Most people have had a rash at some point in their lives. Rashes have a variety of causes and vary in appearance and severity, but they’re all your skin’s way of telling you there’s a problem you shouldn’t ignore.
As a board-certified general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist, Juan-Carlos Caballero, MD, diagnoses and treats rashes on a regular basis at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center in Warrenton, Virginia.
While most rashes are harmless, they can be incredibly uncomfortable and even impact your self-confidence. And, sometimes, they can indicate a more serious issue. As a result, an accurate diagnosis plays a crucial role in managing your condition.
In this post, Dr. Caballero shares the five common types of skin rashes that he sees at his practice.
This autoimmune disease, more commonly known as eczema, causes areas of itchy, dry, and inflamed skin. It often occurs in children before age 5, but it can affect people at any age, especially individuals with allergies or asthma.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that causes flare-ups that improve from time to time. You can often manage outbreaks with the right moisturizing and skin care habits, as well as medicated creams or ointments.
As you might assume, contact dermatitis develops because of something your skin touches that causes irritation. These rashes can arise within minutes or hours after exposure and vary widely in appearance. They aren’t contagious, but they can be incredibly uncomfortable.
Common causes of contact dermatitis include:
Contact dermatitis rashes can last 2-4 weeks.
If you have scaly patches, redness, or stubborn dandruff, it could be seborrheic dermatitis. This common rash often affects the scalp, but it can cause problems on other oily parts of the body, especially the face and chest.
It’s common for seborrheic dermatitis symptoms to worsen with age, stress, and extreme weather conditions.
There are several forms of psoriasis, but they all fall into a category of chronic skin diseases without a cure. The itchy, scaly rashes associated with this condition typically appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk. They can also be incredibly painful, making it difficult to sleep or concentrate.
In most cases, psoriasis flare-ups go in cycles, worsening for weeks or months before subsiding for short periods. Common triggers include cuts or burns, infections, weather, and certain medications.
Last but not least, Dr. Caballero often sees rashes caused by infections, such as:
It’s also possible for rashes to occur because of medical conditions, ranging from Lyme disease, liver disease, or rheumatoid arthritis to lupus erythematosus and certain cancers.
If you have a bad rash, one that doesn’t go away, or other symptoms like fever, don’t wait to get expert care. Once Dr. Caballero determines what’s causing your reaction, he can create a personalized treatment strategy to ease your symptoms and manage your condition.
Do you have a rash or chronic skin disease? Get the care you need by calling 540-701-4656 or requesting an appointment online with Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center today.
