Rash

Rash (紅疹) is a common skin problem that causes sweating, allergies, eczema or viral infection. It can be classified as chronic or sudden. Because the symptoms are similar, a doctor must carefully observe before making a judgment. If the cause of the rash is unknown, Symptoms seriously affect daily life, and you should seek medical diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. 

Where are rashes found? 

• Face: Face rash can be due to allergic reactions, eczema, rosacea, or certain skin infections 
• Arms and Legs: Rashes under the armpit and legs can result from contact dermatitis, insect bites, heat rash, or viral infections like chickenpox or shingles 
• Chest and Back: Rashes on the chest and back can be caused by conditions like acne, hives, fungal infections, or psoriasis 
• Groin and Genital Area: Rashes in the groin and genital area can be due to fungal infections like jock itch or yeast infections, contact dermatitis, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 
• Hands and Feet: Rashes on the hands and feet can be caused by allergic reactions, eczema, fungal infections like athlete's foot, or certain systemic diseases 
• Whole Body: Some rashes can affect the entire body, such as viral exanthems (measles, rubella), drug reactions, or certain autoimmune conditions like erythema multiforme 

Causes of rash 

• Allergies, such as urticaria or eczema 
• Dermatitis or skin irritation 
• Viral infections Sweat and heat rashes 
• Rashes from pressure or damage to the skin 
• Prickly heat 

How to diagnose rash 

Your doctor will usually be able to tell what has caused your rash by asking you about your symptoms and taking a look at the rash.  

In some circumstance, if they cannot confirm the diagnosis or the rash is not responding to typical treatment, , they may need to do:: 

• Blood tests 
• Allergy testing 
• Skin biopsy 
• Referral to a skin specialist for assessment or other specialist procedures 

Treatments for rash 

There are many different treatments for rash, and the appropriate treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Often treating the underlying cause or removing the precipitating factors, if any, will resolve the rash.  

• Topical ointment 

Including moisturisers, steroid creams or creams with antifungals or antibacterials.  

• Oral drugs 

Oral antihistamines, antibiotics, or more specialist drugs for specific conditions, such as retinoids for acne or biologic drugs for psoriasis.  

How to prevent rash? 

• Make sure if you have eczema or dermatitis that you avoid triggers and keep your skin moisturised even on good days.  
• Properly moisturise the skin to protect the skin barrier 
• Avoid contact with known allergens 

• Maintain good personal hygiene using a mild, unscented soap 
• Maintain good hygeine to avoid catching viruses 
• Manage stress 

OT&P Medical Advice 

Rash is a common skin symptom that a variety of reasons can cause. Because the symptoms are similar, a doctor needs to observe before making a judgment. If the cause of the rash is unknown, the skin redness and swelling are severe and it affects your life, you should seek medical diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. You can make an appointment with our family doctor for a consultation. 

References 

1. WebMD. Rashes. 1 Dec 2023 Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/common-rashes
2. healthline. Everything You Need to Know About Rashes. 1 Dec 2023 Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/rashes
3. Cleveland Clinic. Skin Rash. 1 Dec 2023 Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin