Rashes

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Rashes

Alternative Names:

Skin redness or inflammation; Skin lesion; Rubor; Skin rash; Erythema
Home Care:

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Most simple rashes will improve with gentle skin care and avoiding irritating substances. Follow these general guidelines:

Avoid scrubbing your skin.
Use as little soap as possible. Use gentle cleansers instead.
Avoid applying cosmetic lotions or ointments directly on the rash.
Use warm (not hot) water for cleaning. Pat dry, don't rub.
Eliminate any newly added cosmetics or lotions.
Leave the affected area exposed to the air as much as possible.
Try calamine medicated lotion for poison ivy, oak, or sumac as well as other types of contact dermatitis.

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, or shingles.

For psoriasis, you may need a prescription. You could also talk to your doctor about ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. It is safest to have such treatment under medical supervision. However, not all clinics or hospitals offer light therapy. Home units are available, but the cost is not always covered by insurance. If you do purchase a home unit, look for a device that delivers narrow band UVB light.

For seborrheic dermatitis, try applying small amounts of anti-dandruff shampoo to patches of this scaly rash on your skin, especially near hairy areas like your eyebrows. Leave on for 10 minutes and then carefully rinse off. If the shampoo feels irritating or your skin becomes redder, STOP use.

For impetigo, an antibacterial cream or oral antibiotic is generally prescribed.

See article on poison ivy, oak, and sumac to learn how to treat and prevent this type of contact dermatitis.

Call your health care provider if:

Call 911 if:

You are short of breath, your throat is tight, or your face is swollen.
Your child has a purple rash that looks like a bruise.

Call your health care provider if:

You have joint pain, fever, or a sore throat.
You have streaks of redness, swelling, or very tender areas. These may indicate an infection.
You are taking a new medication. DO NOT change or stop any of your medications without talking to your doctor.
You may have a tick bite.
Home treatment is ineffective, or your symptoms get worse.

What to expect at your health care provider's office: