Rashes (Exanthema) occur in characteristic chronology. First of all, the skin changes begin, then there is a climax, the duration of which can vary, and finally healing.
The cause of a rash is the so-called intolerance reaction of the skin cells in connection with the cells of the blood vessels. An interaction of both cell types ultimately triggers a rash. The exanthema reaction mostly begins on the skin cells. The vessel sections belonging to the corresponding skin section then determine the type and severity of the skin reaction triggered.
For more information, see the main Rash article.
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A basic distinction is made between the triggers and rashes:
This rash is a skin reaction that can mostly be caused by skin cream or toxic substances applied to the skin. The substance is drawn into the upper layer of the skin at different speeds. This usually does not lead to a rash. The actual skin reaction only occurs when the toxic substance is transported away via the bloodstream.
With this form of rash, a corresponding immunological reaction occurs after a certain substance is applied to the skin. This reaction is mediated by the substance histamine. The more histamine is released into the bloodstream, the stronger the skin reaction that follows. Various skin creams and cosmetics can also be a trigger, but also numerous herbal substances and flowers that brush and touch the skin. A histamine-mediated allergic reaction is e.g. triggered by touching the nettle. After contact, there is initially a burning sensation and after histamine has been released into the bloodstream, the surface of the skin swells. Onions and similar herbal products can also cause a rash.
Read more on the topic: Allergic reaction on the skin.
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Numerous teething troubles trigger skin rashes. The classic appearance, the place of spread and the time limit often give a quick indication of the type of disease. Typical diseases that cause a rash are:
More about the risk of infection: Is my rash contagious?
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Furthermore, the rash can be classified according to its shape. So one differentiates between
Medicines very often cause a rash on the skin. Most of the time, the skin changes that are triggered are extensive, not raised and itchy. They can appear anywhere on the body. Arms, legs and trunk or back are particularly affected.
Triggering drugs can be: Ampicilins, sulfonamides, penicilins, cephalosporins, salicylates, ACE inhibitors, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin and allopurinol
In the rarest of cases, a skin rash is caused by cancer. If it does, however, it is usually a side effect as an expression of the weakened defenses of the entire organism, but not a cancer of the skin. In this context that is cutaneous T-cell lymphoma which is actually easy to mistake for a rash. The most common T-cell lymphoma is the Mycosis fungoides, which gets its name from the former confusion with a fungal skin disease (Mycosis) Has.
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A allergy often shows through symptoms such as swollen eyes, itching, chronic gastrointestinal complaints and skin rash. Face allergies Hypersensitivity reactions of the body's own Defense system to actually harmless substances such as Bee pollen or animal hair. That these so-called Allergens cause a strong reaction of the immune system is also used in the diagnosis of allergies. A Skin test (prick test), in which Allergen extracts in contact with the skin be brought shows over a local reaction the skin (a rash), whether the person concerned is sensitive to this allergen hypersensitive responds. The most common rash in allergies is the so-called Hives (Urticaria). This initially forms pale red to red bumps on the skinthat resemble mosquito bites. Mostly these are skin changes larger and form wheals (fluid-filled blisters) and itch heavily. This reaction is similar to touching the skin with Nettles (Urtica). This rash can be localized in a specific location or it can travel across the body. Usually it forms after three to four hours back again, after twelve hours at the latest the rash is usually no longer visible on the skin.
Another rash is that allergic contact eczema. This rash is a delayed reaction to a contact substancewhich in itself is not dangerous for the organism. One contact substance on which allergic contact dermatitis often occurs are, for example Nickel or latex. Also Intolerance to certain foods can manifest as rashes. Often it occurs at Food allergies to reactions of the Mucous membranesbut can also lead to itchy rashes. This is particularly serious Peanut allergy, as it often leads to violent allergic reactions life threatening condition of anaphylactic shock can occur. Also Insect bite allergies typically show up in skin changes. So it often happens extensive, swollen and reddened skin reactionsif there is hypersensitivity to insect venom.
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To prevent rashes in allergies, you can Antihistamines or cortisone be taken as these drugs suppress symptoms.
If allergic rashes occur and the cause cannot be determined, the sufferer should contact Diseases such as immune disorders or others Allergy-like diseases to be examined.
One of the most common causes of a rash on the face is an allergic reaction of the skin to substances found in, for example, face care products, powders, and cosmetics. (please refer: Rash from allergy)
This allergic reaction leads to an excessive activation of the immune system, which subsequently leads to increased messenger substances (Mediators) are released from the cells. These messenger substances cause reactions in the skin's blood vessels that are comparable to inflammation.
