Rash on the neck can arise from many different causes. The changed skin areas affect the affected person not only visually, rashes also very often cause unpleasant itching or pain. Most often, skin rashes are a harmless phenomenon.
What is a rash on the neck?
A rash on the neck is an inflammatory reaction of the skin and is usually clearly visible with redness. A rash on the neck is an inflammatory reaction of the skin and is usually clearly visible by redness. Affected patients suffer from (severe) itching, and (burning) pain may also occur. The skin may be taut or feel hot. The appearance of the skin redness can vary greatly. The affected areas may be pimply or completely flat, covering a large area or divided into separate areas. There may be blisters or pustules filled with secretion, or the rash may appear as wheals. Redness is common, but affected areas may also have brownish or white patches. In most cases, a rash on the neck is harmless and will resolve without treatment. In rare cases, however, it can be a sign of a serious illness and should therefore be examined by a doctor.
Causes
The causes of rash on the neck depend on the exact diagnosis. It can be caused by an allergic reaction, such as wearing jewelry made of certain metal, using incompatible cosmetic products, but can also occur due to consumption of certain foods. Infectious rash on the neck, on the other hand, can be viral or bacterial. Here, herpes viruses, chickenpox, measles or folliculitis come into consideration. Once infection with the pathogens has occurred, the characteristic rashes form. Rashes can also occur in the presence of an autoimmune disease, as a result of a prolonged inflammatory disease and in acne. Stress-related rashes may also occur. Skin rash can also be a sign of anaphylaxis, but then there are other serious accompanying symptoms, such as respiratory distress.
Diseases with this symptom
- Chickenpox
- Contact allergy
- Rubella
- Measles
- Anaphylaxis
- Ringworm
- Hair folliculitis
- Acne
- Neurodermatitis
Diagnosis and course
To diagnose rash on the neck, a thorough history by the doctor is necessary. Through a series of questions, he will clarify exactly the clinical picture. Therefore, the patient should answer these questions as precisely as possible and be able to describe the exact course. It is important to know when the rash occurred and what preceded the reaction. Every possible trigger should be mentioned, such as the consumption of certain foods or a new product for personal hygiene. Any little thing here can be a crucial clue to the cause. Subsequently, the doctor will also perform an examination of the affected skin areas. A visual examination of the rash can often yield an accurate diagnosis, as many of these particular diseases show very characteristic features on the skin. Measles, for example, can be clearly distinguished from chickenpox. Usually, a rash on the neck has no serious causes and disappears as quickly as it appeared.
Complications
A rash on the neck can become very uncomfortable, because not only is the appearance disturbed, it can also itch and cause pain. Most of the time, the cause is rather harmless, but a doctor should still look at the redness or blisters. A rash on the neck is usually manifested by redness that can itch or burn, and sometimes the skin feels hot. The rash can vary greatly, sometimes the redness is completely flat, but pimply areas can also appear. In most cases, a rash on the neck does not need to be treated at all, it disappears on its own. However, there may be a disease behind it, which only a doctor can determine. Of course, an exact diagnosis is important, but usually there is only an allergy behind it. For example, the wearing of nickel jewelry can be the trigger or it simply scratches a sweater.Cosmetic products can also cause a rash and even food is often responsible for a rash on the neck. Childhood diseases such as measles or chicken pox can also cause rashes on the neck, especially during the infection phase. In some cases, inflammation has also not been treated and even stress can cause the redness. Normally, a rash on the neck is not dangerous, but if accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath or fever are added, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
When should you go to the doctor?
There are numerous, mostly harmless causes for the development of rash on the neck. Often, the rash on the neck is associated with itching or even pain. Because of this, as well as the visual impairment, those affected by rash on the neck usually seek medical attention. Rash on the neck is usually an inflammation of the skin, recognizable by redness, tightness and overheating of the skin. Occasionally, pimples, pustules, wheals or vesicles join in. The most common causes of rash on the neck are allergies to certain ingredients of cosmetic products, to some types of metal in jewelry, and food allergies. However, rash on the neck can also be an expression of an infectious disease such as herpes, folliculitis, measles or chickenpox. Other causes are acne and autoimmune diseases. A clarifying preliminary discussion with the family doctor is meaningful with rash at the neck. According to his analysis, he can refer his patient to a specialist such as a dermatologist, allergist, internist or pediatrician. In addition, the attending physician can give his patient tips on skin care and explain how to deal with or avoid substances that trigger the rash.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of rash on the neck depends, of course, on its cause. If the skin reaction was triggered by an allergy, the possible trigger should be identified and then natural. Symptoms triggered by an allergic reaction usually disappear very quickly as soon as contact with the allergy trigger no longer occurs. It becomes more critical when an allergic reaction causes anaphylaxis. In addition to skin rash, there are then other, usually severe symptoms such as circulatory failure, respiratory distress or swelling of the face. In such a case, immediate treatment by a doctor is necessary; in the best case, an emergency room should be visited so that the circulation can be quickly stabilized and further measures can be initiated. If the doctor diagnoses acne as the cause of the rash, some drug therapies are available to reduce the sebum production of the skin and thus prevent the occurrence of the skin inflammation. For rashes caused by viruses, antivirals can be administered to curb the multiplication of the viruses. Irrespective of the cause, creams or (antibiotic) ointments can often relieve the symptoms of a rash on the neck. They soothe the itching and allow the inflammation to subside. Some such preparations are available over the counter in pharmacies.
Outlook and prognosis
A rash on the neck often occurs as a result of infections and allergic reactions or intolerances to certain foods. Once the food responsible for it is cleared from the body, the rash on the neck recedes. In most cases, it does not lead to further complications and does not need to be treated by a doctor. If the rash on the neck persists for a longer period of time or leads to uncomfortable feelings, a doctor can be consulted. Treatment is usually done with medications or various creams to remove the rash on the neck. It is not uncommon for the rash on the neck to occur in conjunction with acne. In these cases, it is a common symptom of puberty or the result of poor personal hygiene. The rash on the neck is always an unpleasant situation for the patient and can lead to social problems. If, in addition to the rash on the neck, there are other symptoms and a general feeling of malaise, a hospital should be consulted. This may be a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment.
Prevention
Prevention of rash on the neck is only possible if the trigger is known.Therefore, naturally incompatible foods should be avoided and irritating cosmetic products should be avoided. If jewelry on the skin is the trigger, the metals it contains should no longer be brought into contact with the skin. Infectious diseases that can result in a rash on the neck are best prevented with good hygiene measures.
This is what you can do yourself
In the case of a rash on the neck, the discomfort can be relieved by various home remedies and self-measures. If the rash occurs only in one place, it should first be checked whether the discomfort is due to an article of clothing such as a rubbing scarf or a shirt with an abrasive collar. In addition, general measures such as avoiding abrasive or irritating fabrics and using antibacterial skin care products can help. Regular showers with pH-neutral soap relieve itching, reduce redness and increase general well-being. In addition, care products without perfume and other irritants should be used so as not to put additional stress on already sensitive skin. Otherwise, creams and ointments with aloe vera relax the skin and cool the sensitive areas on the neck. Equally effective are sunflower oil, coriander lotions or creams with sea salt – applied to the itchy skin areas. Healing clay or lavender can also help relieve discomfort. Depending on the cause, a change in eating habits is also recommended: greasy and heavy foods should be avoided, as should alcohol and other stimulants. Those affected should also ensure sufficient rest and avoid stress as far as possible. Psychosomatic causes can at least be alleviated by a change in lifestyle habits.
