Synonyms
exanthema, rash red spots
Definition
In medicine, the term skin rash means the sudden appearance of irritated and/or inflamed areas of the body. Skin rashes with red spots can basically occur on any surface of the body and in many cases are accompanied by itching.
Symptoms
A skin rash is accompanied by a general reddening of the skin surface, which can occur in the form of small red spots or all over the skin. In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called exanthema. A rash with red patches can develop on almost any part of the body and in rare cases can even spread to the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose and intimate area.
In the majority of cases, the appearance of a rash is a sign of a pure skin disease, but often irritated and/or reddened skin areas are also a symptom of an allergic reaction or organ disease. In general, the development of a rash with red spots is quite common in children, but in adults the rash is usually caused by more serious problems that require specific education. There can be a variety of causes for red spots.
Often they are a reaction to an allergenic substance (so-called allergen), which leads to a far-reaching immune reaction in the organism. In case of an allergy-induced rash, the red spots can be accompanied by moderate to severe itching. An intolerance to various drugs can also lead to the development of a rash.
One speaks of a so-called drug exanthema, i.e. a rash caused by drugs. If a skin rash occurs after the first intake of an unknown drug, it is advisable to choose a doctor as soon as possible and discuss the further procedure with him. The responsible drug may have to be discontinued and the treatment continued with another drug. A skin rash around the mouth, accompanied by red spots, can also be a reaction of the skin to too much care. In rare cases skin cancer can also be the cause of a rash.
