Rash on the skin is a very common phenomenon that accompanies a number of diseases. Moreover, rashes appear on the epidermis not only in the case of dermatological ailments. Redness, itching and swelling of the skin is often a local reaction to external or internal factors. Therefore, first of all, it is important to understand that a skin rash is not a disease, but just a symptom that can be de alt with in only one way - by eliminating the root cause.
What can cause rashes on the body
The most common cause of a rash in adults and children is one or more of the following:
- Infectious disease.
- Dermatological problems.
- Hormonal failure.
- Allergic reaction.
- Internal diseases.
The first two causes of rashes on the body are the most common. Speaking of infectious infection, it is worth noting diseases for which a rash on the skin is the main symptom:
- measles;
- chickenpox;
- scarlet fever;
- rubella;
- herpes.
These viral diseases are accompanied by fever, chills, headache, weakness. Children are predominantly affected by these ailments. An itchy rash on the skin of a child affects his general well-being, the baby becomes irritable and capricious.
Syphilitic eruptions
In adults, rashes on the body may indicate the presence of a serious sexually transmitted disease (balanoposthitis, trichomoniasis, AIDS). By the way, syphilis also manifests itself in a rash. This insidious disease is characterized by pathological formations on the skin that do not occur immediately. Treatment of syphilis in the early stages, when the clinical picture is presented only by rashes, allows you to predict the most favorable outcome. In order not to lose precious time and start therapy as early as possible, at the slightest suspicion of an illness, you should consult a doctor.
It is worth noting that to confirm the diagnosis, the patient, regardless of gender, will have to donate blood. It is impossible to determine the etiology of a skin rash from a photo or a memo that hangs in the office of every venereologist. At the first stage of the disease, rashes in the form of red sores appear in the mouth, on the nasal mucosa, in the inguinal region. After some time, a chancre appears - compacted erosion with clear rounded boundaries. A characteristic feature of the rashsyphilis is their periodicity: sores can disappear without any intervention, but after a while they appear again, accompanied by hair loss and other symptoms that worsen the patient's condition.
The syphilis rash may look like pink papules or spots that do not cause any pain. However, these are only superficial manifestations of the disease. As the disease progresses, the chancre grows along the skin, and in parallel with this process, deformation of the joints occurs, destruction of internal organs and nerve endings. At the terminal stage of syphilis, irreversible changes occur in the brain.
Special attention deserves the nature of the rashes caused by syphilis on the body of women. In the fairer sex, this disease proceeds secretly. In addition to a long incubation period, the disease can develop asymptomatically up to the third stage. Often, treatment at this stage is ineffective, it is almost impossible to help the patient. If you find spots or papules on your body, localized around your mouth, on your neck, arms, legs, palms, contact a venereologist immediately. Remember: a syphilitic rash, despite the external unaesthetic, does not hurt or itch. If the rash disappears, this does not mean at all that the disease has receded. Symptoms return after a few weeks with additional complications. Syphilis can disfigure the appearance, rashes can also be deployed under the mammary glands, in the areagenitals and on the inside of the thighs.
Dermatological diseases
A rash on the skin of a child and an adult is a symptom of less dangerous ailments. The most common are dermatitis and eczema. These pathologies can appear due to various reasons, and at any age. But the main factors contributing to their development are considered to be heredity and contact with a potential allergen (physical, chemical, mechanical). Mycosis, psoriasis, diaper rash, senile keratoma, toxidermia and other skin diseases can also manifest as rashes.
Hormonal changes
A rash on the skin of the face is often the result of a hormonal imbalance in the body. In particular, it is for this reason that acne, acne pimples may occur in adolescence. Changes are often observed on the skin of expectant mothers. By the way, pregnant women are in a special risk group due to hormonal changes in the body. Usually rashes occur on those areas of the skin where there are stretch marks - in the chest, thighs, buttocks, abdomen.
