Itchy Rash: Causes, Treatment & Help

An itchy skin rash is a frequent and very annoying companion on the body not only in the summer months. However, with the right treatment it is possible to get rid of it quickly and effectively prevent its recurrence.

What is itchy skin rash?

By definition, itchy rash is a rash on the skin that itches, scratches and bothers. The medical community refers to a rash as dermatitis or eczema. Itchy rash is by definition a rash on the skin that itches, scratches, and bothers. The professional world refers to a rash as dermatitis or eczema, although both terms describe the same manifestation. Nevertheless, there are many forms and in case of a chronic occurrence of a rash, a specialist should therefore be consulted without fail. The rash is characterized by a mostly reddened area on the skin. The skin usually appears dry or slightly oozed when palpated and every touch leaves an itchy sensation. A distinction is made in the course between primary and secondary florescences. The former can be vesicles, wheals, pustules, etc. and are part of the normal course. Secondary efflorescences, on the other hand, occur in the final stage of the course and are either a sign of scarring of the skin, or a sign of penetration of the skin by the patient and subsequent delayed healing.

Causes

An itchy skin rash can have many causes, and most of the time it is not that tragic. Only rarely is there a more serious disease behind the obvious symptoms, but it is still advisable to see a knowledgeable doctor immediately in case of a rash to minimize the risks. Serious diseases behind a rash can be among others: shingles, syphilis, measles, rubella and chickenpox. However, many other moderate to severe diseases can also cause a rash on the skin. In most cases, however, an allergy or intolerance to certain substances comes into consideration. Here, too, a visit to the doctor is recommended, because in this way, for example, a drug intolerance can be recognized at an early stage and taken into account accordingly in later treatments. Rarer is a disease called neurodermatitis. Anyone who suffers from consistently dry skin and frequently or very frequently develops rashes in certain areas is probably suffering from this disease. Here, the damage to the skin should definitely be treated professionally to minimize subsequent damage.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Eczema
  • Shingles
  • Allergy
  • Genital herpes
  • Syphilis
  • Measles
  • Neurodermatitis
  • Scabies
  • Rubella
  • Chickenpox
  • Psoriasis
  • Hives

Diagnosis and course

Diagnosis at the itchy rash should be done only superficially on your own. More important is a professional opinion and determination by the specialist. This can determine the clinical picture exactly and recommend a suitable therapy. The course of the disease varies and can be quite different even in a common manifestation. For example, smallpox pustules may recur once or twice, even though the actual disease has long since subsided. Particularly in the case of more complex clinical pictures, it is often difficult to determine a regular course, but in principle the healing and scarring phase begins directly after the inflammation phase. Both can turn out differently long, which depends on the kind of the treatment as well as the own contact with the rash.

Complications

An itchy rash can cause various complications depending on the underlying disease. Typical disease that causes an itchy rash is chickenpox, for example. Occurred in childhood, the disease treated heals relatively quickly without complications. However, the resulting blisters can be scratched open and these can become infected with bacteria. Other feared complications include inflammation of the cerebrum (encephalitis). This can trigger seizures that lead to unconsciousness and, in the worst case, death. Also for a fetus can be infected by the mother sick with chickenpox and lead to appropriate complications. Malformations and [[growth disorders in children|growth disorders]] may occur.Chickenpox can recur at any time in adults as shingles (varicella zoster) and likewise cause complications such as meningitis or cranial nerve palsies. Similarly, rubella causes an itchy rash. However, complications rarely occur in adults. They mainly affect pregnant women, who can transmit the virus to the fetus. This leads to rubella embryopathy, which is characterized mainly by heart defects, deafness and a cataract. Furthermore, scarlet fever also has multiple complications, but they are quite rare. For example, the bacterium can release dangerous toxins into the bloodstream, resulting in shock symptoms (streptococcal toxic shock syndromes). Further complications can arise when antibodies formed by the immune system against the scarlet fever pathogens attack tissues of the patient’s own body. This can lead to rheumatic fever and inflammation of the kidneys, despite healing of the disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

