When your body is exposed or consumed to something unwanted materials, then there will be skin rashes on the body due to allergic reactions in the body. The main reason is that body will be so sensitive to certain things, so it tends to occur some allergic skin rashes on the body. In this article, we are going to explore the meaning of skin rash and also about a few types of skin allergy which causes rashes on the body.
What is Skin Rashes?
Skin rashes can be caused by many things and it occurs when the body is prone to any allergic reactions due to the exposure of the unwanted allergens from the environment or sometimes by consuming the medications or food. So, this will tend to get skin rashes, because it will lead to lesions with the swallowed irritated skin. Sometimes skin rashes can also occur due to certain types of underlying diseases or skin disorders. In addition, skin allergy will cause hives, itching, change the skin from normal to abnormal texture, tends to rashes in the skin with inflammation.
Types of Skin Allergies
There are many types of skin allergies, can get due to the following reasons.
- Skin rash can occur by viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.
- Medications including diuretics, seizure medications, antibiotics, etc., will trigger allergic reactions in the body.
- Skin allergy also can occur by using the wrong skin products (perfume, cream, and other cosmetics).
- Some people can get skin allergies due to some food products.
- Skin allergic reactions can occur due to insect stings.
- Skin allergies can also get due to plants like poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac.
- Autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Scleroderma, dermatomyositis, etc can cause skin allergies.
- Skin allergies sometimes can cause by local irritants like hard chemicals, diaper rash, fabrics, dyes, etc.
Types of Skin Rashes
Eczema- Skin Allergy
It is the most common skin condition where you can see common among children when compared to adults. The other name of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Sign and symptoms are dry white scaly patches that flake off from the skin. The meaning of this rash is that the affected area will be itchy, red. Also, skin rashes will occur on the body, and in addition, there is a chance of hair loss from the affected area. Furthermore, puss can be formed in the inflammation area. Moreover, this type of skin rash can cause a family history of allergies.
It is also linked with a food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), infections, heat, and also by medications. Try to use mild soap and you can apply the moisturizer to the skin twice per day. Avoid bathing in hot water and limit your baths to 15 minutes. Treatment includes phototherapy, oral drugs, steroid creams, ointments, antibiotics, etc.
Contact Dermatitis- Skin Allergy
The meaning of the skin rash it will produce rashes, if the skin can get direct contact with any type of allergens, then the skin allergy will occur and it will cause contact dermatitis on the body. Sometimes the chemical substances might be irritants and allergens. Contact dermatitis can get by getting contact with hard chemicals, poisonous plants, laundry detergents, soaps, fabric products, a certain type of metals, skincare & beauty products. The skin will be swollen, red, itchy, bumpy, scaly, and visible rashes. After getting contact with the allergen, the rashes may appear in hours to days. Treatments include oral medications, steroid creams, ointments, etc.
Psoriasis- Skin Disease
An autoimmune disease that mostly affects the knees, lower back, elbows, scalps, it can appear in any part of the body. This type of skin allergy can be developed by family history. In addition, psoriasis is associated with other diseases like diabetes, heart problems, etc. Moreover, the skin will be scaly, with thick raised patches and it is called plaques. The meaning of the skin rash is that patches will be in pink or red color and it will be covered with slivery dry scaled skin on the body Treatments for psoriasis are topical ointments, oral medications, phototherapy, etc.
Shingles- Skin Associated Infection
It is a painful rash and shingles are caused by the chickenpox virus. Shingles otherwise called herpes zoster. The virus sometimes will remain inactive in the nerve tissues and after some years this virus will become reactive and it will cause shingles. This type of skin rashes can occur anywhere on your body. Generally, shingles will appear in single stripes of blisters, and in addition, it will have uncomfortable sensations such as pain, itchy, tinging in the affected area. In addition, the fluid-filled blisters tend that it can break easily and other symptoms of shingles are headache, fatigue, chills, fever, muscle weakness, etc. Serious complication includes loss of hearing, taste, dizziness, more pain in the ear, etc.
Shingles in the scalp may lead to bald patches. 10 to 20 % shingles can affect in and around the eye. If it is not get treated, it will cause vision loss. Moreover, try to not touch the blisters often. Early detection and treatment will help to cure the shingles. Treatments include antiviral medications, anti-inflammation drugs, anti-depressants drugs, Vaccinations like zostavax will be more effective to cure the shingles.
Hives- Skin Allergy
The other name of hives is urticaria. It will cause the itchy raised welt in the skin. The meaning of this skin rash is that hives are caused due to allergic reactions in the body. When our body is having any allergic reactions, usually our body will produce a chemical called histamines. The function of the histamine is to get defend against infections and outside intruders. But unfortunately, some people will get itchiness, swelling, etc. Mainly this type of skin allergy will cause due to the allergens in the food or medications or allergens from the environment or airborne allergens or medical treatment or insect bites or pet dander.
