Identifying the causes for an unexpected skin breakout can get more difficult than expected. There are many different types of rashes, varying in shape, size, cause, and duration. Many skin lesions appear as a signal to know that the viruses and bacteria attacking the body – they are also known as rashes.
Some rashes can be patchy or spread out all over with dry skin. Most rashes clear out after some time but a few may be long-lasting rashes that need constant care. Each type of rash has a different treatment method but it is necessary to identify them correctly before treating.
9 Most Common Types of Rashes
Some rashes can be usual but some can be difficult to treat. Here are 9 commonly seen types of rashes you must know to distinguish between other rare conditions:
1. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is the most common skin condition seen in children as a rash on face, forehead, or scalp gets found, which is itchy, scaly, and uncomfortable. Atopic dermatitis in childhood can lead to mild effects in adulthood.
Symptoms:
- Itchiness around infected areas
- Skin inflammations
- Thick crusty skin around the infection due to long-term itching
- Small blisters full of liquid puss
Causes:
Even though there are no clear reasons for diagnosis, eczema is generally present in the family with a history of allergies. Stress, skin irritants, climate changes, and environmental factors can also trigger eczema symptoms.
Treatment:
It is better to avoid sweat, overheating, and a humid environment. Glycerin or mineral oils-based moisturizers without fragrance can help the skin rash heal and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter medications or ointment with hydrocortisone are also helpful. Antibiotics and antihistamines might help in severe conditions. Phototherapy, the ultraviolet sunlight, might help treat eczema, there might also be side effects like mild burns, prematurely ageing skin, freckles, etc.
2. Bug Bites
A bite or stinger from insects like bees, wasps, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and ants may lead to serious-looking rashes. The pain may vary from mild to severe as some bug bites can result from insect skin allergy. Although they are harmless for the most part, it possibly spreads many diseases like Lyme disease, Zika virus, dengue, and malaria, which can lead to serious health problems.
Symptoms:
- Small blisters around the stung or bitten area
- Swollen redness
- Burning itches
- Pimple-like red spots clustered in one area
Treatment:
Using insect repellents with permethrin being the primary ingredient or wearing fully covered clothes can be a better way of preventing bug bites. For painful bites, it’s better to use over-the-counter painkillers, and for itchy skin, using ice packs, anti-itch creams, or oral allergic medicines might work well.
3. Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a skin condition that forms red welts. If the hives last for more than six weeks, it is called chronic hives. It starts with itchy patches and turns into a swollen welt.
Symptoms:
- Welt patches around the body
- Coloured-welts differ from person to person depending upon the skin colour
- Intense itching
- Painful and swollen eyes, cheeks, or lips
- Recurring symptoms triggered by heat or stress
- Small red patches on skin
Causes:
Even Though most hives appear without any cause, it turns into severe skin rash due to the release of immune system chemicals called histamine. Heat or cold waves can trigger these conditions. Excessive sunlight can also be one of the reasons. Vibrations or pressure on the skin can also be the reason for chronic hives. It can also be a symptom of severe diseases like thyroid or cancer.
Treatment:
Allergy medicines and anti-itch creams can work to control the flared reaction. Avoiding triggers and self-hygiene is a must.
4. Contact Dermatitis
Different skin allergy types appear as the skin comes in contact with the allergen substance known as contact dermatitis.
Symptoms:
- Itchy skin
- Bumpy red patches on skin
- Irritated skin
- Tender swelling around the affected areas
Causes:
These rashes can be a result of exposure to allergens like foreign detergents, cosmetics, jewellery, soaps, poisonous plants, chemicals of latex or elastics, etc.
Treatment:
Identifying the main culprit of these allergic reactions and eliminating them is necessary. Using a cool and wet cloth around the allergic area may be soothing.
5. Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that triggers rash on hands, feet, and legs. If the treatment is not done on time, the infection may spread to other areas, which may be life-threatening.
Symptoms:
- Red, swollen blisters
- Painful inflammatory glands
- Swollen fingers or back of the hand
Treatment:
Taking antibiotics and painkillers can be very helpful for a speedy recovery. Elevating the infected area can reduce swelling. It is important to have fluids to keep hydrated. Cleaning any wounds or cuts with antiseptic creams can help prevent the infection from recurring.
6. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused due to the varicella-zoster virus. It usually affects people who haven’t had it or have not got vaccinated against it. They form under three stages – small bumps turn into blisters and then scabbed rashes.
Symptoms:
- Irritable spots all over the body
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and Laziness
- Red liquid-filled blisters with crust and scabs.
Causes:
It’s a commonly seen skin condition that spreads through skin contact or droplets of cough from an already infected person.
Treatment:
The chickenpox vaccine is the best preventive measure against these types of rashes. But it might not be approved during pregnancies, people with weak immune systems, and people with gelatin or antibiotic neomycin allergies.
7. Shingles
It is a viral infection that’s caused by the same virus as chickenpox. It appears as a single stripe of blisters around the torso.
Symptoms:
- Sensitive infected areas
- Constant itching
- Reddish painful rashes
- Blisters filled with pus
- May ooze out liquid if scratched
- Mild fever
- Headaches
Treatment:
The shingles vaccine, called the Shingrix vaccine, may help prevent these conditions. They get recommended for older people from age 50 and above. But it is better to talk to a health care provider before any vaccination decisions.
8. Lichen Planus
Lichen Planus is a skin condition that produces rashes on hands and legs but mostly on shins. It is a thick collection of bumps, often targeting adults between the ages of 30 – 70.
Symptoms:
- Shiny reddish-purple bumps
- Rashes on the head may cause hair loss
- Sometimes it may turn nails brittle
Causes:
As it is an autoimmune condition, the immune system attacks its body tissues, but the reasons remain unknown. It is a triggering reaction for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Treatment:
Lichen planus has no cure yet, but it gets under control with anti-itch ointment. Doctors may also prescribe medicinal drugs that strengthen the immune system.
9. Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is one of the most common types of rashes on face that can be seen in young adult females that erupts liquid pus. It mainly affects perioral areas but might be seen in periocular or paranasal skin.
Symptoms:
- Pink scaly rashes mostly, around the mouth, neck, or nose
- Small peeling of skin
- Inflammatory papules
- Red bumps
- Sensitive sensations around the infected areas
Causes:
There can be multiple factors at play: hormones, environment, or genetics are some of the main components. But it may get triggered by steroids present in face products.
Treatment:
Tropical therapies can help as an instant remedy. Azelaic gels or metronidazole creams are some of the treatment options. The oral antibiotic may get used during more severe symptoms.
Conclusion
Often skin acts as a barrier from the outer world. The skin contains cell tissues, which help fight against germs, viruses, and bacteria to maintain a healthy body. This constant resistance may lead to different types of rashes. They can appear due to many changeable factors that can get replaced or eliminated. Babies can obtain rashes due to multiple factors, such as dirty diapers. While most rashes heal over time, some may stay for life-long.
Rashes can also be an underlying effect of a dangerous health condition. So identifying them should be the first and foremost step of all. Maintaining a continuous skin care treatment may be a better way of keeping the skin healthy and preventing future skin conditions.
There are skin allergy types that get triggered by multiple things. It is better to figure out your allergic reactions and their responses beforehand. If the rashes are uncomfortable or severely painful, it may be better to consult a health specialist and follow the advised treatment.