A doctor should be consulted if permanent and severe skin reactions occur, if the skin is very itchy, swollen or painful, or if the itchy rash is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, pain, dizziness, nausea or vomiting. In addition, affected individuals should see a doctor if the rash symptoms appear very suddenly and violently, if the symptoms develop slowly over a long period of time and continue to spread, or if affected individuals do not know the cause of the itchy rash. If the rash does not disappear on its own within a few days or if the symptoms do not disappear despite treatment, a doctor should also be consulted. A visit to the doctor is also recommended if the symptoms of the itchy skin rash change significantly or if the rash occurs in episodes. Reddened patches of skin may indicate bleeding. Pus may form and ulcers may appear. A doctor is the right person to consult for these symptoms as well. If a contagious infectious disease, venereal disease, fungal or parasitic infestation of the skin is suspected, a visit to the doctor should be made. Especially if infants or small children suffer from itchy skin rash, a pediatrician should be consulted. If the itchy rash occurs during or after a trip to the tropics, a visit to the doctor is recommended.

Treatment and therapy

Like the diagnosis, treatment should be carried out only on the advice of a specialist. It is essential to adhere to the treatment plan, otherwise successful treatment cannot be guaranteed. Common treatments, depending on the nature of the disease, are ointments and antibiotics. Both have an anti-inflammatory effect and in many cases the ointments provide the affected areas with much needed moisture. Disease patterns such as neurodermatitis or fungal infections often require a lengthy and long-term therapy plan to be successfully cured. Allergic reactions may also require significant and necessary lifestyle changes as part of the treatment plan. For example, certain medications or foods can now no longer be used or ingested and must be addressed accordingly in future treatments. Also, rashes are often a result of improper hygiene. For example, certain substances in soap or detergent can cause allergic reactions.

Outlook and prognosis

In the case of an itchy rash, the prognosis depends on how severe the rash is and which areas of the body are affected. Usually, a rash does not need to be treated directly by a doctor and will disappear on its own, as it is temporary. If a skin rash is not treated, it can worsen, spread over a larger region of the body or disappear on its own. Whether the rash goes away on its own depends on what caused it. Often an allergy to a certain food or ingredient is the reason for the rash. If the supply of this ingredient is stopped, the rash disappears again. In some cases, the rash has other causes and will not go away on its own. In this case, a doctor should be consulted to treat the symptom. Treatment takes place either with creams or with tablets.An itchy rash on the skin often causes the affected person to scratch the skin. This can cause sores that remain after the disease. In most cases, the disease is positive, so the rash can be eliminated either with or without treatment.

Prevention

To prevent the itchy rash in the future as effectively as possible, there are always a number of possible measures. Depending on the cause, it is of course advisable to complete your own hygiene and use non-toxic soaps, fat-donating creams and non-irritating detergents for cleaning clothes. Here, organic detergents are especially recommended, because they are mostly produced and sold without hazardous substances. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help prevent the rash from returning and remaining an annoying memory. Similarly, smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee and drugs is a common cause of recurrent and itchy rash and therefore, in the best case, should not be started in the first place.

This is what you can do yourself

The methods of self-help for an itchy rash depend greatly on its cause. In many cases, the rash is caused by intolerance to a food or an allergic reaction to a particular ingredient. In these cases, no treatment is necessary. The rash disappears again on its own after the body has completely broken down the ingredient. This can last for several days. If the rash occurs after using a cream or ointment, these skin care products should no longer be used. To soothe the rash, gentle moisturizers can be used to hydrate the rash, allowing it to heal more quickly. Under no circumstances should the patient scratch the rash. This can cause unpleasant injuries and sores. As a rule, the itching only intensifies if the spot is scratched. If the rash occurs after the bite of an insect, a doctor should be consulted. It is often only a harmless rash, but information should be obtained. In case of dangerous insect bites, the rash can also be treated with antibiotics. If the itchy rash occurs due to poor hygiene, the patient must wash more often and maintain general cleanliness.