The skin rashes will appear in reddish or pink color and the shape will be oval or round or worm-shaped inflammation can occur. In addition, it can easily change the shape and spread in the body. Hives are classified as acute and chronic. Usually, hives are acute, that can go quickly, but in some cases, it turns into chronic and stays for a long time (months or years). Angioedema can rise along with hives or even alone because it will cause swelling in deeper layers in the skin around the lips and face. Treatment includes medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-itchy drugs, antihistamines will be given.
Rosacea- Skin Condition
It is a common chronic skin condition that can occur in adults. Face parts like cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead will have reddish patches and pimples. Moreover, in the skin, small red lines will be clearly visible. The meaning of this skin rash is that blisters in rashes will turn out into the opened sores especially in the area like eyes, mouth, genitals. It may produce red, small, puss-filled bumps and can spread quickly. Rosacea can be classified into subparts.
Enlarged nose, irritated eye problems, redness in the face, dryness in the skin, and skin sensitivity are the common symptoms. This type of skin allergy can be caused by various factors like family history, certain cosmetic products, a certain type of medications, hot drinks, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and extremes of temperatures, etc. There is no proper treatment or cure for this rosacea. But early detection can reduce and control the rosacea. Treatments include oral antibiotics, topical drugs oral acne drug can help to reduce this skin problem.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus- Autoimmune Disease
The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which will affect the different organs and system in the body. Butterfly-shaped skin rashes on the cheeks and the nose can be able to see in the affected person. SLE is the most common type of disease in lupus disease. Rashes may get the change to the ulcer. Skin will become more sensitive to the sun. In addition, skin lesions will worsen with photosensitivity. The appearance of red or purple flaky spots, scaly rashes in the area of arms, back, neck, and face.
The causes of SLE include family history, UV rays, certain medications, trauma, infections, etc. There is no cure for SLE, but certain treatments can reduce and control the disease. Every treatment will be varied depending upon the body parts. Treatments include steroid creams, anti-inflammatory infections, anti-malarial drugs, corticosteroids, etc. This will be given to control the disease.
Impetigo- Skin Infection
It is a common skin condition seen among children and less seen in adults. Impetigo is a bacterial contagious skin disease where it will affect the face, hands, neck with crusty sores. This type of skin allergy is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus and group A β haemolytic streptococcus are a bacterial organism. Moreover, the irritating skin rashes and blisters filled with fluids can pop very easily.
It is classified into two types. They are non- bullous impetigo and bullous impetigo. Non- bullous impetigo will have red sores around the nose and mouth, whereas bullous impetigo has large blisters in the legs, arms, trunk. Treatments include oral antibiotics, lotions, topical antibiotics, etc., because it can help to cure this disease.
Intertrigo- Skin Allergy
It is a most common skin condition which can occur in the skin folds like under armpits, under the breasts, under the belly folds, between toes, in the inner thighs, between the fingers, between the buttocks, in the groin, etc. The meaning of this skin rash is, that this rash can be caused by skin folds or skin-to-skin friction. Because it can create a moist and warm environment. In addition, this type of environment invades bacterial, fungal infections in the body.
The skin will become so painful and it can lead to severe cases which results in bleeding, oozing sores, etc. But sometimes, there is a chance of the development of bacterial or fungal infections in the affected site. This skin rash is most common among people having diabetes, overweight, etc. By wearing loose-fitting clothes, reducing weights, using skin powder can help to prevent these skin rashes. Treatments include treating the infections by medications, antibiotic, steroid creams, etc., will help to cure this skin disease.
Christmas Tree Rash- Skin Condition
It causes scaly itchy rashes in the skin. The other name of the Christmas tree rash is Pityriasis rosea. It is oval-shaped skin patches that may appear in different parts of the body. Usually, this type of skin rashes can be seen as common between the ages of 10 to 35 years people. The meaning of the skin rash is, it may resemble like Christmas tree or pine tree branches pattern in the back of the body.
Initially, this type of skin rash will start appearing and developing from the herald or mother patch, where it can measure up to 4 inches in the back, chest, or abdomen. In addition, the small rounded scale patches might appear near these herald patches. So, it is called daughter patches. Sometimes, affected people will get only daughter patches or only herald patches. The causes of the Christmas rash is unknown. But this rash is not caused by allergy and also by a bacterial or fungal infection. However, researchers believe this rash might be caused by viral infections. In most cases, this skin rash will go on its own from 4 weeks to 10 weeks. For rare cases, treatment involving antiviral drugs, antihistamines, corticosteroids, light therapy, etc, may be required.
