Rash in shape of circle
Circular rash: Causes and diagnosis
The most common cause of a circular rash on the skin is ringworm, but other issues can also leave this distinctive mark.
A doctor diagnoses the cause of a rash after examining it and asking about symptoms. They may recommend oral medication, a topical cream, or strategies for avoiding triggers.
In this article, learn more about the issues that can cause this rash and how to treat them.
Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection — it is not caused by a worm or any other parasite.
The infection got its name because it causes a rash that is usually circular, with a thin raised ring around the edge that may look like a worm.
Symptoms
The circular rash may initially measure a few centimeters across, and it can grow without treatment. It may look like a round, flat patch, and the middle of the rash tends to heal first.
On lighter skin, a ringworm rash is red or pink, and on darker skin, it is silver or brown.
The skin around the rash may be dry or scaly, and the rash can be extremely itchy.
Ringworm can appear on any part of the body, and the rash may not be ring-shaped if it appears on the scalp, soles of the feet, palms, groin, or nails. Athlete’s foot and jock itch are types of ringworm.
Ringworm is infectious and can pass from one person to another through close contact.
How long is ringworm contagious for? Find out here.
Treatment
Treatment involves antifungal cream or gel. A person should:
- Use the medication for 2–4 weeks, even after the symptoms go away.
- Keep the skin as clean and dry as possible.
- Wash the hands after touching the rash to keep it from spreading to other parts of the body.
The risk of developing ringworm is higher in warm, humid weather. To reduce the chances:
- Always shower after exercise.
- Change clothes daily.
- Do not share towels or brushes.
- Take any pet that develops bare patches of fur or other ringworm symptoms to the vet.
Learn about home remedies for ringworm here.
After a tick bite, a circular rash may develop at the site. This is an early symptom of Lyme disease.
Symptoms
The circular rash can appear days or weeks after the bite, and it may have a distinctive bull’s eye appearance.
On lighter skin, a person may see three circles surrounding the bite: a red circle closest to the bite, then a lighter ring, then another red ring. On darker skin, the appearance can be different — check for a raised ring around the bite.
The rash usually expands over time. It can cause pain, burning, or itching, and it may be warm to the touch.
A tick may bite any part of the body, and it may favor exposed or warm areas. These bites are common in the lower leg, armpit, groin, and back.
About half of the people who contract Lyme disease have flu symptoms, which usually appear before the rash.
Treatment
Receiving treatment early on is crucial. At an initial stage, a course of antibiotics can cure Lyme disease.
Check the skin for tick bites after being outdoors. Remove a tick right away, without squeezing it, and be sure to remove the tick entirely.
Learn more about the Lyme disease rash here.
Contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction.
Symptoms
The skin will darken or redden and may feel itchy or dry. Contact dermatitis can also cause the skin to swell or blister.
The size of the rash depends on how much skin has come into contact with the allergen.
The rash may be circular if the object triggering the reaction is round. For example, if a person has a nickel allergy, wearing a nickel watch may cause a round rash to form on the wrist.
Treatment
The most effective way to combat contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid contact with the allergen or irritant.
It can help to use products designed for sensitive skin and to check labels of soaps and personal care products carefully for common allergens and irritants.
Over-the-counter creams can help reduce swelling and irritation.
Learn more about contact dermatitis here.
Hives are a reaction to temperature, food, medication, viral infections, and other triggers.
Symptoms
Hives form when the skin swells into welts. These are red or skin-colored bumps or patches that may itch or burn.
Hives can develop on any part of the body, and they may appear and disappear quickly. In some people, hives or patches of hives may be circular and resemble bug bites.
Treatment
Antihistamines can reduce swelling and prevent hives if they result from contact with an allergen.
If hot weather is a trigger for hives, wear loose clothing, and use sunscreen. Also, it may help to dampen the skin with a wet washcloth.
Learn more treatments for hives here.
Granuloma annulare is rare. It causes bumps to form a circular or ring-shaped rash.
The rash most often appears on the hands, arms, or feet. Less commonly, it can spread across the body, or smaller patches can join to form larger ones.
Symptoms
The causes are still unclear, but granuloma annulare can develop after skin damage or a viral infection.
Granuloma annulare causes no symptoms beyond the rash, and it is not contagious.
Treatment
The condition usually disappears without treatment, but it can last for years. Steroid injections or creams may help the body heal.
If any circular rash lasts for a long time, causes significant discomfort, or affects the face or throat, a person should see a doctor.
If ringworm doesn’t go away after 2 weeks of treatment, see a doctor.
