(AP)
When you notice a rash, it’s easy to dismiss it as a minor irritation or a result of something you ate but your skin is more than just a protective barrier. it’s a window into your overall health.
An itchy, bumpy, or painful rash might not be just a superficial issue but could signal something more significant. To help us navigate these potential red flags, Medbound Times consulted with Dr. Sunayana, MD, DNB DVL, a dermatologist from Bangalore to give us pointers on the experience of encountering a rash.
The Connection Between Skin Rashes and Systemic Health
Our skin reflects internal processes as it externalizes what happens inside the body in many diseases and signals the existence of systemic diseases, expanding the importance. The skin often shows the first signs or symptoms of an internal disease. A skin rash occurs when the skin becomes red, inflamed, and bumpy. Some skin rashes are dry and itchy. (1,8)
All rashes can be broadly categorized into infectious and non-infectious conditions, the causes ranging from inflammatory diseases to malignancy.
Dr. Sunayana, MD, DNB DVL, Bangalore
1. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Chronic rash red, itchy, and scaly, this is common in people with allergies or asthma. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form.
The often allergy-linked symptoms usually appear on your face, forehead, and scalp particularly during infancy or childhood.
2. Psoriasis
Red, scaly patches over joints and along the scalp, sometimes itchy, with possible fingernail involvement.
This is a chronic inflammatory condition noted in early adulthood or your late 50s.
The most common type is Plaque psoriasis, typically seen on elbows, knees, lower back, or scalp and are often painful and itchy, leading to cracks and bleeding.
Psoriasis can present as a simple itchy rash, on the elbows, knees, back, or scalp; and its treatment includes various lifestyle modifications and medication. A fungal infection like Tinea cruris can also have the same presentation near the thighs, groin, under the breast, etc, and can spread rapidly if left untreated. Antifungals are the drug of choice in this case.
Dr. Sunayana, MD, DNB DVL, Bangalore
3. Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is caused by an irritant, like latex, or an allergy, like nickel or poison ivy.
On light skin, it’s an itchy, red rash. On dark skin, it may look more like a dark, leathery patch.
Chemicals in elastic, latex, and rubber products, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, dyes, and other chemicals in clothing can cause contact dermatitis.
4. Impetigo
Impetigo is a primary or secondary bacterial infection of the epidermis of the skin. Primary infections occur when bacteria enter breaks in the skin, whereas secondary infections develop at the site of an existing dermatosis.
Here red sores that form blisters and a honey-colored crust are noted.
There are bullous and nonbullous forms of the infection, with the bullous form typically occurring in neonates and the nonbullous form most common in preschool- and school-aged children.
5. Medicines and Insect Bites/Stings
Can trigger skin rashes as reactions to certain medications or bites/stings.
A rash is a primary symptom of all types of rosacea, symptoms are seen in response to sunlight, wind, certain foods, stress, and more.(6)
Scarlet Fever: Caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Rash develops after fever and sore throat, with a sandpaper-like texture.
The rash spreads throughout the body, sparing the palms and soles, with characteristic circumoral pallor. This differs from some viral exanthems that develop more slowly.
Red strawberry tongue occurs after desquamation of the white coating.
Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease): Caused by parvovirus B19. Characterized by a "slapped cheek" rash followed by a lacy, pink rash on the extremities. Treatment is symptomatic.
Molluscum Contagiosum: Viral infection with flesh-colored or pearly papules. Usually self-limited. This highly contagious viral infection most commonly affects children two to 11 years of age but It can also occur in sexually active adolescents.
Tinea (Ringworm): Fungal infection that can affect various body parts (scalp, body, nails). Tinea capitis involves hair loss; tinea corporis causes annular lesions. Treated with antifungals.
Meningitis Rash: Appears as red or purple blotches that do not fade under glass pressure. Associated with meningococcal disease, which is life-threatening. Immediate medical help is needed if the rash is accompanied by symptoms like fever, sensitivity to light, or drowsiness.
Measles: This condition is Highly contagious, starting with cold-like symptoms and developing into a red, raised rash after 3-4 days. Contagious up to a week after the rash appears. Children are isolated to prevent the spread.
Chickenpox: Causes red, fluid-filled spots that vary in number and this condition has a viral cause. Highly contagious until blisters scab over. Calamine lotion and preventing scratching can help manage discomfort.(3,4)
Lupus. This is a chronic autoimmune disease which has a characteristic butterfly-shaped facial rash called a malar rash. Rashes can also appear elsewhere on the body, usually triggered by sunlight.
Dermatomyositis. This autoimmune condition affects the muscles and skin, seen as rashes on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper chest.
Bullous pemphigoid. This autoimmune blistering disorder causes large, itchy blisters on the skin, often affecting older adults.
Vasculitis. Different types of vasculitis can lead to various skin manifestations like rashes, ulcers, or purple spots.(2)
Board-certified dermatologists say rashes with these features need medical attention:
A rash over most of your body.
A rash that blisters or turns into open sores or raw skin.
Fever or illness with a rash.
A rash that spreads rapidly.
A painful rash.
A rash involving the eyes, lips, mouth, or genital skin.(7)
Dr. Sunayana warns that the treatment of each rash is drastically different and it has to be tailored to each patient, which is why one should never self-medicate. She added that It can change the morphology of the rash and making it more difficult to diagnose, sometimes even difficult to treat.
Rashes can often signal infections that require prompt attention. Bacterial infections like cellulitis, impetigo, and scarlet fever, caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria, are common culprits. Viral infections such as chickenpox, measles, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and shingles can also present with rashes. Additionally, fungal infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections may cause skin rashes. However, rashes can also indicate other serious conditions, such as autoimmune disorders like lupus or psoriasis, allergic reactions to substances like certain foods or medications, or even more severe conditions like skin cancer. For example, eczema and hives may result from allergies, while autoimmune conditions can lead to persistent, inflamed rashes. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8790166/
https://www.citymd.com/health-and-wellness/exploring-causes-autoimmune-rash
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0801/p211.html
https://www.bassprimarycare.com/post/3-rashes-you-dont-want-to-ignore-in-your-child
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/rash
https://erikbhurstmd.com/12-common-causes-of-skin-rash/
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/rash/rash-101
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-non-contagious-skin-conditions-to-know
MSM
