Rashes

Rashes appear as an area of changed skin color or texture.  They can be red, itchy, bumpy, crusty, blistering or scaly.  There are many common causes of rashes including contact with irritants, eczema, viruses, fungus and bacteria.  Rashes can also be a sign that there is another underlying medical condition.  Your dermatologist can evaluate your rash to determine the cause of the rash and the appropriate treatment plan. Below are examples of several different types of rashes:

Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by contact of your skin with irritants such as poison ivy, detergent, dyes, makeup, perfume and latex.

Atopic dermatitisis the most common form of eczema; it is likely genetic, though the exact cause is unclear.   It may be caused by a breakdown of the skin’s barrier cells or by immune dysfunction resulting in IgE sensitization.  The rash of atopic dermatitis is often red and itchy and usually presents for the first time during childhood. Atopic dermatitis is often seen in people with asthma and allergies.  There are multiple treatment options available including moisturizers, topical steroids, topical immunomodulators, barrier repair creams and UV therapy.

Shingles is caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox and may present with tingling pain before the rash even appears.  The rash typically looks like small fluid-filled blisters on a red base and only presents on one side of the body.  The most common treatment option is an oral antiviral pill.  If untreated, the tingling pain can remain long after the rash resolves.

Ringworm is the common name for “Tinea Corporis”, a rash caused by fungus that lives on the skin.  Tinea versicolor and “jock-itch” are also rashes caused by fungus and can be treated by your dermatologist after an evaluation.  Fungal rashes can be treated with topical or oral medications.

Impetigo is a bacterical infection of the skin caused by strep or staph bacteria.  It presents as many small blisters filled with yellowish fluid or pus, the blisters are often crusted.  Impetigo is contagious and should be evaluated promptly by your dermatologist.