If it affects the scalp, however, it is a good idea to consult a doctor or pharmacist right away. Also, anyone who has a weakened immune system should see a doctor if they have ringworm.
If an allergic reaction is severe or the cause is unclear, seek professional guidance.
Always see a doctor about a tick bite, unless the tick was safely removed within 36 hours of the bite.
Seek urgent medical care if a rash:
- covers the entire body
- occurs with a fever
- is painful
- begins to blister
- occurs with difficulty breathing
A doctor, such as a dermatologist, will consider accompanying symptoms and any contact with allergens or irritants when diagnosing a circular rash.
Allergists can test for triggers of skin reactions, which are often pet hair or medication.
They may test the skin, blood, or urine, but they commonly perform patch tests. This involves placing strips containing small amounts of allergens on the back. The doctor then removes the strips after 48 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
Keeping track of foods, drinks, medications, physical activities, and symptoms in a diary can help a person identify what might be triggering a reaction.
The size and shape of a circular rash and the symptoms it accompanies can each point to the cause.
A person can treat mild cases of ringworm, hives, and contact dermatitis with home care and over-the-counter products. However, if a circular rash is severe or may result from a tick bite, see a doctor.
It is also important for a person to receive professional care if they have had an allergic reaction without an obvious cause.
Anyone with a persistent rash or other skin problems may benefit from seeing a dermatologist.
Circular rash: Causes and diagnosis
The most common cause of a circular rash on the skin is ringworm, but other issues can also leave this distinctive mark.
A doctor diagnoses the cause of a rash after examining it and asking about symptoms. They may recommend oral medication, a topical cream, or strategies for avoiding triggers.
In this article, learn more about the issues that can cause this rash and how to treat them.
Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection — it is not caused by a worm or any other parasite.
The infection got its name because it causes a rash that is usually circular, with a thin raised ring around the edge that may look like a worm.
Symptoms
The circular rash may initially measure a few centimeters across, and it can grow without treatment. It may look like a round, flat patch, and the middle of the rash tends to heal first.
On lighter skin, a ringworm rash is red or pink, and on darker skin, it is silver or brown.
The skin around the rash may be dry or scaly, and the rash can be extremely itchy.
Ringworm can appear on any part of the body, and the rash may not be ring-shaped if it appears on the scalp, soles of the feet, palms, groin, or nails. Athlete’s foot and jock itch are types of ringworm.
Ringworm is infectious and can pass from one person to another through close contact.
How long is ringworm contagious for? Find out here.
Treatment
Treatment involves antifungal cream or gel. A person should:
- Use the medication for 2–4 weeks, even after the symptoms go away.
- Keep the skin as clean and dry as possible.
- Wash the hands after touching the rash to keep it from spreading to other parts of the body.
The risk of developing ringworm is higher in warm, humid weather. To reduce the chances:
- Always shower after exercise.
- Change clothes daily.
- Do not share towels or brushes.
- Take any pet that develops bare patches of fur or other ringworm symptoms to the vet.
Learn about home remedies for ringworm here.
After a tick bite, a circular rash may develop at the site. This is an early symptom of Lyme disease.
Symptoms
The circular rash can appear days or weeks after the bite, and it may have a distinctive bull’s eye appearance.
On lighter skin, a person may see three circles surrounding the bite: a red circle closest to the bite, then a lighter ring, then another red ring. On darker skin, the appearance can be different — check for a raised ring around the bite.
The rash usually expands over time. It can cause pain, burning, or itching, and it may be warm to the touch.
A tick may bite any part of the body, and it may favor exposed or warm areas. These bites are common in the lower leg, armpit, groin, and back.
About half of the people who contract Lyme disease have flu symptoms, which usually appear before the rash.
Treatment
Receiving treatment early on is crucial. At an initial stage, a course of antibiotics can cure Lyme disease.
Check the skin for tick bites after being outdoors. Remove a tick right away, without squeezing it, and be sure to remove the tick entirely.
Learn more about the Lyme disease rash here.
Contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction.
Symptoms
The skin will darken or redden and may feel itchy or dry. Contact dermatitis can also cause the skin to swell or blister.
The size of the rash depends on how much skin has come into contact with the allergen.
The rash may be circular if the object triggering the reaction is round. For example, if a person has a nickel allergy, wearing a nickel watch may cause a round rash to form on the wrist.
Treatment
The most effective way to combat contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid contact with the allergen or irritant.
It can help to use products designed for sensitive skin and to check labels of soaps and personal care products carefully for common allergens and irritants.
Over-the-counter creams can help reduce swelling and irritation.
