A rash is when your skin becomes irritated or swollen, which can be itchy and painful. Rashes can look different depending on your skin tone, and some rashes can be a sign of a serious medical issue. They can appear as red, itchy patches, or even blisters and bumps. They can range from mild swelling to painful sores. Rashes can affect a small area or cover a larger area of skin. It can be hard to distinguish between different types of rashes. Rashes can be infectious or non-infectious and have many different causes. This article will help you recognize common rashes like impetigo, athlete’s foot, psoriasis, shingles, and more.
Pictures and signs of different rashes
There are various reasons why people may develop rashes on their skin. Here is a list of 13 possible causes, along with pictures to help you identify them.
1. Fleabites
Fleabite rashes are often found in groups on the lower legs and feet. They appear as itchy, small red bumps on lighter skin tones and more like dark purple spots on darker skin tones.
2. Impetigo
It usually appears as red sores oozing clear fluid or pus and forms a honey-colored crust. The bacteria usually enter the body through cuts, scrapes, burns, or insect bites.
Kids often get impetigo after having a cold, especially when they use tissues a lot. The honey-colored crust is a key sign of impetigo, but a doctor may order a bacterial culture to confirm the diagnosis.
Bullous impetigo is a less common form that involves large blisters, usually seen in young children. Impetigo may itch a little but is not typically painful, like shingles.
Treatment for impetigo usually involves antibiotics.
3. Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that lasts a long time and goes through periods of getting better and then getting worse again. It usually:
comes back because of certain triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, sun exposure, stress, and a type of bacteria in the gut called Helicobacter pylori
shows common signs like redness on the face, red bumps, dry skin, and sensitivity
can look like brown or yellowish-brown bumps on darker skin or have a dusky color
Learn more about rosacea.
4. Scabies
It can easily spread in places like schools and nursing homes, as well as among family members. Symptoms include a rash with small bumps in a line, intense itching (especially at night), skin crusting, bleeding from scratching, and sores. Scabies typically appear on the wrists, elbows, buttocks, waist, armpits, genital area, and between fingers. To diagnose scabies, a doctor needs to scrape the affected skin and check for mites under a microscope. Treatment usually involves using 5% permethrin cream or lotion, sometimes with oral antihistamines or topical steroids for the rash.
5. Ringworm
Ringworm can look like itchy, round, scaly patches with raised edges. On lighter skin, it may appear as pink or red patches, while on darker skin, it may look gray or brown. Sometimes, it can form a raised circle with clear skin in the middle and its edges spreading outward. If you want to learn more about ringworm, click here.
6. Allergic eczema
Allergic eczema can look like a burn and is usually seen on the hands and forearms. The skin may be itchy, scaly, or raw with blisters that may leak fluid or form crusts. On lighter skin tones, it can appear reddish, while on darker skin tones, it may be brown, purple, or gray.
7. Hives (Urticaria)
There are times when your body’s defense system, known as the immune system, releases a substance called histamine into your blood due to allergies or infections. When this occurs, small blood vessels in the skin expand and leak fluid into the top layer, causing red, raised bumps or welts called hives.
Hives are temporary and usually disappear within 24 hours, sometimes even sooner. They can be itchy, bumpy, and may appear in different areas of your skin. Hives can look spongy like bug bites, be red and raised with no clear border, turn white when pressed, cover large areas of skin, and be very itchy. Sometimes, a related condition called angioedema can cause swelling in deeper tissues around the eyes, lips, and face While hives often go away on their own, antihistamines can help with itching and inflammation.
8. Eczema
Eczema can make your skin dry, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated. When you have eczema:
- The affected areas might look red and itchy
- You might lose hair on the part of the skin with the rash
- People with darker skin tones may notice darker brown or gray patches If you want to learn more about eczema, keep reading.
9. Chickenpox
Chickenpox shows up as itchy, red blisters filled with fluid all over the body. The rash can look different depending on your skin tone. It might be red, skin-colored, or darker on darker skin. The blisters will gradually scab over and might look gray on dark skin. You may also have a fever, body aches, sore throat, and not feel hungry. Chickenpox is contagious until all the blisters have dried up. Learn more about chickenpox by reading further.
10. Herpes Simplex
HSV-1 is often linked to cold sores, while HSV-2 is usually associated with genital herpes. Symptoms of herpes include painful sores that can appear on the skin, sometimes accompanied by fever and swollen glands. The virus can be spread through contact with infected sores or bodily fluids, even when there are no visible symptoms.
Herpes outbreaks can be painful and uncomfortable, and the first outbreak is usually the worst. It is possible for symptoms to come back at any time. Antiviral medications like Zovirax and Valtrex can help treat herpes outbreaks, but there is currently no vaccine to prevent the infection. It is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you have herpes.
11. Measles
It leads to a red rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, along with small raised bumps. Before the rash appears, symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, pink eye, and tiny white spots inside the mouth may occur.
Measles usually goes away on its own within a week after the rash appears, but it can lead to serious complications. This illness is particularly dangerous for babies and young children. There is no specific treatment for measles, but getting the MMR vaccine can help prevent it.
12. Seborrheic eczema
Seborrheic eczema is a kind of skin condition that causes yellow or white scaly patches that can peel off. Some signs of seborrheic eczema include:
- Red areas on the skin (which may be harder to see on darker skin tones)
- Itchy, greasy, yellowish, or white patches
- Hair loss where the rash is located
If you want to learn more about seborrheic eczema, continue reading.
13. Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is a sickness that often happens in kids under 5 years old. It leads to symptoms like red cracked lips, a swollen tongue (often called a “strawberry tongue”), high fever, swollen red hands and feet, swollen lymph nodes, and bloodshot eyes. It can be difficult to spot on darker skin. In some cases, it can also lead to serious heart issues. Learn more about Kawasaki disease.
When should I see a healthcare professional about rashes?
It’s a good idea to contact a healthcare professional if a rash doesn’t go away after a few days or if you have other symptoms like pain, bleeding, or flu-like symptoms. If you don’t have a doctor, you can use the Healthline Find Care tool to locate one nearby.
If you notice a rash and experience any of the following symptoms, it could be a medical emergency:
- Increasing pain or discoloration in the rash area Tightness or itchiness in the throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face or limbs
- fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Severe head or neck pain
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Seek medical attention if you have a rash along with these systemic symptoms:
- Joint pain
- Sore throat
- red streaks or tender areas near the rash
- A recent tick bite or animal bite
Conclusion:
In conclusion, skin rashes can be caused by various factors such as allergies, infections, or underlying health conditions. It is important to accurately diagnose the rash in order to determine the appropriate treatment. If you experience a persistent or severe rash, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management. Remember to follow the recommended treatment plan and take care of your skin to prevent future rashes.