One of the best parts of the spring and summer months is being able to spend time outdoors. Unfortunately, the warmer seasons see a spike in skin rashes for many people. Most rashes can be treated at home, but occasionally a severe or persistent rash may require a trip to your nearest Coastal Urgent Care for treatment and fast relief.
In general, a rash is defined as a change in your skin’s color or texture that is different from normal [source: WebMD]. When you spot a rash, you probably wonder where it came from. Although your skin does have natural defenses, things like viruses, fungi and parasites can breach those defenses and cause you to break out in a rash. Many things can influence how and where you get a rash. Your age can be a factor, as aging skin is particularly prone to certain skin rashes, such as shingles, while small children are prone to rashes from chicken pox and roseola.
Types and Causes of rashes
A rash is your skin’s reaction to a substance your body is sensitive to. Unless you have been wading through poison ivy, it will likely take a lot of research and more than likely a doctor to figure it out. Some common irritants include:
- Sun poisoning
- Certain Medications
- An irritant or allergic reaction to a certain type of food (shellfish)
- Plants (poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, and nettle
- Chemicals (cleaning products, bug spray)
- An infection (ringworm)
- A virus (chickenpox)
- Bacteria (strep)
- Bites or infestation due to insects or pests (ticks, lice, or mites)
- Dry skin, which is often seen during the winter months and in elderly people
What to do if you have a rash
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.
If your skin suddenly appears red, patchy and feels itchy, you could have a rash from poison ivy or from an allergic reaction. Even if you’re not sure what has caused the rash, you know it can be very uncomfortable. If left untreated, many allergic reactions can spread and can cause you further inconvenience down the road. The leaves from poison ivy and sumac enter the skin rapidly, which means you will need to seek treatment sooner, rather than later.
Instead of trying to diagnose and treat your rash on your own, come to Coastal Urgent Care where we can assess the real cause of what is making your skin break out. We have onsite labs and you will be seen by one of our trained physicians who can give you the best steps to take and get rid of any type of skin rash you may be suffering from.