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Rashes

Skin redness or inflammation; Skin lesion; Rubor; Skin rash; Erythema

Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.

Images

Rash
Poison oak rash on the arm
Erythema toxicum on the foot
Acrodermatitis
Roseola
Shingles
Cellulitis
Erythema annulare centrifugum - close-up
Psoriasis - guttate on the arms and chest
Psoriasis - guttate on the cheek
Systemic lupus erythematosus rash on the face
Poison ivy on the knee
Poison ivy on the leg
Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands
Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm
Erythema multiforme on the leg

Considerations

Often, the cause of a rash can be determined from how it looks and its location and symptoms. Skin testing, such as a scraping or biopsy, may also be used to help with diagnosis. Sometimes, the cause of the rash remains unknown.

Causes

A simple rash is called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is caused by things your skin touches, such as:

Seborrheic dermatitis is a rash that appears in patches of redness and scaling around the eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, nose, trunk, and behind the ears. If it happens on your scalp, it is called dandruff in adults and cradle cap in infants.

Age, stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampooing, and alcohol-based lotions aggravate this harmless but bothersome condition.

Other common causes of a rash include:

Many medical conditions can cause a rash as well. These include:

Home Care

Many simple rashes will improve with gentle skin care and by avoiding irritating substances. Follow these general guidelines:

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. Stronger hydrocortisone or other steroid creams are available with a prescription. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema or psoriasis. Oral antihistamines may help relieve itchy skin.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number if:

Contact your health care provider if:

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Questions may include:

Tests may include:

Depending on the cause of your rash, treatments may include medicated creams or lotions, medicines taken by mouth, or skin surgery.

Many primary care providers are comfortable dealing with common rashes. For more complicated skin disorders, you may need a referral to a dermatologist.

Related Information

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

References

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Cutaneous signs and diagnosis. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 2.

Ko CJ. Approach to skin diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 407.

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Review Date: 11/30/2022  

Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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