Learn more about contact dermatitis here.
Hives are a reaction to temperature, food, medication, viral infections, and other triggers.
Symptoms
Hives form when the skin swells into welts. These are red or skin-colored bumps or patches that may itch or burn.
Hives can develop on any part of the body, and they may appear and disappear quickly. In some people, hives or patches of hives may be circular and resemble bug bites.
Treatment
Antihistamines can reduce swelling and prevent hives if they result from contact with an allergen.
If hot weather is a trigger for hives, wear loose clothing, and use sunscreen. Also, it may help to dampen the skin with a wet washcloth.
Learn more treatments for hives here.
Granuloma annulare is rare. It causes bumps to form a circular or ring-shaped rash.
The rash most often appears on the hands, arms, or feet. Less commonly, it can spread across the body, or smaller patches can join to form larger ones.
Symptoms
The causes are still unclear, but granuloma annulare can develop after skin damage or a viral infection.
Granuloma annulare causes no symptoms beyond the rash, and it is not contagious.
Treatment
The condition usually disappears without treatment, but it can last for years. Steroid injections or creams may help the body heal.
If any circular rash lasts for a long time, causes significant discomfort, or affects the face or throat, a person should see a doctor.
If ringworm doesn’t go away after 2 weeks of treatment, see a doctor.
If it affects the scalp, however, it is a good idea to consult a doctor or pharmacist right away. Also, anyone who has a weakened immune system should see a doctor if they have ringworm.
If an allergic reaction is severe or the cause is unclear, seek professional guidance.
Always see a doctor about a tick bite, unless the tick was safely removed within 36 hours of the bite.
Seek urgent medical care if a rash:
- covers the entire body
- occurs with a fever
- is painful
- begins to blister
- occurs with difficulty breathing
A doctor, such as a dermatologist, will consider accompanying symptoms and any contact with allergens or irritants when diagnosing a circular rash.
Allergists can test for triggers of skin reactions, which are often pet hair or medication.
They may test the skin, blood, or urine, but they commonly perform patch tests. This involves placing strips containing small amounts of allergens on the back. The doctor then removes the strips after 48 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
Keeping track of foods, drinks, medications, physical activities, and symptoms in a diary can help a person identify what might be triggering a reaction.
The size and shape of a circular rash and the symptoms it accompanies can each point to the cause.
A person can treat mild cases of ringworm, hives, and contact dermatitis with home care and over-the-counter products. However, if a circular rash is severe or may result from a tick bite, see a doctor.
It is also important for a person to receive professional care if they have had an allergic reaction without an obvious cause.
Anyone with a persistent rash or other skin problems may benefit from seeing a dermatologist.
Erythema annulare: symptoms, treatment, diagnosis of the disease
Dermatovenereologist
Khasanova
Alina Rashidovna
Experience 9 years
Make an appointment
Erythema annulare is a multiform lesion of the skin, a characteristic feature of which is the appearance of ring-shaped spots and rashes on the skin. The color of the skin of the affected areas changes and becomes red, hot pink or bluish. Depending on the causes of the disease, edema, local fever and other manifestations of the disease can be observed. A change in skin color occurs due to the expansion of the lumen of the blood capillaries penetrating the connective tissue, and the blood stagnation associated with it.
Varieties of pathology
Doctors distinguish several types of annular erythema, depending on the causes of the disease:
- Darya centrifugal erythema - most often affecting middle-aged men, less often - children and the elderly, related to infectious-allergic manifestations;
- migratory - a disease of an infectious nature resulting from the bite of a tick infected with Borrelia;
- rheumatic, or annular erythema, is one of the symptoms that accompany rheumatism, characteristic of children and adolescents.
According to external signs, ring erythema can occur:
- in scaly form - with desquamation of dead skin along the edges or the entire surface of the spots;
- in vesicular form - with the appearance of small fluid-filled vesicles along the edge or the entire surface of the spots;
- in a garland-like form - with the mildest course, which is characterized by pale pink spots arranged in chains or garlands and disappearing after a few days;
- in microgarland-like form - with small spots, up to 1 cm in diameter, sometimes accompanied by peeling or blistering, with a long course.
The medical literature also mentions other, very rare types of annular erythema - telangiectatic, purpuric or indurated.
Symptoms
The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance on the skin of characteristic rashes in the form of irregular rings with a bright border raised above the surface of the skin.
With centrifugal erythema of Dardieu, they appear, as a rule, on areas of the skin, usually covered with clothing - on the back, abdomen and chest, forearms. Erythema annulare after a midge bite is a single spot that spreads from the site of infection, and in its final form it can reach 20-25 cm in diameter. The spots may be accompanied by itching or burning. In the rheumatic form of the pathology, there are no unpleasant sensations.
