Rash (skin rash): what it is and how to treat

The rash, also known as a skin rash , is characterized by the presence of red spots on the skin that can be of various types, depending on the size and shape of the lesions. Often, in addition to the change in skin color, symptoms such as itching, swelling of the skin, pain at the spot and fever may also appear.

The rash usually arises due to an allergy, medication use, viral, bacterial or fungal infections, autoimmune diseases, stress or insect bites.

The treatment to relieve the rash depends on the causes of the appearance of red spots, but in most cases, you should seek a general practitioner or dermatologist who can recommend medications or ointments to reduce itching and inflammation of the skin.

What are the types

The rash can be of various types and is classified according to size and location in the body, such as:

• Sudden: also known as roseola, it is very common in babies, and presents itself as small reddish spots spread throughout the body, being an infection caused by the human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6); Maculopapular: it manifests as pink-colored patches protruding from the skin, it usually appears on the chest and abdomen and occurs in various diseases caused by viruses such as measles, rubella and dengue; Morbifiliform: it is characterized by red papules on the skin with size between 3 to 10 mm, which start in the arms and legs, reaching the whole body and are typical in diseases such as mononucleosis, dengue and hepatitis; Urticariform: also called urticaria, it appears as isolated red spots, of various sizes, which cause intense itching and is very common in allergic reactions to food or medication; Papulovesicular: presents as papules with liquid content, called vesicles, which cause itching, can appear anywhere on the body and is common in diseases like herpes or chickenpox, better known as chicken pox; Petechial: appears as small reddish spots on the skin, which usually start in the chest area, do not cause itching and are caused by coagulation problems or low platelets.

If skin spots characteristic of these types of rashes appear, it is important to consult a general practitioner or dermatologist, who will evaluate other symptoms. In addition, you can also request blood tests to recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Main causes

The rash is a very common symptom in some health conditions and diseases, and may be accompanied by other symptoms. Among the most common causes of the appearance of red spots on the skin are:

1. Allergy

Allergy is a reaction of the body's defense cells, which happens when a person comes into contact with some irritating substance and one of the most common types is contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis can be triggered by skin contact with beauty products, chemicals such as detergents, rubber and latex or even certain types of plants, which can lead to the appearance of skin rash , burning, itching and, in some cases, sneezing and difficulty breathing. Know other symptoms of contact dermatitis.

How to treat: it is important to wash the skin with water and mild soap, as usually the red spots caused by contact dermatitis disappear when the person is no longer exposed to the product that caused allergy. However, if the red spots increase on the skin and if shortness of breath appears, it is necessary to quickly seek care from a general practitioner.

2. Use of medicines

The use of medicines can also cause allergies, because in some cases, the defense cells of the body understand the medicines as some harmful product. The most common symptom of allergic reactions to medications is urticaria-like rash, which may appear in the chest a few minutes after taking the medication or up to 15 days after treatment is started.

In addition to urticaria, allergy to medications can cause other symptoms such as itchy skin, eye swelling, wheezing and shortness of breath, which can be caused by medications such as aspirin, sodium dipyrone and other anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and anticonvulsants.

How to treat: you should see a doctor as soon as possible, as most of the time it is necessary to suspend the medication that caused the allergy, and make a treatment that may include the use of antiallergic and / or corticoid medications.

3. Viral infections

The rash is often associated with the appearance of other symptoms such as fever, headache, pain in the body and water in the neck, in which case it may be a sign of some disease caused by a virus. Viral diseases that cause rashes are very common in childhood, but can affect people of any age.

The main viral diseases are measles, rubella, mononucleosis, chickenpox and are transmitted by droplets of saliva, sneezing or through direct contact with skin lesions. Diseases such as dengue and zika also cause spots on the skin and are caused by viruses, but are transmitted by bites of the mosquito Aedes aegypti . See some natural ways to ward off the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

How to treat: the diagnosis of some of these diseases can be made by a general practitioner or pediatrician, so when these symptoms appear, it is necessary to seek a health center or hospital. Before performing blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will assess the characteristics of the skin rash , how long it has appeared, the size of the red spots and whether the person is vaccinated or not.

