But our skin is also filled with special cells of the immune system The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria and other microscopic threats. These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. There are many different types of dermatitis, and each has a distinct set of treatments. Other times, the immune system flares in the skin because of a whole-body infection or illness.
The symptoms of these different types of rashes often overlap. Stephen I. Many rashes are red, painful, and irritated. Some types of rash can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. While most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long lasting and need to be cared for over long periods of time. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash that affects up to 1 in 5 infants and young children.
It often improves over time, although it can last into adulthood or start later in life. In this condition, the water-tight barrier between skin cells gets weak, which lets moisture out and other things in. Researchers have recently identified specific genes Stretches of DNA, a substance you inherit from your parents, that define characteristics such as how likely you are to get certain diseases.
People with certain versions of these genes are more likely to get atopic dermatitis. A skin allergy, or allergic contact dermatitis, produces a red, itchy rash that sometimes comes with small blisters or bumps. The rash arises when the skin comes in contact with an allergen, a usually harmless substance that the immune system attacks. Allergens trigger allergic reactions.
Allergens can come from certain soaps, creams and even pets. Your immune system might not react the first time you encounter an allergen. Exceptions: athlete's foot can occur on both feet. Insect bites can be scattered. Widespread means the rash occurs on larger areas. Examples are both legs or the entire back. Widespread can also be on most of the body surface. Widespread rashes always occur on matching both sides of the body. Many viral rashes are on the chest, stomach and back. The cause of a widespread rash usually goes through the blood stream.
Examples are rashes caused by viruses, bacteria, toxins, and food or drug allergies. The cause of a localized rash usually is just from contact with the skin. Examples are rashes caused by chemicals, allergens, insect bites, ringworm fungus, bacteria or irritants. This is why it's important to make this distinction. Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a common cause of a rash in one area. The location of the rash may suggest the cause: Poison ivy or oak: exposed areas, such as the hands.
Nickel metal : anywhere the metal has touched the skin. Neck from necklaces, earlobe from earrings, or fingers from rings. Stomach from metal snap inside pants, wrist from watch, or face from eyeglass frames. Exception: Poison Ivy. Bellevue Everett Federal Way Seattle. Should your child see a doctor? All Symptoms. Accept All Cookies. The photosensitivity reaction looks similar to sunburn.
Infections by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can also cause a rash. These rashes will vary depending on the type of infection.
For instance, candidiasis , a common fungal infection, causes an itchy rash that generally appears in skin folds. There are many autoimmune diseases, some of which can produce rashes. For instance, lupus is a condition that affects a number of body systems, including the skin.
It produces a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. However, there are some basic measures that can speed up recovery and ease some of the discomfort:.
If the rash causes mild pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be useful, but these are not a long-term solution — they will not treat the cause of the rash. It is important to speak with a doctor before taking any medication. Compare brands before purchasing over-the-counter or online products, to ensure the product is suitable.
Although the majority of rashes are not a major cause for concern, anyone experiencing the following symptoms should go to the hospital straight away:. Many insects can cause a rash through a bite or sting.
Although the reaction will vary depending on the person and the animal, symptoms often include:. Fleas are tiny jumping insects that can live in fabrics within the home.
They have a very fast breeding cycle and can take over a home very rapidly. Also known as erythema infectiosum and slapped cheek syndrome, fifth disease is caused by the parvovirus B One of the symptoms is a rash, which appears in three stages:.
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that most commonly affects children. The first sign is normally a patch of red, itchy skin. There are two types of impetigo:. Shingles is an infection of an individual nerve. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include:. Scabies is a skin condition caused by a microscopic mite.
It is very contagious and spreads easily through person-to-person contact. Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions. It often first develops in childhood. Symptoms depend on the type of eczema and on the age of the individual but they often include:.
Hay fever , or allergic rhinitis , is an allergic response to pollen. Symptoms can be similar to those of a common cold, such as:. Hay fever can also cause a rash, similar to hives. These will appear as itchy red patches or eruptions on the skin. Scarlet fever is a disease caused by a toxin released by a bacteria — Streptococcus pyogenes — the same bacteria that is responsible for Strep throat.
Symptoms include a sore throat, rash, and fever. The rash has the following characteristics:. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory reaction to a streptococcal infection, such as Strep throat. It most commonly affects children aged Ringworm , despite its name, is caused by a fungus. The fungal infection affects the top layer of the skin, scalp, and nails. Symptoms vary depending on the site of the infection, but can include:. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubeola virus.
Candidiasis is a common fungal infection of the genitals. It affects both sexes, but more commonly, women. Stasis dermatitis is also known as varicose eczema. It develops due to poor circulation and most commonly affects the lower legs. Also known as rubella, German measles are an infection caused by the rubella virus. Sepsis , often called blood poisoning, is a medical emergency.
It is the result of a wide scale immune response to an infection. Symptoms vary, but can include:. West Nile virus is an infection spread by mosquitos. Often, there are no symptoms, but if they do occur, they can include:.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. The symptoms include an erythema migrans rash that often appears in the early stages of the disease. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep layer of skin — the dermis. It normally occurs when bacteria enter through a break in the skin.
MRSA methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is a contagious bacterial infection that is resistant to a range of antibiotics. This makes it difficult to treat. Chickenpox is an infection by the varicella zoster virus. It is unpleasant, but most people recover within a couple of weeks.
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