Among other things, there is increased blood supply to the vessels, which leads to reddening and swelling, which are then perceived as a rash on the face. This allergic-inflammatory reaction is also the cause of eczema and the so-called contact dermatitis, both of which can lead to a rash on the face after contact of the skin with allergenic substances.
Excessive skin care can also lead to a rash on the face. The misunderstood “care” dries out the skin or is irritated by mechanical irritation, such as when shaving or peeling.
If the skin can no longer maintain its natural protective barrier, this often leads to rashes, as bacteria, viruses and fungi have easier penetration into the skin.
Another common cause of facial rash is acne. This occurs mainly during puberty due to the changed hormone balance and leads to a disruption of the sebum glands, which become inflamed and ultimately cause pimples and rashes.
Other skin diseases such as neurodermatitis on the face or psoriasis also lead to a rash on the face.
When it is very hot, for example on a vacation in the tropics, heat rashes (Miliaria) Cause of a rash on the face. Heat rashes are caused by the clogging of the ducts of the sweat glands, which prevents the sweat that is formed from being transported to the surface of the face. This favors bacterial colonization of the glands, which can lead to an inflammatory reaction and thus to a rash.
Read more on the subject at: Rash from heat
A rash on the face can also be caused by stress (please refer: Rash caused by stress) and is therefore a physical manifestation of psychological distress.
Rarely, autoimmune diseases or skin cancer can also be noticeable as a rash.
Read more on the topic:
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a - Healthy skin
b - Subcorneal pus vesicle
(Pustule - under the cornea)
c - Intraepithelial pus vesicles
(Pustule - splits the epidermis)
d - epidermal nodules
(epidermal papule)
e - scleral nodules
(dermal papule)
Epidermis - epidermis
(1 and 2.)
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
The causes of rash on the neck are very similar to those on the face.
So often allergies result, for example to certain food, Medication or Skin care products a rash on your neck.
Another cause of a neck rash is that acnewhich occurs mainly on the face, but can also spread to the neck and lead to a rash there.
Furthermore can Infections cause a rash on the neck due to viruses and bacteria. On the one hand, these can be exogenous, i.e. caused by external colonization of the skin with bacteria or viruses, and lead to an isolated rash on the neck.
On the other hand, systemic infectious diseases often affect the skin and thus the skin on the neck. This is the case, for example, with chickenpox or rubella.
Often they are allergic reaction for one Rash on the chest responsible.
Most often, a reddish itchy rash appears suddenly in the chest area. The skin can flake off a lot in the area and it can be painful.
Sometimes it can be one Fungal infection come on the chest. Especially in places where skin lies on skin, there is usually a humid and warm environment, which can promote a fungal infection. If in doubt, a skin swab can provide evidence of a fungal infection of the skin. Then so-called antifungal ointments or creams are used. The healing should take place within a week.
Other causes of a rash on the chest can be general allergic skin reactions be on a particular lotion or laundry detergent that has been recently used. If itching occurs after changing the product, the product should be changed again. In addition, care products that keep the skin moist and supple can be used.
Also frequent washing of the skin can cause a rash in the chest area. This is because of the Acid mantle of the skin was attacked. When the washing frequency is reduced, the acid mantle, which is very important for defense against infection, is usually restored.
As a rule, rashes affect the forearms. A rash or pus pimples on the shoulder and upper arms may occur less frequently. There are many reasons why a rash on the arms can develop.
It is often unspecific allergic reactions to a certain substance that lead to an itchy and painful rash and reddening of the skin.
An allergy test can provide first indications of the substance causing the allergy. Recently changed shower gels or shampoos can trigger a rash and should be changed.
A rash on the arms is relatively often triggered by neurodermatitis. This is a skin reaction that comes about due to an excessive immune system. Often itchy, reddish skin symptoms almost always appear on the crooks of the arms, which can become stronger and more agonizing when heated or sweating. Treatment with cortisone in the form of an ointment is usually successful, but must be repeated in the event of a renewed atopic dermatitis attack. The skin disease is inheritable.If there has been a family history of atopic dermatitis, the risk of it occurring again increases.
You can find more information about possible causes of a rash here: Rash on forearm
A rash on the stomach can have different causes. In addition to an allergy-related cause, a Neurodermatitis lead to a rash on the abdomen. Often the crooks of the arm are also affected by the rash. Typical for atopic dermatitis would be a jjerky, reddish scaly rash in the area of the abdomen. Atopic dermatitis runs in episodes and is usually accelerated by a warm and humid environment. In warm times, when the body sweats, the development of neurodermatitis increases.
