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skin rashes dermatology treatment

Imagine waking up Monday morning with a rash that covers most of your face? Getting it evaluated moves to the top task on your priority list for the day. Most of us have had periodic rashes as adults. Seeing a rash appear on your skin can be alarming. Rashes call also be painful or severely itchy. In many cases, you will have no clue what may have caused the rash, when to see a doctor, and how to get rid of the rash. If your skin suddenly develops a rash, you will want to know what it is. Below are some descriptions of common rashes. Be sure to see a dermatologist if you suspect you may have a serious rash. As you will see, symptoms can overlap. A rash can be a sign of something more serious occurring in the body. Getting your rash properly identified and treated right away can bring rapid relief.

Is your rash contagious?

Let this blog article be a reference for some of the most common conditions that result in adult rashes and whether the rash may be contagious.

According to the dermatologists at Suncoast Skin Solutions, a rash is defined as any type of skin inflammation in which the skin shows a change in texture, color, or appearance, resulting in scaly, dry, cracked, itchy, red, discolored, or bumpy skin. Not only can rashes be painful, they can also have a negative psychological effect on patients. Early evaluation is the key to addressing and treating the root cause.

We will periodically include additional articles about adult rashes and conditions that often result in the appearance of skin rashes. For this blog article we have included five.

The following 5 conditions commonly cause rashes among adults:

Rosacea

  • Rosacea is a common skin condition characterized by facial flushing, and a broad spectrum of clinical signs, including erythema, telangiectasia, coarseness of skin, and an inflammatory papulopustular eruption that presents as pimples or red bumps.
  • Flare-ups can be triggered by a number of stimuli such as alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, stress, sunlight, medicines, and other factors.
  • There are several types of rosacea. Treatment options vary for each type and can involve surgical or laser interventions.
  • Some symptoms and signs common of rosacea include raised, red bumps or pimples, facial flushing skin sensitivity, facial redness, thickening of the skin, and eye irritation.

Shingles

  • Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus or VZV.
  • If you have had chickenpox in earlier years, you have a chance of developing shingles. They are caused by the same virus.
  • The varicella virus is contagious when it reaches the blister form, prior to crusting over. A person with shingles blisters can transmit the virus onto another person, which could result in the development of chickenpox
  • Before the rash surfaces, pain or itching may occur in the area that will be affected.
  • The rash generally appears on one side of the face or torso.
  • The rash itself is painful with blisters similar in appearance to chickenpox. Shooting pain may accompany the rash. According to the CDC, the blisters scab over in a week to ten days and the rash goes away in two to four weeks.
  • Shingles symptoms may include headache, chills, fever, a stomach pain, and fatigue.
  • A person can develop shingles anytime after having the chicken pox. Shingles is more common in older adults. The CDC recommends people 50 years and older receive a shingles vaccine called Shingrix®.

most common skin rashes

Ringworm

  • Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection characterized by scaly rashes, with a circular shape and a raised border.
  • Clear and healthy skin usually appears in the midsection of the ring.
  • Topical treatments can be effective treatments.

Contact Dermatitis

  • Contact dermatitis results from an allergic reaction to a substance or direct contact with an irritating substance.
  • The rash usually manifests itself a few hours or even minutes of coming into contact with the allergen or irritant and can last for weeks.
  • Contact dermatitis is not contagious.
  • The skin rash is red and usually accompanied by scaly, dry, and/or itchy skin. Some blisters may appear and ooze, weep, or become crusty. The rash usually has distinct borders.

Rashes resulting from Flea Bites

  • Flea bites can occur anywhere in the body. They commonly occur on the feet and ankles because fleas often jump on humans from the ground, such as the grass outside or carpet indoors.
  • The resulting rash is characterized by red, itchy bumps with a central red spot. These bumps may be surrounded by a red halo.
  • Flea bites have a risk of becoming infected.
  • Fleas carry diseases such as marine typhus.
  • Symptoms usually manifest immediately a person is bitten by the flea.

If you have a rash that is concerning to you, the best thing to do is get it checked out by a dermatologist experienced with clinical skin conditions and their treatments.

Suncoast Skin Solutions is Florida’s “Most Trusted” Dermatology. Each of our locations has a dermatologist on site to evaluate rashes and offer treatment options.

Call us to help you locate an experienced dermatologist in your area of Florida.

844-786-3376

  • Photos courtesy of the National Rosacea Society