Fact Checked
What You Should Know About Skin Rashes
A skin rash is not a medical diagnosis. It is rather a term used to identify the outbreak or development of discoloration and inflammation on the skin, changing the skin’s overall appearance. There are a wide range of rashes – some are infectious, some can cause fever, and some may last shorter than the others.
Listed below are some of the most common forms of skin rashes:
- Atopic dermatitis – Often called as eczema, atopic dermatitis is a skin rash usually developed during childhood. It produces most and itchy rashes on skin folds, such as the neck, ankles, wrists, on the inner portions of the elbows, and at the back of the knee. Children who have allergies and asthma are more susceptible to developing atopic dermatitis.
- Seborrheic dermatitis – Unlike atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis is more common among adults. This rash produces itchy and scaly lesions on the scalp, cheeks, eyebrows, forehead and outer ear. Exposure to sunlight is one cause of seborrheic dermatitis.
- Contact dermatitis – This kind of rash usually develop when exposed to certain objects with chemical contents to which the patient is allergic. Contact dermatitis irritates the part of the skin that had been exposed or had come in direct contact with the object. The characteristic of the rash is oozy, moist, reddish and usually itchy.
- Psoriasis – This rash is caused by infection and produces dry and scaly bumps, unlike the different kinds of dermatitis that are moist and oozy. The dry scale usually become flake in the long run until it falls off. Common areas affected by psoriasis include the knees, elbows, scalp and feet.
- Diaper rash – another common type of rash among infants is the diaper rash. This develops when the sensitive skin of the baby is in contact with diapers (filled with feces or urine) for a long period of time. The swelling and reddish rash is painful and warm to touch. The older adult population may also be susceptible to diaper rash if they are wearing adult diapers for long periods.
- Heat rash – Heat rash produces skin eruptions that are swollen, reddish, painful and warm to touch. This usually happens when the person is exposed to extremely hot temperatures or direct sunlight. Common sites of heat rash are the upper chest, around the neck, elbow skin folds, and groins. As a preventive measure, the person is usually removed from a hot environment to a cooler place.
Related Video on Skin Rashes:
Sources:
“Psoriasis Self-Care.” My Doctor. Retrieved online on August 18, 2014 from http://www.mydr.com.au/pharmacy-care/psoriasis-self-care
“How are common skin rash diagnosed?” Medicine Net. Retrieved online on August 18, 2014 from http://www.medicinenet.com/rash/page2.htm