It is to be distinguished from neurodermatitis Shingleswhich can occur very often in the abdomen. Shingles usually begins with an isolated standing small vesicleswhich then burst open and release a clear liquid. At this point the patient is highly contagious. A short time later, the blisters dry out again, and further time later the grind falls off. Despite the apparent healing of the skin rash caused by the shingles, it can still be for a long time afterwards Pain in the skin area come. These complaints can sometimes last for weeks to months, or rarely years, and require intensive drug treatment with a drug that is used to treat nerve pain.
Under the allergenic substancesthat lead to a rash in the abdominal area can always be certain metals. These come e.g. in contact with the skin through belt buckles. The skin reactions in the abdominal area triggered by belts almost always occur near the navel.
An isolated back rash is relatively rare. It can take the form of, for example red spots on the back express.
However, the back is often the place where a rash begins and from there spreads to other parts of the body. This is for example with the so-called Three-day fever (Exanthema subitum) or in the case of typhoid fever.
Also with the Shingles a rash develops on your back. This spreads Varicella zoster virusesthat caused chickenpox in childhood along nerves in the back.
Since the nerves in the back are arranged in segments, the skin rashes caused by shingles impress with their usually sharply defined, belt-shaped appearance, which is eponymous.
Drug eruptions, i.e. skin rashes due to intolerance to drugs, often begin on the back.
Another cause of a rash on the back is acne. Besides the back, it usually occurs on the face and in the area of the neck and chest.
There are many causes of a rash. Often times, the exact cause is not found out. Often, unspecific irritation of the skin is responsible for reddish and sometimes itchy skin changes.
Rashes on the legs often come from allergic reactions to a newly used shower gel or washing lotion. Also after frequent shaving The skin on the legs may be so irritated that it leads to a reddish rash on the legs. Also too dry skinas they e.g. Also present in winter can be very irritated and promote the development of a rash.
Rashes on the legs can otherwise be symptom-free but they can also be very itchy. Sometimes form small pustuleswhich then open up and release liquid secretion. In this case, one is suspected Shingles. Sometimes a Neurodermatitis affects the legs, which can then also be itchy and reddened.
If it is more of an allergic cause, it should be considered whether a new detergent or washing lotion etc. has been used recently. In this case, you should initially leave out the new product. An attempt at treatment with Fenistil as an antiallergic (see also: Antihistamines) can be applied to the reddened skin areas. An improvement should then occur soon.
For more information, see: Red spots on the legs - warning sign or harmless?
If a rash affects the whole body, one can generally assume that it is not a skin disease as such, but a reaction of the body against a disease in which the rash occurs as a symptom, i.e. as an accompanying sign of this disease .
If you have a rash that affects the whole body, you have to contact one allergic reaction e.g. on a food or a drug (see also: Rash from allergy, rash after antibiotics) etc. can be thought of.
Most of the time there are so-called medication intolerances Exanthema to see that in the form of converging, reddish large spots represent.
Small reddish pustules that spread on the body and on the back and chest as well as the face should always be on one Childhood illness, such as chickenpox make you think.
measles appear as large, reddish spots on the trunk and are usually associated with a high fever and severe malaise.
Other childhood diseases that can cause a rash all over the body rubella or Scarlet fever be.
Sharply delimited, reddish areas can always be replaced by a Shingles be conditional. Here itchy, dry, reddish pustules first appear, which then burst and empty in liquid form.
Also unspecific irritation of the skinas they e.g. Frequent washing or skin that is too dry can lead to a rash on the body. In most cases, however, only part of the body is affected by the rash and rarely the entire body. Before treating a rash, the diagnosis should be established or at least narrowed down.
Furthermore, there are internal diseases, i.e. diseases of certain organs, which result in a rash all over the body. This is the case, for example, with certain kidney diseases.
Rash in babies is often caused by intolerance reactions of the baby's delicate skin to care products or after taking medication. A drug what Baby often too rash is the antibiotic Amoxicillin.
Often a baby gets a rash shortly after birth, which is caused by the change in the surrounding situation, i.e. from the amniotic fluid to the air. This can lead to blockage of the sebum glands, causing a rash and pimples.
Another reason for a baby's rash is what is called Baby or newborn acnewhich is caused by the hormonal changes after the birth, as the hormone production previously taken over by the mother must now be guaranteed by the child's body alone.
Furthermore, the delicate baby skin can also be so irritated by environmental influences such as cold or solar radiation that it leads to a rash.