Causes of disease
There are many diseases and conditions that can cause erythema annulare, since it is not an independent disease and always occurs against the background of some pathological process. Skin manifestations most often develop against the background of:
- accumulation of toxins in the body;
- rheumatism;
- fungal, viral or bacterial infections;
- chronic inflammatory diseases;
- endocrine gland dysfunctions;
- tuberculosis;
- borreliosis;
- reduce the protective function of the immune system;
- allergic reaction;
- cancer;
- helminthic infestation;
- taking certain medications.
In addition, in many cases, Darier's annular erythema occurs for no apparent reason in perfectly healthy people.
Diagnostics
When erythema annulare appears, the diagnosis is based on dermatological examination data and history taking. The main task of the examination is to determine the cause that caused pathological changes in the skin. For this, the patient is prescribed:
- skin scraping test for fungus;
- clinical blood test;
- testing for treponematosis;
- skin biopsy for histological analysis;
- serological examination of blood;
- allergy tests.
Based on the results obtained, specific studies can be prescribed to determine the state of certain organs and identify the underlying disease.
Treatment
The main principle of the treatment of erythema annulare is to stop the action of the factor that provokes the pathology. Depending on the results of the diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed drugs for oral administration:
- antibiotics, antivirals for the treatment of infection;
- antiallergic and hyposensitizing agents;
- cytostatics;
- deworming agents;
- glucocorticoids.
In addition, external agents may be useful - antihistamine, steroid or zinc-containing ointments to reduce discomfort and reduce symptoms. With erythema annulare, clinical recommendations may include limiting certain foods that cause an allergic reaction: confectionery, mushrooms, nuts, canned food, smoked meats, citrus fruits, etc. You should be prepared for the fact that the treatment process will last several months, as well as the possibility relapses.
Diagnostics and treatment of annular erythema in Moscow
The clinic of JSC "Medicina" conducts effective diagnostics and treatment of erythema annulare in Moscow. We have a powerful laboratory and diagnostic base that allows us to perform the most modern and informative types of analyzes and diagnostic procedures. Consultations are conducted by experienced doctors of the highest category. Make an appointment online or by phone at a convenient time for you.
Questions and answers
Which doctor treats erythema annulare?
If you suspect an annular erythema, you should immediately contact a dermatologist who will conduct an appropriate diagnosis and prescribe treatment based on its results.
In the future, you may need to consult an allergist, rheumatologist, oncologist or other specialists, depending on the cause that caused the appearance of red spots on the skin.
Ring erythema - is it contagious?
No, this pathology is not transmitted to other people even in cases where it is caused by an infectious disease.
How dangerous is erythema annulare?
By itself, ring erythema does not pose a great danger. With timely started adequate treatment, the patient is guaranteed to recover. However, it should not be neglected: if left untreated, the disease becomes chronic with constant relapses. Skin manifestations indicate the presence of health problems, therefore, when they appear, it is necessary to contact a qualified dermatologist without delay.
COVID-19 rash | A rash can be a symptom of coronavirus
The onset of COVID-19 can be associated with the appearance of various types of skin lesions. They resemble papules, nodules, vesicles, excoriations (abrasions), scales, ulcers, some are in the form of spots, indurations or nets.
The rash can occur in people who are asymptomatic with COVID-19. In 21% of patients, dermatosis was the only symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At the same time, 17% of patients reported skin rash as the first manifestation of the disease.
The incidence of skin symptoms of COVID-19 is difficult to determine. There is also no known relationship between some skin symptoms and disease severity. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that in some patients, skin lesions may be a manifestation of a reaction to multiple treatments for COVID-19.
Contents:
1. Covid-19 rash - where does it appear?
2. What does a COVID-19 rash look like?
coronavirus - when does it occur and how long does it last?
5. Rash as a manifestation of childhood inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) after COVID-19 in children
6. "Coronavirus fingers"
7. COVID-19 and chickenpox - how is the rash different?
8. Treating COVID-19 rash
Covid-19 rash - where does it appear?
Skin lesions are often the body's response to viral infections.
However, in the case of COVID-19, doctors are surprised by the variety of skin rashes, the time of their appearance and location.
Skin lesions associated with COVID-19 occur on various parts of the body, such as around the mouth, trunk, limbs, legs and arms. They are not always accompanied by itching.
What does a COVID-19 rash look like?
