A rash can show up at the worst possible time. Maybe you notice an itchy patch while getting ready for work, new bumps after spending time outside or redness that seems to be spreading. The first question is usually the same: Can I treat this at home, or should I see a doctor?
Most rashes are not emergencies, but a rash is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Allergies, skin irritation, infections, insect bites, chronic skin conditions and medication reactions can all cause changes in the skin. Because many rashes look similar, the symptoms that come with the rash often matter as much as its appearance.
Call 911 now if a rash comes with trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, eyes, lips or tongue, dizziness, fainting or another sign of a severe allergic reaction.
What Can Cause a Rash?
A rash may look red, pink, purple, gray or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your natural skin tone. It may also feel itchy, painful, warm, dry or tender. Common causes include:
- Contact with an irritant or allergen, such as a new soap, detergent, cosmetic, plant or metal
- Eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or another ongoing skin condition
- Viral, bacterial or fungal infections
- Heat, sweat, friction, insect bites or tick bites
- A reaction to a new medication or supplement
When a Rash Needs Medical Attention
Contact a healthcare provider promptly or seek same-day care when a rash:
- Spreads quickly or covers most of your body.
- Comes with fever, chills or a general feeling of being sick.
- Is painful, blistering, peeling or turning into open sores or raw skin.
- Affects the eyes, lips, mouth or genital area.
- Shows signs of infection, including pus, yellow or golden crusting, warmth, swelling, worsening pain, an unpleasant odor or red, purple or brown discoloration spreading around the area.
- Appears after you start a new medication, especially if you also have fever, facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, mouth sores, blistering or peeling skin.
If a new rash is mild but does not improve, keeps returning or interferes with sleep or daily activities, schedule an appointment. A primary care provider or dermatologist can examine the skin, review possible triggers and recommend the right treatment.
Could the Rash Be Contagious? Call Before You Arrive
Some infections that cause rashes can spread easily. If you or your child has a rash along with a high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, or a known measles exposure, call your healthcare provider before entering a clinic or waiting room. Calling ahead allows the care team to prepare and helps protect other patients.
What You Can Do for a Mild Rash
If the rash is limited to a small area, you know the likely cause and none of the warning signs above are present, these steps may help while you monitor it:
- Stop using a new skin care product, detergent or other suspected trigger when it is safe to do so.
- Wash the area gently and use a cool compress to ease itching.
- Use a fragrance-free moisturizer if the skin is dry or irritated.
- Avoid scratching, and leave blisters intact to reduce the risk of infection.
- Before using an over-the-counter cream or antihistamine, read the label and ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider if you are unsure. This is especially important for children, during pregnancy or when the rash is near the eyes, face or genital area.
Avoid guessing when you are not sure what caused the rash. A product that helps one type of rash can irritate another or delay the right treatment.
Help Your Provider See the Full Picture
Before your visit, take a clear photo of the rash and note when it started. Be ready to share any new medications, foods, soaps, cosmetics, outdoor exposures, travel, insect bites or recent illnesses. Also mention whether anyone else in your household has similar symptoms. These details can help your provider narrow down the cause.
Where Should You Go for Care?
For severe allergic-reaction symptoms or a rapidly worsening rash with serious illness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Urgent care may be appropriate for a non-life-threatening rash that needs prompt evaluation. A primary care provider or dermatologist can help with rashes that are persistent, recurring or connected to an ongoing skin condition.
West Tennessee Healthcare can help you find the right care. Explore our Urgent Care. You may also call 731-541-5000 for assistance.
The original article was published on July 26, 2022
