Rash

Under the term Rash many different forms of rash are summarized and can differ significantly. The most popular rashes are generally visible rashes.

What is a rash?

A rash is reddening of the skin - it can be single red spots or extensive reddening.

A rash is reddening of the skin - it can be single red spots or extensive reddening. In medical terminology, this is known as a rash. Rashes can appear on all parts of the body and sometimes spread to the mucous membranes.

In many cases, the affected part of the body feels warm, and the rash can itch or cause drawing pain. In particularly severe cases, the rash also causes the affected area of ​​skin to fester, which then becomes inflamed.

causes

Rash often occurs as an immune response from the body. Accordingly, it is the first sign of an allergy in humans. Many allergy tests are based on this principle: The substance to be tested is applied to the skin and the allergy is confirmed if a rash forms. Allergy-related rashes may either be completely painless or it may be slightly itchy.

A rash that results from drug intolerance also develops in a similar manner. Before taking a new, unknown medication, you should therefore always read the package insert, as it is noted there whether a rash can occur as a side effect. It can either be an immune response from the body or it can be a sensitive response to a potent drug.

A number of diseases that occur particularly frequently in childhood also cause characteristic rashes on various parts of the body. Measles, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever, and three-day fever are the diseases most commonly associated with skin rashes. Depending on the disease, it takes on a characteristic appearance. Chickenpox, for example, has the familiar red, raised, itchy spots on the skin, while rubella causes spotted, reddish rashes. Among other things, rash occurs in the secondary stage of syphilis, the main symptom of which it is.

Among other things, rash occurs when the skin does not respond well to a care product. It can be an allergic reaction, but it can also be a simple defense reaction of sensitive, irritated skin.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for rash & eczema

Diseases with this symptom

• Tonsillar angina
• Scarlet fever
• measles
• rubella
• chickenpox

• typhus
• syphilis
• allergy
• Meningitis
• HIV infection

• Hyperthyroidism
• Shingles
• Neurodermatitis
• Hives (urticaria)
• eczema
• Typhus

Rash

A rash, Greek for "I bloom", is an acute rash. Often it occurs with infectious diseases. Typical representatives are measles, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever and typhus. A rash can also be the cause of an intolerance to certain medications. In syphilis, too, rash is the main symptom in the secondary stage.

Scarlatiniform exanthema

In a scarlatiniform rash, the interior of the throat is deep red. The palatine tonsils are badly swollen. Later on, whitish deposits appear in the form of spots. At first the tongue is white. The deposits will disappear after a short time. In return, however, clearly visible, shiny red taste buds appear. This phenomenon is also called raspberry or strawberry tongue.

However, this finding does not say anything about whether the person has scarlet fever, as is often the case. Other diseases, in particular the most diverse viral diseases or allergic reactions to medication, have such a rash or are a consequence of it.

Enanthem

An enanthem is a rash on the mucous membranes. However, this form of the rash is extensive or spotty. This rash occurs especially in the mouth and throat area with certain infectious diseases.

Diagnosis & course

The cause of a rash (exanthema) should be diagnosed quickly for prompt treatment. The doctor will first ask where the rash first appeared.

He also asks about previous illnesses, other complaints (e.g. fever, cough or nausea), medication intake and possibly infectious contacts with sick people. The doctor uses a spatula and magnifying glass to examine the skin and, if necessary, carries out biopsies, allergy tests and blood tests.

Virus infections often first appear on the head and then sometimes spread over a large area. In contrast, “seborrheic eczema” only appears on the face. As a side effect of drugs, the "drug eruption" spreads from the abdomen over the body.

Complications

If left untreated, the rash can spread to other skin areas. Adults in particular sometimes don't take rashes seriously and therefore don't have them treated - only to notice the nasty surprise the next day. Furthermore, the rash can reach deeper layers of the skin, causing inflammation and visible cracks on the skin surface.

Depending on the cause, the rash can develop into a purulent complexion, which not only looks unsightly but also opens the door to further germs. A purulent rash can therefore lead to so-called opportunistic infections of the skin, which take advantage of its attacked condition and implant when the immune system can no longer defend itself against it. If the rash is complicated, healing may be impaired afterwards and scars may be left on the skin.