The rashes associated with Covid-19 are varied and similar to skin lesions associated with other viral diseases, according to a study conducted by specialists in Spain. They noted that skin changes did not correlate with the severity of the infection: some were accompanied by asymptomatic COVID-19, others - severe forms of infection.
Five types of rash were noted:
• Irregular frostbite-like patches on the arms and legs, sometimes accompanied by soreness and itching. Mostly encountered in young patients with a mild course of the disease, appeared in the later stages and lasted about 12 days.
Registered in 19% of cases.
• Focal eruption in the form of small vesicles, which can cause itching, located on the body and upper and lower limbs. Occurs at the time of the onset of any other symptoms and occurs at 9% of cases in middle-aged patients; kept for 10 days.
• Urticaria-like patchy eruption, white or pink, often itchy. They were noted in 19% of cases, mainly on the body, but also happened on the palms.
• Maculopapular eruptions in the form of small flat or bulging vesicles, which were observed in 47% of cases. These rashes persisted for about a week and appeared simultaneously with other symptoms, but most often accompanied by a severe course of the disease.
• The appearance of a vascular red-blue network or signs of skin necrosis on the skin was observed in 6% of patients, mostly elderly with a severe course of the disease.
At the same time, experts note that the rash can have a different origin, and it is difficult to classify it without having the appropriate experience and knowledge.
In case of any skin symptoms, Medicover dermatologists with many years of experience and extensive experience in diagnosing various skin lesions are always ready to help you!
Skin lesions and diagnosis of COVID-19
Diagnosis of dermatological changes caused by COVID-19 consists primarily in the exclusion of other possible causes of rashes, such as, for example, allergies.
This may require a series of studies to determine if the rash is related to SARS-CoV-2 infection, or if it is a reaction of the body to certain medications, or if the infection is caused by other pathogens.
If finger pressure on purple-red skin lesions does not cause them to disappear, this is an alarm that indicates the need to seek medical attention in order to rule out infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In Medicover clinics, you can get professional advice from a dermatologist and undergo all the necessary examinations to establish an accurate diagnosis, as well as get advice on effective treatment in accordance with modern international clinical guidelines.
Coronavirus rash - when does it occur and how long does it last?
The first symptoms of COVID-19 can occur approximately 5-6 days after infection, sometimes this period is extended up to 14 days. However, a rash can be both the first symptom and the only sign of COVID-19..
Depending on the type of skin lesions and their severity, they last from several days to several weeks.
Skin rash may be accompanied by other systemic symptoms associated with COVID-19. These include:
• fever
• Permanent cough
• shortness of breath, breathing problems,
• Fatigue
• Chill
• Dizziness
• Loss of smell and taste.
rash as a manifestation of children inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) after COVID-19in children
Viral diseases are a common cause of skin lesions in children. A rash caused by SARS-Cov-2 may appear on a child's skin up to 2-4 weeks after infection and indicate the development of childhood inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2.
PIMS with multiform inflammatory syndrome in children sometimes occurs after COVID-19 infection, sometimes even after asymptomatic infection. PIMS most commonly occurs in schoolchildren around the age of 9years.
In the case of children, skin lesions caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection may appear as reddish papules, resembling other viral exanthems. Papules may appear on the face and back, and within 3-5 days they disappear spontaneously.
Any rash in children should be consulted with a pediatrician. Until an accurate diagnosis is established and the connection with COVID-19 is excluded, children should not come into contact with other people, especially the elderly, who are prone to a severe course of coronavirus infection up to death.
"Coronavirus fingers"
Skin lesions in the form of so-called "coronavirus fingers" are more often diagnosed in young people, adolescents and children. They take the form of red spots, vesicles and even ulcers, accompanied by swelling of the skin of the fingers and interdigital spaces.
COVID-19 and chickenpox - how is the rash different?
The papulo-vesicular eruption of COVID-19 and chickenpox are very similar. They differ in the age of patients and localization of skin lesions.
In SARS-CoV-2 infection, skin lesions are more common in adults with a mean age of 60 years. However, one of the main clinical features is the localization of lesions in the trunk area, the elements are diffuse in nature, they are characterized by the absence of itching.
The rash appears 3 days after the onset of symptoms of COVID-19 and spontaneously disappears after 8 days without leaving marks, while with chickenpox the rash can be biphasic and last up to 2 weeks.
Treatment of rash due to COVID-19
Rash due to SARS-CoV-2 infection does not require specific medical procedures. Clinical data show that it is enough to simply observe its course and apply symptomatic treatment if necessary. Useful antihistamines that relieve itching and swelling of the skin.
