Rashes

What is a rash?

A rash is an irritated area of the skin. Common symptoms of a rash include:

• Redness and inflammation
• Itchy or painful
• Blisters
• Patches of raw skin

Your genetic profile can make you more susceptible to rashes. Your rash can develop immediately or take several days.

While a rash can clear up on its own with home remedies, if it doesn’t go away, the team at LaSante Health Center can evaluate your skin and help identify the cause and the most appropriate treatment.

What are the common types of rashes?

Your rash could be one of a number of types. Some of the most common types of rashes include:

• Contact dermatitis: develops after touching an irritant such as poison ivy
• Eczema: a chronic skin condition
• Granuloma annulare: a chronic skin condition that causes a circular rash
• Lichen planus: a skin disorder that causes flat-topped bumps
• Pityriasis rosea: a mild rash that causes patches of pink, scaly skin

Your provider can diagnose the type of rash you have after an examination of your skin, review of your medical history, and other symptoms.

How is a rash treated?

Your LaSante Health Center provider will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your rash and the severity of your symptoms. Treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Topical anti-itch cream
• Use of skin-sensitive lotions, detergents, and soaps

If your rash is caused by an allergic reaction, avoiding the irritant, such as poison ivy, to the best of your ability is recommended.

What is eczema?

Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes itchy, red patches of skin. It’s a chronic condition that flares up periodically. A family history of eczema will increase your risk of developing this rash.

Common symptoms include:

• Dry skin
• Severely itchy skin, especially at night
• Bumpy blisters that leak fluid
• Thick, cracked, and scaly skin

There’s no cure for eczema, but your provider can develop an individualized treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms. Common treatments include:

• Creams that control itching
• Medication to treat infection
• Use of wet dressings

Light therapy – exposing your rash to sunlight or use of an artificial ultraviolet A light lamp – could also be recommended.

For diagnosis and care of an unexplained skin rash, call LaSante Health Center or book an appointment online.