Sometimes these disappear over time or at least become so pale that they can only be seen on closer inspection. If, after a severe rash, the scarring occurs on an area that is always visible, such as the face, this represents a cosmetic problem for the person concerned. In order to ensure quick and unproblematic healing of the skin, a rash should always be taken seriously and treated by a General practitioner or dermatologist to be examined.

When should you go to the doctor?

The skin is commonly referred to as the largest organ in the human body. Not surprisingly, reactions of all kinds are particularly common. Therefore, it is not always easy to decide when to see a doctor. A weighing must be carried out taking into account all the circumstances of the individual case. Because it is not uncommon for a rash to indicate a merely harmless intolerance. Especially if detergents or creams cause skin reactions, it is enough to change the product. The rash then regresses on its own so that a visit to the doctor is not mandatory.

However, as some infectious diseases can also cause skin reactions, special care should be taken with rashes that occur together with other symptoms. In such cases, you should not hesitate to see a doctor. Even if the rashes persist, it makes sense to see a doctor.

In addition, medical advice should be sought in the event of a rash, if the skin reaction occurs suddenly and without warning, if other symptoms are known, or if an existing rash becomes worse, widened or otherwise changed.

When it comes to babies and children, there is no need to hesitate because the immune system is not yet fully developed. See a pediatrician to identify the cause of the rash and initiate treatment. For adults, a visit to the family doctor is usually sufficient.If necessary, they can refer you to a dermatologist.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Consult a doctor immediately if you have any form of rash. For some forms of rash, treating the underlying condition is paramount. This is the case with syphilis, for example, but also with scarlet fever and other dangerous diseases. The rash can be treated symptomatically if it causes severe pain or is particularly uncomfortable.

In other cases, the rash itself is primarily treated. With chickenpox, the patient is prescribed a special lotion that must be applied to the skin to relieve itching. Otherwise, involuntary scratching will result in scars and indentations on the skin that can be seen decades later. Usually, a combination of both methods is used to treat rash.

Outlook & forecast

A rash can appear on many parts of the body. Consultation and treatment by a doctor is only necessary in a few cases. Most often, the rash is an allergic reaction by the body to a certain food or some external influence on the skin. If the causer is no longer ingested or applied to the skin, the rash will usually go away within a few days or even hours. The skin can also be supported in this process with soothing creams.

If the rash does not go away on its own within a few days, a doctor can be asked for advice. They can do an allergy test so that they can understand what caused the rash. In this case, the rash can also be treated with medication. After treatment with medication, the rash disappears completely and there are usually no scars left.

If the rash occurs due to poor personal hygiene, it will only go away if the person concerned improves their hygiene. In this case, inflammation and itching can also develop on the skin.

If the rash has been on the skin for a long time, it may leave scars on the skin.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for rash & eczema

prevention

To prevent a rash, allergy sufferers should at all costs stay away from substances or living things to which they are allergic. This prevents a rash in the first place. The same applies if the skin is sensitive to a care product.

A rash can be prevented by using an alternative product that is less damaging to the skin. Anyone who easily gets a rash from commercially available products will find alternatives in the pharmacy. To prevent illnesses, it is worth thinking about a protective vaccination at an early stage.

You can do that yourself

Rash does not always require medical treatment. Those affected can often reduce the symptoms with home remedies and a change in diet and lifestyle. First of all, people who suffer from rashes should use gentle, pH-neutral care products without artificial additives so as not to further irritate the skin. Loose clothing can prevent friction and skin irritation.

Depending on the condition, the rash can be treated with different oils, fresh coriander leaves or a warm bath with wheat bran. After showering or bathing, the skin should be air-dried to avoid further irritation of the affected areas. Adequate personal hygiene also contributes to a reduction in symptoms and an increase in well-being.

If the rash is caused by a food intolerance or allergy, dietary measures will help reduce the symptoms. A health diary helps to find possible causes for the rash and to treat them quickly and in a targeted manner. In general, the body and especially the immune system should be spared so that the rash can heal quickly and without complications. If there is no improvement despite these own measures, a dermatologist should be consulted.