Rashes are pretty standard, and everybody must have had them at some point in their lives. So what is a rash? Rashes are areas of swollen or irritated skin. But one cannot describe rashes very specifically as many different things cause them. They could be from chemicals, temperature, drugs, viruses, fungi, parasites, and even stress. Rashes are also different in appearance based on their causes.
Because of the variety of rashes, they also have a great many treatments. Rashes could also indicate in case of a more serious ailment such as ringworm or eczema. You can also identify them as being widespread eruptions of lesions in the skin. The article below will explore the causes, types, diagnoses, and treatments of rashes.
Causes Of Rashes
Fungus –We know that fungal infections are pretty standard. Yeasts, which are botanically related to fungus, can cause rashes in the skin. Such rashes generally occur in the skin’s folds, like in the groin or under the breasts. Their appearance is a fiery red, and these rashes show pustules or blisters surrounding the edges.
Bacteria –Impetigo and folliculitis are the most common type of bacterial infections. Strep germs of staph cause the above-mentioned bacterial infections. Such rashes are more widespread in children than in adults. Skin rashes caused by bacteria often show bumps that have pus on the top. These types of bumps are known as pustules. Bacterial rashes or infections have a plaque-like appearance and are very painful.
Parasites –Scabies is the most common type of rash caused by a parasite infection. You generally get scabies from a tiny mite, which is related to spiders. You can contract this mite if you contact an infected individual for a prolonged time. The mite lives and affects the upper superficial layers of the skin. Initially, you would see no symptoms, but after three weeks, the host becomes allergic to the mite. Parasitic rashes seem like eczema. Parasites like bed bugs can cause rashes or eruptions with their bites as they pierce/ break the skin.
Virus (Exanthems) –Exanthems are the rashes that occur alongside certain viral infections. A significant number of rashes caused by viruses are primarily symmetrical and affect your skin on all parts of your body, for example, measles and roseola. At certain times, some viral rashes occur only on the cheeks’ skin, for instance, in parvovirus infections like the fifth disease.
Viral infections such as shingles or herpes occur only at a particular part of the body. Patients with such rashes might or might not have other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, nausea, or localized burning. Viral rashes last for about a week or two and then get cured on their own.
Types Of Rashes
Impetigo –Impetigo is generally seen in children and babies and rarely in adults. The rash typically occurs in the areas around the nose, chin, and mouth. Impetigo is an irritating inflammation along with blisters that pop easily and have fluid. When these blisters pop, they form a honey-colored crust.
Contact Dermatitis –This type of rash appears hours or even days after one comes in contact with some allergen. The rash has distinguishable borders and appears at the spot where the skin had been in touch with the allergen. The skin where the inflammation occurs becomes itchy, red, and is raw or scaly. You may also find blisters that ooze, weep, or become crusty.
Eczema –Eczema is white or yellow scaly patches on the skin that flake off. Affected areas appear red, and they may be oily, itchy, or greasy. You may experience hair loss in the regions where eczema occurs.
SLE Or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus –SLE is an autoimmune disease. It displays many symptoms which affect the different organs of the body and body symptoms. One might experience many mucous membrane and skin symptoms ranging from rashes to ulcers. You can identify SLE by the characteristic face rash with a butterfly shape and occurs across both cheeks.
Psoriasis –This rash has silvery characteristics, scaly, and sharply defined patches on the skin. These rashes generally occur on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. You might or may not experience any symptoms of these rashes though they could be itchy.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Rashes
Infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, dermatologists, and several internists would be able to identify the most different types of rashes. The term “rash” doesn’t mean anything specifically but refers to various eruptions or lesions on the skin. A rash can be defined as a condition when the skin of any body part is inflammatory. Dermatologists have many different terms to describe rashes on the skin.
Firstly, the primary feature of the rash has to be identified. Then its configuration is gauged using adjectives like “linear,” “circular,” ring-shaped,” etc. To get your rash diagnosed correctly, you must visit a doctor or health care professional. They would be able to determine the cause of the rash and, thus, prescribe proper medication.
Conclusion
As you must have understood by now, the treatment of a rash depends on its cause. Therefore, a health care professional or doctor would be able to diagnose your inflammation accurately. It will lead the path to predict the proper medication. Knowing the cause of rashes would help prevent it from happening again as well.
