1. Overview

The most common non-infectious rashes (because they are not caused by infectious organisms) will be treated with creams containing hydrocortisone 1%, obtained without a prescription. The affected person will apply the cream for a week before going to consultation.


Contents

1. Overview
2. Types of rashes
3. Diagnostic methods
4. Medical consultation
5. Fungal infections and bacterial infections

2. Types of rashes

In this type of rash include:

- Seborrheic dermatitis – affects mostly adults; the specific rash for this condition that is red, involves the presence of scales and affects the scalp, forehead, brows, cheeks and external ears.

- Atopic dermatitis (eczema) – is a condition often seen in children, characterized by redness, pruritic rash, specific rashes to the inside of the elbow and the back of the knees, cheeks, neck, wrists and ankles. It is common in patients who suffer from hay fever.

- Contact dermatitis – a rash triggered by contact with a specific chemical to which a patient is allergic or with a substance that irritates the skin directly. Some chemicals are both irritants and allergens.

- Diaper dermatitis – is a common type of contact dermatitis that occurs in most children who wear diapers when there is prolonged contact of the feces and urine with the baby’s skin.

- Stasis dermatitis – is a condition that occurs in the lower legs in people suffering from chronic inflammation of the legs due to poor venous circulation and is characterized by erythema and ulceration.

- Psoriasis is a rash that involves scaly skin; it tends to occur mainly on the skin of the head, elbows, knees.

- Nummular eczema – a type of dermatitis that involves the presence of plaques in the form of coins during the winter and is associated with very dry skin.

3. Diagnostic methods

The term rash has no precise meaning and is often used to describe a variety of skin disorders, especially any inflammatory condition of the skin.

According to dermatologists, among the rashes characteristics that contribute to the diagnosis are: color, size, consistency, texture, shape, configuration and sensitivity to touch. Also, distribution and location of the rash on the body, but also the presence of ulceration, scaling or crusting will help determine their type.

A classification of the most common rashes include:
- Non-infectious rashes that are located only in certain parts of the body;
- Skin rash caused by fungal or bacterial infections;
- Extensive rashes affecting large portions of skin.

It is recommended that the diagnosis and treatment to be determined by the physician, not by the patient. Correct evaluation of a rash can be made only directly by a dermatologist.

4. Medical consultation

The doctor will perform a physical examination and will address some questions to his patient about his medical history and exhibited symptoms.

These could include:
- When the rash started?
- What body parts are affected?
- Have noticed that any product / substance improves or worsens the rash?
- Have you used new creams, soaps, detergents, lotions, or cosmetics recently?
- Have you been gone in wooded areas recently?
- Have you used new drugs recently?
- Have you noticed any insect bite?
- Have you experienced other symptoms such as itching or presence of scabs or scales?
- Do you suffer from other important conditions (asthma, allergies)?

Among the investigations which may be required by your doctor could be:
- Allergy tests;
- Blood tests;
- Skin biopsy;
- Collection of skin samples for analysis.

Depending on the cause of the rash, treatments may include medicinal creams or lotions, medications to be administered orally or skin surgery.

5. Fungal infections and bacterial infections

When symptoms of rash arise, the most common causes are bacterial or fungal infections.

Fungal infections

Are quite common but do not appear as often as eczema. The most common diagnostic mistakes made so by doctors that have other medical specialties than dermatology and some patients is framing any rash as one of fungal nature.

For example, a person who has more squamous spots localized on arms, legs or trunk rather likely to have some form of eczema or dermatitis than a fungus. In addition, fungus tend to develop rashes (especially in the skin folds – the skin under the breasts, groin, etc.) that are deep red color and many have blisters on the margin. Fungal infections are not triggered by the lack of hygiene of a person, are not transmitted by pets and cannot be contacted, normally, very easily from sports changing rooms and swimming pools.

Fungal infection treatment is usually simple. Many effective antifungal creams can be bought from the pharmacy without a prescription, including clotrimazole 1% or terbinafine. If you tried unsuccessfully several times, treating a fungus, it may be more like eczema and should be treated differently. A fungal infection can be confirmed by various simple investigations.

Bacterial infections

The most common bacterial skin infection is impetigo, which is caused by staph or strep germs. It is more common in children than in adults. Rashes caused by bacteria are characterized by the presence of pustules or scabs and some can be quite painful. Poor hygiene plays no role in this case. The antibacterial creams can be bought only with a prescription. More effective than these are antibiotics that are administered orally.

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