Rash and itching on the face and body is something that many are bothered with at some point in their lives. Often times these problems are caused by a variety of conditions, such as eczema, allergies or dermatitis. Sometimes the cause can be found from bug bites or insects. The rash a person experiences can be either visible or invisible. Often times it is just itchy but in rare cases, it can even be painful. An organ such as the skin is very prone to diseases, as over a hundred conditions can affect it. Furthermore, it can happen anywhere on the body, often multiple areas at once.
As a condition, any type of rash can be psychologically stressful and therefore it is smart to seek treatment for the problem. There are many options available that can help you reduce the itchiness of the skin and finally, eliminate it completely.1
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Skin diseases that can cause rashes
The skin is our largest organ. It can be affected by rash or itchiness due to multiple reasons. Depending on the cause, it can be visible on a smaller scale or covering a larger part of the body. Due to eczema or hives, the rash can be rather unspecific and appear all over the body. If it appears only on a small area it can be due to diabetes, insect bite, scabies, kidney disease or fungal infection and others. Thus, the cause can either be direct, such as an insect bite or indirect, such as a condition like diabetes.2
There are three types of itching in the skin:
- Chronic rash
- Acute rash
- Rare diseases that can cause itching
A chronic rash can refer to different forms of eczema. An acute rash is usually a cause of an insect bite or hives. There are also some rare diseases that can cause itchiness such as bullish pemphigoid, lichen ruber and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Itchy rashes are usually never dangerous because they are often caused by dry skin. Skin becomes dry when it loses fluids and thus dries out. Neutral soaps and moisturizers should be avoided because washing out the rash can cause it to deteriorate. At the same time, you should avoid swimming, alcohol and caffeine consumption because it can further dry the skin. If you experience rash over a longer period of time you should consult a doctor.
Shingles
Shingles caused by the detox virus-zoster virus (VZV) can cause painful rashes. It can affect about 10-30 percent of the population during a lifetime. The disease can occur in all age groups but it is relatively rare in young people. Thus the rate rises rapidly with age.
Usually, the rash will occur within about three to six days after the pain/discomfort started. The symptoms of shingles are usually tingling, itchiness and burning of the skin that can develop into blistering. Inflammation of these blisters may burst before they dry out. The duration of the rash varies between weeks to months.
There are different medications against shingles, but there is no cure. One can take a vaccine that halves the proportion who gets affected by the disease. This vaccine is not widely used in Britain, as it is not common for the disease to develop into anything more than a mild and harmless rash. You can also use medications like Zovirax and Valtrex.
Herpes outbreak (Herpes Simplex)
This infection can also lead to rash and itchiness of the skin. There are two types of viruses; HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types can cause lesions around and in the mouth and in the abdomen. Herpes can not be eliminated, but it can be kept under control and most do not allow herpes infection to break out. Symptoms of cold sores are usually an itchy skin and tingling around the mouth and the chin. After the initial symptoms, the outbreak will develop into fluid-filled blisters. It is very important that you do not touch them since they can infect and can cause it to cease to grow. If this happens, it is important to wash your hands and face thoroughly.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections in the skin usually result from various types of fungi that attack parts of the body. The different types of fungi give different ailments. Fungal infection may cause rash, flaking and itching on the infected area. The most common places to get fungus are on the feet, abdomen, scalp and mouth.
The most common symptoms of fungus are scaling between toes, fluctuating rashes, scaly pink or brown spots on pale skin, red and flaky rashes, red ring (ringworm), flaky scalp and broken hair.
There are different treatment options for fungal infections. In a common fungus attack, you can treat it with fungicide cream. If the infection is worse, use tablets instead and seek medical attention for a better treatment, usually provided in a collaboration with a dermatologist. On the other hand, if you have fungus infection on your feet, you should wear airy footwear and cotton socks, which should be washed at 60 degrees.
Borrelia
This disease is similar to hives. Borrelia usually occurs in the form of a ring around the bite, but it is not always itchy. This infection can be treated with antibiotics. Read more about borrelia.
Eczema
Atopic eczema causes a nude and itchy rash that is most common in children but may occur in adults as well. Eczema can worsen with stress and cold weather but is mostly due to external sources. Eczema can occur in different parts of the body and it is determined by your age. In adults, it usually occurs on the hands but on infants it is seen on the wrists, ankles, elbows, behind the knees or throat. The biggest risk factor for eczema is an inheritance. The people with asthma and hay fever have a greater chance of developing the condition. Read more about eczema.
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition affecting especially the youth. The symptoms of acne are usually red swelling on the skin and itchiness, mostly affecting the facial area, chest and back. It is important not to touch the spots as it will not help them to disappear any faster. Read more about acne.
Allergies
An allergic reaction can cause a rash on the body and itchiness of the skin. It can result in small red bumps or even blisters that can in some severe cases be painful. Usually, allergic reactions are a result from taking medicine that is not suitable or it can also be a reaction to pollen and seasonal changes, especially for ones that are suffering from hay fever. Read more about allergies.
Other infections
Other times, more serious infections can lead to rash, such as blood poisoning and meningococci. The symptoms of these infections can typically involve rash, so do not panic if you notice it on the body. If you have a fever at the same time, you should seek medical advice. As a rule, you should take every hazard signal from the body seriously, and it is always better to visit the doctor.
What can I do to reduce rash and itchiness of the skin?
Since there are many different skin diseases, there will be many different treatments and prevention methods. People in Britain usually have a thin skin that is very sensitive to eczema. The most typical skin problems that occur in the UK are dry skin and sunburns. Dry skin can cause itchiness, cracking and flaking after being exposed to the transition between summer and autumn. Sunburns can cause similar effects but it can potentially be life-threatening. In either case, it is important to keep the skin moisturised and protected from UV-light.
Treatment options
There are various products that can help you with rash and itchiness. Two of them are Hydrocortisone and Eurax. These medicines are prescription-free and can be found in your local pharmacy. If you have a more severe rash on your skin you should consult a doctor.
There are some medicines that have the opposite effect and actually can cause rash. These are Paracet, Albyl, Ibux, Brufen, Naproxen, Naproxen, Orudis, Confortid, Diclofenac with several anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant medications. Many cholesterol lowering and heart and blood pressure medications have the same effect. If you are experiencing itching while being on some other medication try to talk with your doctor about it find an alternative.
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