The term rash refers to a variety of skin conditions. From scaly patches to red bumps to blisters, (amongst other presentations), rashes can appear in multiple ways. In evaluating your rash, Dr. Gandhi will be distinguishing amongst the various clinical features of rashes to arrive at a diagnosis. Consideration will be given to contributing factors, underlying medical conditions and current and past medications, to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. 

When should I seek care for my rash?

Not all rashes resolve spontaneously or can be treated with over the counter medications.  Seeking immediate care is important when:

Rash involves a large area of the body

Fever occurs with your rash

Rash comes on suddenly

Blisters appear on skin

Pain occurs with rash

Signs of infection, such as surrounding pain, warmth, oozing of yellow fluid appears from rash.

Common rashes

Apart from eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis common rashes include:

Tinea Versicolor commonly affects adults and presents with variably colored slightly scaly patches on the chest, upper arms, back and neck.  Tinea versicolor is caused by a naturally occurring yeast that lives on the skin and gets worse in warm, humid temperatures.

Hives, also known as urticaria, are red itchy welts.  Any single hive usually resolves within 24 hours, although the rash can take days to weeks and sometimes months to resolve, depending on the cause.

Pityriasis Rosea causes red scaly oval patches on the skin, usually on the chest, abdomen, back, upper arms and upper thighs.  While it may last 8 weeks or longer, pityriasis rosea usually spontaneously resolves.

Keratosis Pilaris presents with small rough pinpoint bumps on the upper arms, thighs and sometimes cheeks that worsen in cold, dry weather.  Exfoliative lotions can be helpful.

Folliculitis, also known as razor bumps, are red raised bumps on the skin that can be either itchy or slightly painful.

Reactions to insect bites cause itchy red bumps.

Poison ivy is caused by an allergic reaction to the resins from the poison ivy plant, which come into contact with the skin.  This results in itching, redness, swelling, and blistering of the skin. 

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin that causes warmth, redness and swelling of the skin, often with red streaks.

Contact Lake Shore Dermatology to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gandhi to evaluate your rash and personalize a treatment plan for you.