Rash all over the body often appears completely suddenly and unexpectedly on the most different parts of the body. It is manifested by pimples, pustules, wheals or scaly and reddened areas of the skin, which may also itch, burn and hurt. In addition to an allergic reaction, it can also be caused by an infectious disease.
What is rash all over the body?
A rash all over the body can spread quickly or more slowly on the skin, depending on the cause, or it can move from one part of the body to another over time. A rash all over the body may spread quickly or more slowly on the skin, depending on the cause, or may move from one part of the body to another over time. Small or large pustules, wheals or blisters may appear, which may also be filled with fluid. In most cases, the affected areas of the skin are reddened, can be (extremely) itchy or even burn. Sometimes the skin in these areas feels significantly warmer and may also flake. However, such a rash can also be completely flat and brownish or white in color. Thus, there is no absolutely uniform appearance for skin rash. Since rash all over the body can often be a sign of a contagious infectious disease, it is essential to consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis. Indeed, if left untreated, such diseases can lead to serious complications.
Causes
The cause of rash all over the body can be completely different. Rash due to an infectious disease has different causes than an allergic reaction of the skin. In an infectious disease that brings a rash, the particular pathogen is responsible for the outbreak. After infection, a typical skin rash usually appears quickly and spreads rapidly. This is the case with chickenpox, for example, the herpes zoster virus, or with measles a virus of the genus morbillivirus. But also allergic reactions or neurodermatitis can be responsible for a rash all over the body. The cause may be a contact allergy or an environmental allergy. These reactions often occur in sensitive skin regions such as the elbows or the back of the knees. In rarer cases, an internal disease may also be behind such an extensive rash.
Diseases with this symptom
- Neurodermatitis
- Contact allergy
- Three-day fever
- Shingles
- Chickenpox
- Measles
Diagnosis and course
Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis on the rash all over the body by taking a detailed medical history in conversation with the affected person. In doing so, he asks the patient a series of questions, which he should answer as thoroughly and in as much detail as possible. It is important to know when the rash occurred and whether it was preceded by a particular event, whether unfamiliar foods were consumed or even whether a new body care product was used. Even small details and accompanying symptoms can give a clue for a definite diagnosis. The doctor will then also visually examine the rash. Many infectious diseases, one of the symptoms of which is a skin rash, show very specific and clear characteristics that make an exact diagnosis of the disease possible. As a rule, a rash can be treated without complications and improves within a few days.
Complications
A rash all over the body usually appears suddenly and a wide variety of areas on the body can be affected. The body becomes covered with red spots, pimples, pustules or wheals that may itch or burn. Usually an infectious disease is responsible for this, but allergies to certain substances can also be responsible. Depending on the cause, the rash can spread quickly or slowly over the entire body and sometimes even move from one area of the body to another. The rash can always look different, there is no uniform appearance of the pimples or spots. This rash primarily indicates a contagious infectious disease. So, the doctor should always be contacted, he can make an accurate diagnosis. The cause of the rash all over the body can be different, but in the case of an infectious disease, the spots look quite different than, for example, an allergic reaction.In case of infections the rash develops quite quickly, in case of chickenpox or measles it spreads in no time. Neurodermatitis can also be responsible for the rash and in rare cases an internal disease is diagnosed. The doctor will also visually examine the rash, because he immediately recognizes the symptoms of “childhood diseases“. A rash on the whole body is relatively easy to treat, after only a few days the rash disappears.
When should you go to the doctor?
Rash all over the body that appears suddenly and for no apparent reason, or is extremely itchy or painful, requires rapid clarification by a dermatologist. Affected individuals should also see a doctor if the rash spreads to other areas of the body or suddenly changes in color and appearance, is accompanied by redness or swelling, or if alarming symptoms such as high fever, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, or swelling of the airways with resulting shortness of breath occur. If a venereal disease or fungal or parasitic infection of the skin is suspected, a urologist, internist (specialist in internal diseases) or dermatologist should be consulted. A rash all over the body that occurs in episodes or accompanies an infectious disease can also be problematic and must be examined promptly by a physician accordingly. The same applies if the rash occurs as a result of an allergy or as an accompanying symptom of an existing disease or a certain medication. If complications such as pus formation, skin bleeding, ulcers, etc. occur, or if the rash develops as a result of a trip to the tropics, this also requires rapid clarification by a dermatologist. If the rash can be traced back to a specific detergent, skin cream or article of clothing, a specialist diagnosis is not necessary. With infants and children who have rashes all over their bodies, a doctor should always be consulted.
Treatment and therapy
The specific treatment of a rash all over the body was directed entirely by the cause of the skin reaction and should begin in the fastest way. Infectious diseases can be treated, for example, with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. In the case of allergic skin reactions, cortisone-containing preparations in the form of ointments and creams are often used, or antihistamines in tablet form. For a quick success it is absolutely necessary to find out the allergy trigger and to avoid it. In some diseases, however, only a specific treatment of the symptoms is carried out, i.e. a so-called symptomatic treatment. This is the case, for example, with chickenpox or rubella. Regardless of the cause of the rash, ointments, creams or tinctures can always be applied to the affected areas. These promote healing and/or relieve symptoms such as itching and burning. Although numerous over-the-counter ointments and creams against skin rash are available in pharmacies, these should only be used with great caution. Under certain circumstances, such preparations could additionally irritate the skin and thus cause an aggravation of the symptoms. In case of doubt, a doctor should be consulted before use. In principle, a visit to the doctor is always recommended so that the cause of the rash on the whole body can be found. Especially with the highly contagious childhood diseases, it is important to know exactly what disease it is, so that a risk of infection for the immediate environment can be minimized.
Outlook and prognosis
A rash all over the body does not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. This often occurs as a result of allergic reactions or intolerances and also disappears on its own. Without treatment, the rash on the whole body disappears in most cases within a few hours or a few days. However, if the rash persists and causes pain or itching, a doctor must be consulted. Treatment is with creams or with tablets that reduce the body’s reaction. In most cases, medical treatment leads to success within a short period of time and the rash disappears. The rash often occurs simultaneously with itching. In this case, sores may appear if the affected person scratches the corresponding areas.Ordinary everyday life and sleeping are then no longer possible, as the rash feels very uncomfortable when it comes into contact with textiles. If the rash persists over the entire body and is associated with severe pain, a doctor must be consulted. The rash can also be treated with antibiotics if it is a more serious infection. In most cases, treatment leads to success.
Prevention
To prevent rash all over the body, there are no absolutely protective measures. Childhood illnesses are usually highly contagious, so infection often occurs even with careful hygiene measures. Allergenic substances should also be avoided, of course, if the intolerance is known.
What you can do yourself
For rashes all over the body, a number of self-measures and home remedies promise relief. Depending on the underlying condition, the discomfort can be treated by various ointments, creams and bath additives, for example. Increased body hygiene helps to remove possible pathogens from the skin and to relieve itching. It is also recommended to wear loose clothing to reduce friction. Home remedies for rashes all over the body that have proven effective include sunflower oil, lavender oil or coriander leaves. The general rule for rashes is to keep an illness diary to determine possible causes. The symptoms can then be alleviated by targeted measures such as a long-term change in diet and avoidance of irritating substances. If an allergy is the underlying cause, the relevant irritants should be specifically avoided. Acute symptoms can often also be alleviated by a change of environment, for example if bed bugs or house dust are causing the rash. In everyday life, itching and other accompanying symptoms can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle, but often also by mere distraction. In the long term, the complaints and their causes should be clarified by the family doctor or a dermatologist.
