Rashes

What causes rashes?

Many allergies, illnesses, and other factors can cause a rash to develop. Diseases like chickenpox, shingles, and measles cause rashes. You could also develop a rash from a skin infection like shingles, impetigo, and ringworm. A bite or sting by an insect can also cause a rash.

Psoriasis is another common type of skin rash that’s caused by a disorder that makes your skin cells multiply too rapidly. 

However, in many cases, rashes, including hives, are allergic reactions. Common reasons for an allergic reaction rash include:

• Touching an irritating substance like pet dander, latex, or a plant like poison ivy
• Medications
• Specific foods

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is due to an immune system malfunction that causes inflammation of your skin. 

When should I talk to a doctor about rashes?

Many rashes go away on their own and don’t cause lasting problems. However, if you have a chronic rash or frequently break out with hives or other rash symptoms, you should talk to the team at Mannam Medical & Wellness about your symptoms. Additionally, if your rash develops in or on your mouth, you should seek medical attention, as this could lead to potentially life-threatening swelling in your throat. 

The team provides extensive testing, such as for allergies, to identify the type and cause of your rash. When they know what is causing your symptoms, they create a personalized treatment plan to soothe and heal your skin and prevent future breakouts. 

What happens during allergy testing?

Allergy testing is often a critical component in identifying the cause of a rash. During the test, your provider applies a small, diluted amount of a suspected allergen to your skin. Then, they watch your skin for a reaction. The team at Mannam Medical & Wellness can test for multiple allergies at the same time, creating a line or grid of test sites on your skin.

Your provider stays with you throughout your test to monitor your reactions and to provide immediate treatment in case of a severe allergic reaction. A severe reaction is rare, but the team always puts your health and safety first. 

How are rashes treated?

When it comes to rashes, prevention is vital. For example, if the team at Mannam Medical & Wellness determines that your rash is due to an allergy, they help you create a plan to avoid exposure. They might also recommend allergy shots to condition your immune system to ignore specific allergens. 

Your provider might also prescribe a topical treatment like a steroid cream or an antifungal cream, depending on the cause of your rash. In some cases, they recommend oral anti-inflammatory medicines. 

Call Mannam Medical & Wellness, or make an appointment online today, for expert diagnosis and treatment for rashes.