Heat Rash- Skin Condition
This skin rash is common during the hot, humid weather. The other name of the heat rash is miliaria. Moreover, it affects both children and adults. It has occurred, when the sweat glands are blocked in the skin. So the sweat cannot able to escape and this skin condition tends to form when your skin is getting rubbed against clothes or skin. So, it will form near the skin folds of the underarms, neck, breast, belly, groin, etc. The meaning of the skin rash is, overheat and clogged pores will produce rashes. Try to reduce the friction and stay cool to prevent this heat skin rash.
Prickly heat or miliaria rubra is a type of heat rash, where it appears in small clusters, red bumps that producing the pricking sensation. Miliaria crystalline is the next type of heat rash, where the bumps will appear clear and fluid-filled with no other signs. The other type of heat rash is miliaria profunda, which is the common least type and it occurs in the deepest layer of the skin. Cool bathing, wearing a loose dress, weight loss because this will help to get rid of this heat rash.
Lichen planus- Skin Condition
It is an inflammatory condition that develops on the skin and mucous membranes and it can occur at any age. The skin rash appears purplish often with flat-topped bumps with lesions. Lichen planus will be itchy and it covers the area of mouth, vagina, mucous membranes with lacy- white patches, and sometimes it will be painful sores. In addition, blisters might be a break to form the crusts. The immune system will trigger the Lichen planus.
The contributing factors to cause this skin rash are allergens, viral infections, viral disease – hepatitis C, family history (genetics), medications, dyes, etc. Moreover, this type of skin allergy can be clear in its own way. But sometimes treatment provides a full cure for this skin condition. Treatment includes corticosteroids, oral anti-infection drug, light therapy, antihistamines, retinoids, and also other medications and that will help to cure this type of skin allergy.
Drug Rash- Skin Allergy
The skin can be allergic and react with some kinds of drugs or medication. The other name is drug rash or drug eruption. Medication includes diuretics, anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics will cause skin rash and some drugs will tend to produce the rash when the skin is exposed in sunlight. Moreover, the build-up of the drugs will cause toxicity to the skin. The meaning of the skin rash is, some medicines will produce rashes. Sometimes skin rash will start with the red spots and it will slowly spread and also it covers throughout the body. In most cases, drug rash will be symmetric. In addition, the drugs allergic reactions have more chances to affect the respiratory organs and also other organs in the body.
The drug side effect is different from a drug allergy. Drug rashes are included with hives. The skin rashes will be itchy and swelling which will occur from many days till weeks in the body. The other symptoms include fever, red or purple dots, stomach upset. Exanthematous rashes, photosensitivity reactions, urticarial rashes, Anti-coagulant induced skin necrosis, erythroderma, (SJS) Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drugs reaction with eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms (DRESS) are the common types of drug rashes.
In the above types, some skin rashes will have lesions. Sometimes there is a chance to change life-threatening cases. Usually drug rash will disappear in the skin when you stop taking the drugs. Depending upon the type of drug skin rashes, treatment will be given.
Cercarial Dermatitis- Skin Allergy
The other name of the swimmer’s itch is cercarial dermatitis. Moreover, this type of skin rash is common in swimming pools, ponds, and lakes. The meaning of this rash is it will cause itchy reddish pimples in infested water. Waterborne parasites will burrow in the skin and it tends to skin allergic reactions. Because it causes the itchy skin rash with reddish pimples or blisters or tiny bumps. Waterborne parasites can found in mammals, waterfowl. Sometimes swimmers itch will go away on its own within a week, but you should keep following the home remedies. Treatment includes corticosteroid cream or anti-lotion, anti-histamines, etc., because it will help to get rid of this skin condition.
Cellulitis- Skin Infection
It is a serious bacterial skin infection. At first, it will appear red, painful, swollen which will be warm and tender to touch. In addition, the inflammation and redness will be spread quickly in the skin. Mostly, it will affect the skin in the lower of the legs and also the infection can occur in any part of the body like arms, face, etc. Moreover, cellulitis will affect the underneath of the tissues.
The infection can spread to your bloodstream, lymph nodes and it will lead to life-threatening cases. So try to start the treatment immediately. The most common streptococcus and staphylococcus will enter through the break or crack or cuts or injuries in the skin. Treatment includes antibiotics, drugs against the bacteria, etc., because it will help to get rid of this skin condition.
Fifth disease- Skin Disease
It is a viral disease that results in red- rashes on cheeks, arms, legs. It is also called slapped cheek disease. The symptoms are fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, high fever, etc. The meaning of this skin rash is that the bright rounded- skin rash on the cheeks and the appearance of lacy pattern rash in legs, arms. The main cause of this fifth disease is parvovirus B19. It is an air-borne virus that will spread via saliva, respiratory secretions among children. This fifth disease will also occur in pregnant women, immunocompromised people, children, etc. The medications will help in improving the immune system and the doctor will prescribe the drugs according to the body condition.
