Skin rash is a change of the human skin that affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell, and may be painful. The causes, and therefore.
Possible Causes of a Rash
Contact Dermatitis
- may resemble a burn
- often found on hands and forearms
- skin is itchy, red, scaly, or raw
- blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty
Diaper Rash
- near the diaper area
- skin looks red and irritated
- warm to the touch
Bites and Stings
- heat, redness, and swelling at the site of the bite
- pain in the bite area or in muscles
- itching, numbness, and tingling
Fungal Infection
- itching, swelling, peeling, and cracking of the skin
- may start as a reddish, itchy, scaly rash
Flea Bites
- usually located on the lower legs and feet
- itchy, red bump surrounded by a red halo
- symptoms begin immediately after being bitten
Fifth Disease
- headache, fatigue, low fever, sore throat, and nausea
- children are more likely to experience a rash
- rash will appear on the cheeks, then the arms, legs, and trunk
Impetigo
- common in children
- itchy rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily
- swollen lymph nodes
Shingles
- itchy, red patches with fluid-filled blisters that break easily
- rash that wraps around the spine and torso
- rash on the face and ears
- may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, or fatigue
Scabies
- symptoms may take four to six weeks to appear
- rash may be pimply, made up of tiny blisters, or scaly
- raised, white or flesh-toned lines
Allergic Eczema
- itching, burning sensation
- warm, tender, scaly, raw, or thickened skin
- inflammation
Hay Fever
- itchiness and red patches on the skin
- welts with defined edges
- turns white when pressed
Scarlet Fever
- follows strep throat infection
- small red bumps
- feels like sandpaper
Drug Allergy
- slight rash
- fever
- breathing difficulties
Rheumatic Fever
- complication of strep throat or scarlet fever
- small, painless bumps under the skin
- slightly raised, ragged rash
Infectious Mononucleosis
- rare, but usually appears on the arms or trunk
- may appear after treatment with ampicillin or amoxicillin
Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis)
- ring or circular-shaped rashes
- skin in the middle of the ring appears healthy
- itchy
Measles
- commonly develops at the head then spreads to the rest of the body
- red, itchy bumps
- white spots in the mouth
Candidiasis of the Skin
- usually occurs in skin folds (armpits, between fingers)
- can be white or red
- progresses to cracked and sore skin
Stasis Dermatitis and Ulcers
- skin appears thin and itches
- in later stages skin hardens and thickens
- an ulcer forms in the final stage
German Measles (Rubella)
- pink rash that starts on the face and spreads downward
- headache
- mild fever
- muscle pain
Sepsis
- appears in severe sepsis
- patches of discolored skin
- problems breathing
Atypical Pneumonia
- rash (mycoplasma)
- cough
- fever, muscle aches
Lyme Disease
- central red spot surrounded by a clear spot with an area of redness at the edge
- may be warm to the touch
- isn’t painful or itchy
West Nile Virus Infection (West Nile Fever)
- spread by infected mosquitoes
- appears on chest, stomach, or back
- accompanied by flu-like symptoms
Cellulitis
- bacteria enter through a crack or cut in the skin
- red, sore, with swelling that spreads quickly
- hot and tender to the touch
Erysipelas
- red, swollen, warm, painful area of skin with raised edge
- blisters on the affected area
- generally feeling unwell
MRSA (Staph) Infection
- red, fluid-filled, and painful to the touch
- may resemble an infected spider bite
- yellow or white center with a central head
Chickenpox
- clusters of red, fluid-filled blisters all over the body
- fever
- sore throat
Reye’s Syndrome
- prolonged vomiting
- drowsiness
- rapid breathing
Addisonian Crisis (Acute Adrenal Crisis)
- rash
- nausea
- vomiting
Chemical Burns
- blackened or dead skin
- irritation, redness, or burning at the affected area
- numbness or pain at the affected area
Diphtheria
- thick, gray coating on your throat and tonsils
- bluish skin
- sore throat
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- symmetrical rash on cheeks and nose in the shape of a butterfly
- hair loss
- painful or swollen joints
Colorado Tick Fever
- skin pain with faint rash
- sudden fever
- chills
Toxic Shock Syndrome
- usually occurs after using tampons or having surgery
- sudden fever
- skin rash and redness of eyes, mouth, or throat
Trichinosis
- rash may appear in the later stages of this condition
- muscle aches and pains
- swelling in eyes and face
Accidental Poisoning by Soap Products
- rashes only occur if the soap has come into contact with your hands
- irritation, small holes, or burns on the top layer of your skin
Acute HIV Infection
- flat, red area covered with bumps
- general “unwell” feeling
- swollen lymph nodes
Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
- fever accompanied by a rash
- sore throat
- swollen and tender joints
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
- usually affects children under age 5
- painful, red blisters in the mouth and on the tongue and gums
- a red, painful rash on the hands and soles of the feet
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Know the signs of this autoimmune disease often accompanied by a rash
- affects children under 16 years old
- warm and swollen joints
Acrodermatitis
- affects children between the ages of 6 and 12
- itchy, red blisters usually on the arms, thighs, and buttocks
- blisters may turn purple and fill with fluid
Histoplasmosis
- caused by inhaling the spores found in the droppings of bats and birds
- symptoms show up 10 days after exposure
- red bumps on your legs
Hookworm Infections
- mainly affects people in developing countries in the tropic and subtropic
- infection starts with itchiness and a small rash
- abdominal pain
Kawasaki Disease
- usually affects children under age 5
- red, swollen tongue (strawberry tongue)
- bloodshot eyes
Syphilis
- small, painless sore that appears where the bacteria entered the body
- a rash that doesn’t itch may appear on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
Systemic Gonococcal Infection
- pus-filled skin rash with pink/red spots
- pain or swelling in the joints
- pain in the wrist or heel tendons
Typhus
- transmitted by flea, mite, or tick bites
- headache, high fever, chills
- rash
Dermatomyositis
- red or violet rash on the face, chest, nails, or elbows
- muscle weakness that starts in the neck, arms, or hips
- most commonly affects people between the ages of 5 and 15, or 40 and 60
Graft vs. Host Disease
- dark patches or darkening of the skin
- red, itching skin
- dry, irritated eyes
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
- polygon-shaped scales in the skin
- dry or thickened skin
- flaky scalp
Pemphigoid
- a red rash appears, followed by fluid-filled blisters
- the blisters are thick and do not rupture easily
- ruptured blisters are sensitive and painful
Sarcoidosis
- sores
- raised scars
- hair loss
Dengue Fever
- transmitted by mosquito bites
- rash follows sudden fever
- mild bruising on the skin
Phenylketonuria
- eczema
- seizures
- breath, skin, or urine that smells musty
Polio
- flu-like symptoms
- muscle stiffness, weakness, and spasms
- problems breathing or sleeping
Porphyrias
- extreme skin sensitivity to light
- changes in skin pigmentation
- erratic behavior related to sun exposure
Ebola Virus and Disease
- diarrhea, muscle and stomach pain
- fever, headache
- unexplained bleeding or bruising
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
- rash
- diarrhea, problems breathing, dry cough
- confusion
