We have all had skin rashes at some point in our lives. They not only cause itching and pain but also put you through a lot of discomfort. What causes skin rashes? What are the effective remedies or treatments for skin rashes? How can I relieve the itching from my skin rash? Keep reading to find out.
Skin Rash Types
Rashes are mainly classified into two types: non-infectious and infectious rashes.
Non-infectious rashes include eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, hives, xerosis (dry skin), and allergic dermatitis.
Infectious rashes are ringworm, impetigo, scabies, herpes, chickenpox, and shingles.
Skin Rash Causes
There could be many causes for your skin rash. Some types of rash are caused by allergies, others may be caused by infections, skin conditions such as eczema or even just by dry or damaged skin. Here are the common causes of skin rashes.
- Physical Causes
Skin rash can be caused by dry or damaged skin which is due to friction, pressure, temperature change, radioactive rays and sunniness etc.
- Chemical Causes
Drugs, dyes or chemical materials can cause contact rashes or drug-induced dermatitis.
- Animal Causes
Dermatitis or skin rashes also can be caused by insect bites, bee stings or Euproctis similis stings.
- Biological Causes
Bacteria, virus, spirochete and fungi are the main biological factors for skin rash.
- Internal Causes
Metabolic disorders, food allergies, mental factor, endocrine disorders, neurological factors, visceral diseases,lymphatic circulation disorders can be also accompanied by skin rashes.
Skin Rash Treatments
Non Medications
- Essential oils, coconut oil, castor oil, neem oil or jojoba oil can be quickly absorbed by the skin. It helps in keeping the skin well moisturized and also combats rashes. Take a few drops of oils and apply it to your skin. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
- Baking soda is a great home remedy for itchy skin rashes. Use a cup of baking soda in a cool bath and soak for about half an hour for maximum relief.
- Cool compresses can be used to ease the pain and itchiness.
- The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of apple cider vinegar help treat skin rashes and ease the symptoms. You can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of water. Soak a cotton pad in this mixture and apply it to the rashes. Allow the mixture to be absorbed completely.
- Moisturizers are a great home remedy for dry skin rashes. You can use it to help relieve your dry skin. To make your moisturizer even more soothing for your dry, rash skin.
- For chronically dry skin that leads to rashes, you can try a humidifier. These are machines that add moisture to the air.
Medications
You should consult with your health-care provider before starting any medications.The following are examples of effective treatments for specific types of rashes.
For eczema:
Steroid creams like clobetasol, ,and hydrocortisone
Oral corticosteroids may be used for flares, and long-term immunosuppressive medications may be required in long-term sufferers.
For Fungal Infections:
Clotrimazole
Terbinafine
Ketoconazole
For Bacterial Infections:
Staphylococcus infections: cephalexin
Pseudomonas infection: ciprofloxacin
MRSA infection: doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Cautions
- Do not scratch, especially in areas with blisters and pimples, as long as there is a slight injury with a risk of infection. The patient often unconsciously grasps it at night, so the nails should be cut short and the child should bring him gloves to sleep.
- Clothing, especially shirts and personal clothing, should not be irritating. Generally, soft cotton cloths are the best clothes, do not wear synthetic fibers and woolen fabrics.
- Do not eat irritating and greasy foods.
- Keep skin and mucous membranes clean.
- Careful observation of systemic symptoms and their type of rash.
- Try to avoid long-term or short-term large doses of topical corticosteroids.