Allergy
The pathological reaction of the body to a certain irritant often serves as an explanation for the appearance of a rash on the skin. Allergies are one of the most common causes of spots and rashes. It is possible to recognize the etiology of such changes in the epidermis due to the absence of signs of infection and the presence of contacts with potential allergens. In most cases, rashes of allergic origin do not cause any discomfort to the child, and therefore this symptom is detected.parents. The most "popular" irritants that cause changes in the skin:
- food;
- medicines;
- detergents and chemicals;
- plant pollen;
- animal wool;
- household dust.
Sometimes insect bites are mistaken for rashes. Traces that mosquitoes, midges, bedbugs leave on human skin can easily be confused with an allergy. In some cases, stings cause fever and itching.
Allergic nature is attributed to rashes that occur after undergoing cosmetic procedures. If, after leaving the cosmetologist's office, you find unpleasant changes on the skin, it is likely that they were the result of mechanical or chemical effects during the "beauty" procedures. Masks, peels, abrasive scrubs - all this can irritate the epidermis. Do not worry if a rash appears on the skin - it does not carry any danger. However, when planning a visit to a beauty salon, you should definitely take into account such a risk and not visit a beautician on the eve of important events. In addition, do not forget that any procedures make the epidermis vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. To avoid dark spots, try to limit sun exposure for a few days after treatments.
"Sunshine" rash
By the way, increased sensitivity to sunlight is another factor that provokes rashes. At risk are children and adults with fair, pale skin. If youthe owner of snow-white skin, you should not abuse sunbathing. To prevent rashes and burns, you will also have to give up sun exposure during the hours of its maximum activity - from 11:00 to 16:00. Moisturizing, soothing the epidermis, pharmacy and folk remedies (Panthenol, Bepanten, fatty sour cream) will help to cope with an existing problem.
Experiences and stresses
People who often worry and get annoyed over trifles naturally have many he alth problems. The epidermis, as a reflector of problems in the body, can also have traces of strong emotional shocks in the form of a rash on the skin of the hands, face, back, shoulders.
Treatment in this case will have a dual focus. First of all, it is important to eliminate sources of stress and stabilize the patient's emotional state by taking sedatives and antidepressants. It is likely that the rash on the skin after this will pass by itself, and antipruritic, healing ointments and gels will help speed up the disappearance of residual effects.
Problems with sweating
Skin rash symptoms can be caused by excessive sweating due to heat or excessive exercise. To prevent a rash, you must carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene. In children, spots and redness on the skin can be triggered by prickly heat.
Liver disease
When this organ malfunctions, a person's skin tone changes, and a rash appears. It is acne, with the formation of wen,comedones. The rash may be purulent or papular. Pustular rash most often spreads on the skin of the face, chest and neck. Often, changes in the body indicate malfunctions of the glands and bile ducts due to an unbalanced diet or alcohol abuse.
Varieties of rashes on the epidermis
Skin manifestations may vary. Experts offer the following classification of rashes:
- Spots. They come in a variety of colors (from white and pale pink to dark brown) and sizes.
- Blisters. Their appearance is characteristic of infectious diseases and thermal burns.
- Papules. These small bumps on the skin look like hard nodules.
- Bubbles. Usually such a rash on the skin itches. Blisters can be of various sizes and form in the cavity of the skin with a transparent exudate inside.
- Ulcers and erosions. Basically, ulcerations are formed by violating the integrity of the skin. Erosive rash usually bleeds.
All of these types of rashes are conditionally classified into two groups - these are primary changes on the skin (blisters, ulcers, papules, blisters) and secondary (peeling, erosion, crusts, spots).
Clinical picture
Depending on the type of skin rash and the cause that provoked it, this symptom may be accompanied by other unpleasant manifestations. So, if the rash occurs due to violations of the liver, the patient often has additional signsdiseases:
- acquisition of a yellowish tint by the skin;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bad breath;
- excessive sweating;
- pain on palpation in the right hypochondrium;
- rash on the body itches a lot;
- rapid weight loss;
- stool disorders;
- darkening of the tongue, areola of the nipples, perineal area;
- constant bitter taste in the mouth;
- cracks in the tongue;
- persistent subfebrile condition.
