Skin Rash Causes

There is no exact meaning to the term ‘rash’ when used in relation to a skin condition. A rash may signify an abnormal skin condition or an outbreak of bumps on the skin. There is an alteration of the way the skin appears and feels. Skin rashes may be localized in specific areas of the body or could even be widespread, with similar symptoms occurring on various different parts of the body.

Depending on the usage of the term ‘rash’ there are three main categories into which all rashes could be classified. These categories have been specifically devised to aid the doctors in diagnosing and treating these skin conditions. The types of skin rashes are:

• Dry and scaly patches of skin which are not caused by any infection.
• Dry and scaly patches on the skin which are caused by infections or allergies.
• Bumps which are itchy and may begin to ooze, anywhere on the body.

Rashes are not always dangerous; however, if they are itchy, they can bleed on repeated scratching and cause infection. Since there are different types of skin rashes, it is always advisable to take a doctor’s opinion instead of self diagnosing the skin rash. Proper evaluation of a rash would help the doctor diagnose it correctly and treat it accordingly. Usually, scaly and dry patches do not cause infection. They are generally referred to as a skin condition known as eczema. However, itchy skin rashes may not be as harmless. If they itch a lot and are scratched repeatedly, you may end up breaking the skin and exposing the rash to bacteria and viruses. This should not be taken lightly and should be shown to a doctor as soon as possible.

Depending on the type of skin rash you have, the doctor will be able to treat it. A lot of skin rashes occur due to allergies. Allergic reactions to proteins, resins, pollen, bee stings, poison ivy and other chemicals may cause the skin to break out in rashes. The treatment of the allergic condition usually takes care of the rashes as well, which are nothing but symptoms of the allergy.
Other rashes, which may be due to genetic disorders, would require extensive testing and probing, before a treatment may be recommended. Such rashes include atopic dermatitis, a condition where there is hereditary eczema. Rashes caused by bacterial or fungal infections are usually taken care of by topical antibiotics or antifungal ointments.