Sometimes babies react to newly used care products with an excruciating itch.
If a product is suspected of this allergy another care product should be used quickly. Often it also comes from a excessively dry skin to a itching and to one Reddening of the skin in one part of the body. Above all, help here care productsthat keep the skin moist and supple. Numerous baby oils are commercially available and can be used to care for the skin.
Another common cause of rashes in babies is the so-called Diaper rash. The contact with the diaper in combination with heat and moisture leads to a reddish rash on the buttocks or in the groin, which can burn and itch and severely restrict the child. Characteristic of a Diaper rash is the typical localization. Drying the skin area is urgently necessary for treatment. The diaper product should be changed and zinc paste should be applied to the itchy areas of the skin to dry out the skin.
Furthermore, it can also be very common in babies Skin fungus come. Fungal infections usually present themselves as reddish areas that are sometimes flaky, sometimes smooth and which mostly itch. Due to the typical appearance and the characteristic localization, a fungal infection is usually a visual diagnosis. The treatment is carried out using ointments or creams. The healing should be evident within a week.
A common reason for one Rash in young children is the Hand, foot and mouth disease. This is a viral and contagious disease that appears in children in the form of painful sores (usually first in the mouth) becomes visible.
In addition to the typical childhood diseases that lead to rashes, another common reason for this is an allergy or hives. This results in a very itchy rash and hives, which are due to Intolerance to drugs, food, Skin care products or Insect bites can arise.
With toddlers attending kindergarten, you can also lice cause a rash. Often here are head lice. Also can Skin miteswhich are easily transmitted through skin contact and therefore often affect entire kindergarten groups, lead to a rash with severe itching.
The rash is caused by the body's defense reaction to the parasites' eggs and feces that they lay in the skin. This mite infestation is called scabies (scabies) designated.
Rashes can of course also occur during pregnancy.
These include the PUPP syndrome. The cause of this rash occurring is not known. It can appear anywhere on the skin. Characteristically, the rash occurs on the abdomen or arms.
In almost all cases, Pupp syndrome begins in the second half of pregnancy. After the child is born, they suddenly disappear again.
Treatment is purely symptomatic. Cortisone-containing ointments and lotions are used to reduce inflammation in the skin, as well as anti-itchy substances such as Fenistil, which is applied as a gel to the itchy skin area.
In addition to the PUPP syndrome, the onset of neurodermatitis can always occur during pregnancy. Mostly beginning in the crooks of the arms, the rashes can also spread to the forearms, stomach, chest or head area and be very painful. Atopic dermatitis during pregnancy is treated as usual, namely with creams containing cortisone. Since atopic dermatitis progresses in episodes, a basic therapy consisting of nourishing skin lotions should be carried out and an intensive treatment with a cortisone preparation should be carried out in the event of an episode.
Read more on this topic at: Rash in pregnancy and scarlet fever in pregnancy
A rash can also without annoying itching occurrence.
This is next to mumps also at Scarlet fever the case. At the beginning of the disease, a rash appears without itching, although the itching can still set in in the later course of the disease, when the skin becomes detached.
Rash without itching also occurs HIV in front. The weakened immune system generally makes infections easier and thus infections of the skin.
Another variant of the non-irritating rash is the Heat rash in which sweat produces too much secretion and clogs up over time, causing pimples and rashes, which are usually not accompanied by itching. Finally, there are undesirable effects of medication, i.e. side effects that turn out to be Rash without itching manifest. Typical representatives of these drugs are certain antibiotics (e.g. Amoxicillin), some pain relievers or anti-epileptic drugs.
Read more on the topic: Rash without itching
Wheals are a form of rash whose distinctive feature is fluid-filled, raised vesicles.
Wheals have a number of underlying causes, all of which have in common the release of histamine, an inflammatory mediator of the body.
This works on small blood vessels in the skin by promoting their blood flow and making the vessels more permeable. This causes fluid to escape from the blood vessels into the surrounding skin, causing the fluid-filled vesicles that are characteristic of the wheals.
The general The cause of the formation of wheals is therefore an excessive immune reaction. This can on the one hand by Allergies or by the so-called Hives be evoked. On the other hand, insect bites can be the cause, in which the immune reaction against the insect venom and the increased scratching at the puncture site lead to the formation of wheals.
In the case of very sensitive skin, mechanical overloading of the skin, for example from rubbing clothes, heat or cold, can lead to the formation of wheals. Certain infectious diseases, such as measles, also lead to the development of wheals.
For more information, see: Wheals