As there are no specific medications to treat these diseases, most of the time, the treatment is based on the use of medications to lower fever, relieve pain, rest and fluid intake. The ideal way to prevent the onset of some viral diseases is the vaccine, which is most often available through SUS.

4. Bacterial infections

Some infections caused by bacteria also cause the appearance of a rash, for example infectious cellulitis. Infectious cellulitis usually affects the leg region and the main symptoms are redness, swelling, pain, sensitivity to touch and fever, which can spread to other parts of the body. Scarlet fever and Lyme disease are also caused by bacteria in the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus groups and cause symptoms such as rash and fever.

When signs of redness and fever appear, it is important to seek assistance from a general practitioner or dermatologist to start treatment as soon as possible. See other bacterial infections and how to identify them.

How to treat: The treatment for most of these bacterial diseases consists of the use of oral antibiotics between 7 and 15 days, and even if the symptoms improve in the first 3 days, it is necessary to take the antibiotics during the entire period that was indicated by the doctor. In addition, the doctor may prescribe some medications to relieve pain and reduce fever, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

5. Fungal infections

Fungal infections are quite common and affect mostly people with low immunity. The skin is one of the regions of the body most affected by infections of this type, as well as moist and hot areas, such as the region between the toes and the corners of the nails, which are most affected. The most frequent symptoms of yeast infections are red spots on the body, itching, flaking and cracking of the skin.

How to treat: it is recommended to see a general practitioner to indicate the most appropriate treatment according to the region and the severity of the skin lesions. In general, treatment is based on the use of creams and pills to eliminate fungi. In addition, it is important to take measures to prevent new yeast infections, such as maintaining a balanced diet, doing proper body hygiene and wearing clean clothes.

6. Lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus is a type of autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system begins to attack the person's own body, affecting some organs, such as the skin. One of the main symptoms of lupus is the appearance of a rash that is visible with red spots on the face in the shape of a butterfly.

Other symptoms of lupus are sores in the mouth or head, hair loss and joint pain. Take a test to see if the symptoms may be lupus.

How to treat: It is important to see a general practitioner or rheumatologist to perform tests and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Generally, treatment consists of using medications such as corticosteroids, skin cream and anti-inflammatories. In addition to the use of medication, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet and reduce stress, so that it does not worsen the skin spots caused by lupus. Despite being a disease that lasts the rest of life, the person lives normally and has quality of life.

7. Stress

Stress is a feeling that causes emotional changes, but it can also generate physical reactions in a person, such as a skin rash . In some situations, when the person is very nervous, red spots appear on the skin, due to the increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

In other situations, stress can trigger reactions or worsen the symptoms of an illness, as being stressed causes the body to release substances that generate inflammation. For example, in people who have psoriasis or rosacea, stress can worsen skin lesions.

How to treat it: if the skin rash happens because of a specific stressful situation, the red spots usually disappear within a few hours, however if there is a worsening of any disease already diagnosed it is important to follow the treatment and consult the doctor who is monitoring. In addition, to prevent stress from worsening the spots on the skin, it is necessary to do relaxing activities such as practicing some physical exercise, doing yoga or meditation.

8. Insect bites

The bites of insects such as mosquitoes, bees and hornets can cause skin rash , due to a skin reaction caused by the stinger or by the action of formic acid eliminated in the ant bite. In addition to red spots on the skin, the bites can cause blisters, swelling, pain, itching and burning and, in people who are allergic to insect bites, inflammation and pus may occur where they were bitten.

How to treat it: skin reactions caused by insect bites tend to improve without treatment, but cold compresses can be applied to relieve symptoms. If the red spots do not improve or inflammation arises, it is necessary to seek assistance from a general practitioner, who may prescribe anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs.