the affected area. Eczema can also be triggered by stress, so your doctor may advise that you avoid any stressful situations and start practising more self-care.