Rashes resulting from infection also have their own characteristics. Most often, a rash on the skin of the body appears in stages: first, the hands are affected, later the changes affect the epidermis of the face, lower limbs, and back. With rubella, as a rule, spots appear on the cheeks, forehead, after which they spread throughout the body. The first foci of inflammation are observed in places of folds (elbow, knee joints, buttocks). In addition to the rash, infectious diseases (chickenpox, scarlet fever, measles, rubella) have a number of other characteristic symptoms:
- high body temperature;
- malaise;
- weakness;
- headache;
- inflammation of the tonsils, conjunctiva and other individual areas on the body;
- photophobia and lacrimation;
- palpitations;
- drowsy;
- burning on the skin;
- itch.
Diagnosis and treatment
To determine exactly what caused the occurrence of a particular type of skin rash, you need to contact a qualifiedmedical assistance to a specialist (dermatologist or venereologist). If the infectious factor is completely excluded, an allergist consultation will be required.
The doctor will perform a physical examination, take a history, and refer the patient for laboratory procedures. As a rule, the test results help to draw a conclusion about the cause of the disease, make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
The treatment plan for a skin rash in a child or adult is drawn up individually for each patient, but its basic principle will be the same for all patients - to exclude the etiological factor:
- In case of an infectious disease, it is necessary to take a course of antiviral or antibiotic therapy.
- In case of confirmed dermatological problems, skin rashes are treated by eliminating everything that may be the root cause of the disease (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and other skin pathologies).
- When allergic rashes are carried out skin tests to identify the irritant and its subsequent neutralization.
- If it turns out that the rash on the body is provoked by some kind of internal disease, first of all, the emphasis is on treating the underlying pathology.
Medications for external use and restoration of the skin are selected based on the type of rashes, their characteristics and prevalence. At the same time, in some cases (for example, with prickly heat), there is not the slightest need to use medicinalfunds. It is important to create suitable climatic conditions under which the patient will feel comfortable. For the symptom to disappear, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- avoid wearing synthetic clothing;
- shower regularly with soap or gel;
- wipe dry with a clean towel.
Drugs and folk remedies
If the rash on the skin is accompanied by burning, swelling and itching, various external agents are applied to the epidermis ("Triderm", "Fenistil gel", "Elidel"). In addition, the doctor will recommend taking antihistamines inside (Loratadin, Telfast, Suprastin, Cetrin, etc.). For the treatment of herpetic rash, antiviral drugs (for example, Acyclovir-acry tablets) and topical treatments for affected skin are used.
For the treatment of rashes and spots on the skin, folk remedies are often used, after consulting with the doctor. The most popular ones are listed below:
- Applying a mixture of cod liver oil and vitamin E helps with flaking, redness and diaper rash. May also be taken by mouth.
- Daily baths with oatmeal will help get rid of papular red skin rash.
- Vitamin C, which has a pronounced antioxidant property, fights skin defects and minimizes the likelihood of future allergic reactions.
- Apple cider vinegar and fresh honey are very effective in eliminating allergic rashes. The preparation is prepared as follows: half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey are added to a glasswater. The drink is drunk three times a day for half a glass.
How to prevent body rashes
In order to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant symptom, the patient will have to follow certain rules. Allergy sufferers are expected to face the most severe restrictions: knowing about the reaction of your body to a particular substance, it is important not to allow any contact with it.
One hundred percent impossible to protect yourself from infections and fungi, but you can minimize the likelihood of infection only if:
- Constantly monitor personal hygiene.
- Do not allow strangers to use your belongings, and do not use other people's towels, toothbrushes, shoes, etc.
- Wash clothes regularly, do wet cleaning indoors.
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with antibacterial soap.
- Strengthen immunity and avoid contact with sick people.
- Dress for the weather and be careful while traveling.
