Rashes

Rashes - Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

If it’s itchy, painful, swollen, and on the skin, it’s probably a rash. Rashes are very common and can appear within a matter of hours to over a period of a couple days. It’s important to closely monitor a rash as it develops and pay attention to any accompanying symptoms that could indicate something serious.

When is it an emergency?

We recommend you head to Premier as soon as possible if any of the following symptoms are experienced along with a rash.

• quickly changing coloration on the skin
• difficulty breathing or feeling like the throat is closing up
• increasing pain or severe pain
• high fever
• confusion
• dizziness
• swelling of the face or extremities
• severe pain in the neck or head
• repeated vomiting or diarrhea

Causes and common types of rashes

Rashes can range from the very common and relatively benign contact dermatitis, to something more pernicious such as shingles or SARS.

Contact Dermatitis

This is the most common form of a rash and is often caused by an allergy or intolerance to something touched or held. These reactions are a bit different for everyone but generally you can expect to see red and inflamed skin that can become itchy and potentially “oozy.” Causes can include -

• Certain soaps and laundry detergents
• Skincare and beauty products
• Poisonous plants
• Chemical exposure

Insect Bites and Stings

Insects bites are a common cause cause of skin rashes. Symptoms to look out for are

• Redness
• Pain
• Itching
• Swelling - at the source of the insect bite or widespread

Shingles

Shingles is an infection of the nerve. Similar to chickenpox, it is caused by he varicella-zoster virus. The most common symptoms are

• Pain that can range from mild to intense
• A pox like rash that can merger and create a solid band around the infected nerve itchiness

Syphilis

Syphilis is a somewhat common but highly treatable STD (sexually transmitted disease). Although treatable, it will not heal on its own. Symptoms can vary depending on the different stages of the disease -

• Initial stage - painless round sores
• Later - red rash that spreads around the body beginning at the trunk
• Oral, anal and genital warts/sores

When should you visit premier?

There are many types of rashes and it’s important to use caution when using home treatment with any type of rash. Particularly with children, it’s important to have any rash you don’t feel comfortable with evaluated by a medical professional who can give you the proper treatment plan. As always, visit your nearest Premier location if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and our team will provide the appropriate level of care needed to get you and your family back to good health.