In this Article

• What are the different types of common skin rashes?
• Scaly patches of skin not caused by infection
• Scaly patches of skin produced by fungal or bacterial infection
• Red, itchy bumps or patches all over the body
• What is the treatment for a rash?
• Pictures of Adult Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Pictures of Child Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Gallery of Skin Problems Pictures and Images Collection
• Patient Discussions: Rash - Effective Treatments
• Rash Glossary
• Rash Index

What is the treatment for a rash?

Most rashes are not dangerous to a person or people in the vicinity (unless they are part of an infectious disease such as chickenpox). Many rashes last a while and get better on their own. It is therefore not unreasonable to treat symptoms like itchy and/or dry skin for a few days to see whether the condition gets milder and goes away.

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) remedies include:

• anti-itch creams containing camphor, menthol, pramoxine (Itch-X), or diphenhydramine (Benadryl);



• antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlortrimeton, or loratadine (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert); and



• moisturizing lotions.

If these measures do not help, or if the rash persists or becomes more widespread, a visit to a general physician or dermatologist is advisable.

There are many, many other types of rashes that we have not covered in this article. So, it is doubly important, if you have any questions about the cause or treatment of a rash, to contact your doctor. This article is really just as the title indicates: "Rash 101: Introduction to Common Skin Rashes."

A word on smallpox vaccination in patients with rashes

People with atopic dermatitis or eczema should not be vaccinated against smallpox, whether or not the condition is active. In the case of other rashes, the risk of complications is much less. Consult your doctor about the smallpox vaccine.

Previous contributing editor:

Medical Editor: Frederick Hecht, MD

Rash - Effective Treatments

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