Ringworm- Skin Infection
The parasite causes this fungal infection. Ringworm of the body (tinea corpis) is also known as dermatophytosis. The meaning of this skin rash is, it will form a ring-shaped structure in the body. It will cause the ring or circular- shaped, red, scaly, slightly raised plaques, itchy rashes in the body. The patches will develop the blisters in the skin. Different types of fungi will cause ringworm disease. They are ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis), ringworm of the body (tinea corpis), Athletes foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris). Usually, doctors will differentiate according to the affected area of the body. The ring will grow outside and also spread the infection in the body. Treatment includes antifungal medications to get rid of this skin disease.
Scabies- Skin Infestation
Sarcoptes scabies causes itchy skin allergy conditions. It is a burrowing mite and moreover, Scabies is contagious skin diseases and it will spread through physical contact. The meaning of these skin rashes is that it will be itchy tiny blisters and appear in the raised flesh-toned or white toned lines. The most common sites for adults and children are wrist, elbows, waist, buttocks, armpit, penis, nipple, between the fingers. For babies, the common sites are the neck, hands, face, head, and soles of the feet. Treatment for scabies, the common medications are crotamiton, permethrin cream, ivermectin, etc. Also, natural remedies like applying prescribed lotions, a certain type of essential oils will help to get rid of scabies. But try the natural remedies according to the doctor’s guidance.
Measles- Skin Associated Disease
It causes red skin rashes which will spread from the face to down in the body. Virus’s paramyxovirus family causes a highly contagious airborne viral infection. Initially, it will affect the respiratory system and slowly spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. The wide-spread skin rash appears in white tiny spots with bluish-white centered in the reddish background will found inside the mouth in the inner lining of the cheek. The other name of these spots is kopliks spots. Symptoms of measles are fever, cough, red eyes, sore throat, white spots in the mouth, etc. There is no proper treatment for these diseases. Vaccination can help to prevent measles. Medications include antibiotics, fever reducers, and also help to control these diseases.
Kawasaki disease- Skin Associated Inflammation
Usually, it affects children under the age of 5 years. It is a rare, but serious diseases which will cause skin rashes, fever, etc., in the early stages and can lead to the complication in the coronary arteries called an aneurysm. The other name of Kawasaki disease is mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. It affects the gland, swelling in the lymphoid nodes, skin, and mucous membrane inside the nose, throat, and mouth. Red swollen tongue, redness palms and soles, high fever, bloodshot eyes, and swollen lymph nodes are the early stages symptoms. Later stages signs include enlarged gall bladder, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc. The proper exact cause of this disease is unknown. Researchers believe that environmental factors, genetics may cause KD. Treatment, medicines will help to reduce inflammation and fever and also prevent heart damage.
FAQs regarding Skin Allergy and Skin Rash
It is a common chronic skin condition that can occur in adults. Face parts like cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead will have reddish patches and pimples. In addition, small red lines can be seen on the skin. Blisters in rashes will turn out into the opened sores especially in the area like eyes, mouth, genitals.
The skin can be allergic and react with some kinds of drugs or medication and hence it is called a drug rash or drug eruption. The meaning of the skin rash is, some medicines will produce rashes. Medication includes diuretics, anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics will cause skin rash and some drugs will tend to produce the rash when the skin is exposed in sunlight. Moreover, the build-up of the drugs will cause toxicity to the skin
This skin rash is common during the hot, humid weather. Heat rash is otherwise known as miliaria and it affects both children and adults. This skin rash has occurred, when the sweat glands are blocked in the skin. So the sweat cannot able to escape and this skin condition tends to form when your skin is getting rubbed against clothes or skin. So it will form near the skin folds of the underarms, neck, breast, belly, groin, etc. The meaning of the skin rash is, overheat and clogged pores will produce rashes.
It is a serious bacterial skin infection. At first, it will appear red, painful, swollen which will be warm and tender to touch. In addition, the inflammation and redness will be spread quickly in the skin. Mostly, it will affect the skin in the lower of the legs and also the infection can occur in any part of the body like arms, face, etc.
Editor’s note | Skin Allergy
In this pandemic situation, try to maintain social distancing when you are visiting the hospital or medical shop. As per CDC rules, any place should sanitize the place regularly, so make sure they are following the instructions properly. In some cases, researchers recently found that skin rashes are also the symptoms of COVID- 19. In addition to that, the virus tends to infect the skin and it will cause the infections. Avoid Self- medications, which will be more complicated and it might lead to life-threatening problems. So try to consult the doctor immediately as soon as when you notice any type of skin rashes or skin allergy on the body. Follow the proper guidelines or instructions given by the doctor where you can avoid unnecessary complications.
