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When to Worry About a Rash in Adults

Rashes can cause irritation and discomfort. Rashes in very visible places such as your hands or face might even cause embarrassment. Fortunately, most rashes are mild and not a cause for concern. You can generally treat a rash with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.

However, there are rashes that a medical professional should look at. These rashes might be a sign of an infection, allergic reaction, or disease. You can read 12 common signs a rash might be a sign of something more serious below.

An area on your skin that is itchy, irritated, and swollen is called a rash. A rash can be raised, bumpy, blistered, or patchy.

Rashes can present differently depending on your skin tone. People with lighter skin often see rashes that are pink, red, or purple. People with darker skin might develop rashes that are white, gray, or darker than the surrounding skin.

Rashes can be caused by many things including:

underlying health conditions
stress
sun exposure
allergic reactions
weather

Rashes are very common. Many types of rash are mild and can be treated with OTC medications. For example, contact dermatitis is a rash you get when your skin touches something that causes it to become itchy and irritated.

If you’ve ever gotten a rash from a new laundry detergent, lotion, or soap, your rash was likely contact dermatitis. A contact dermatitis rash will be inflamed and itchy. It will generally be contained to the part of your skin that touched the irritant.

Avoiding the item in the future and using an OTC anti-itch cream is normally enough to treat contact dermatitis.

Other common rashes in adults include:

Hives. Often caused by an allergic reaction to medications, foods, or beverages, hives appear as raised, itchy, splotches and often spread rapidly.
Shingles. Caused by the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox, shingles is often painful forming patches of skin with bumps that blister and itch. Anyone who has ever had chicken pox is at risk of developing shingles.
Chronic rashes. Conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can cause chronic rashes that can flare when triggered. A dermatologist can help you manage these conditions.

Sometimes, a rash is a sign something serious is going on with your body. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on any rash you develop and watch for these signs. Seek medical care if any of them develop.

1. You have a fever

A fever is a key sign that rash should be looked at by a doctor. It could be a sign of an allergic reaction. A fever along with your rash could also indicate an infection such as:

herpes
measles
mononucleosis
scarlet fever

2.

The rash is spreading

A rash that is spreading is another sign it’s time to seek medical care. A rash that is spreading quickly might be a medical emergency. It’s best to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room if your rash is spreading rapidly.

If your rash is spreading slower but is spreading over your body, it’s still a good idea to get it looked at. It might be a warning that your rash is caused by an allergic reaction or an infection.

3. The rash area hurts

A painful rash should be looked at by a medical professional. It could be infected or a sign of conditions such as shingles.

It’s best to also keep an eye on any rash that isn’t painful but that is tender when you press on it. This could be a sign of infection, and you’ll want to have it checked out if it doesn’t resolve after a day or so.

4. The rash came on suddenly

A rash that comes suddenly may be an allergic reaction to a medication. Sometimes, a rash can develop in the first few weeks after you start a new medication. Let a medical provider know about this side effect as soon as possible.

It’s important to be careful when a rash is caused by an allergic reaction to mediation. This kind of reaction can lead to difficulty breathing and may become a medical emergency.

5. The rash is beginning to blister

Sometimes rashes caused by sun exposure or poison ivy can blister. These rashes generally heal on their own in most cases.

However, unless you’re sure your rash was caused by the sun or poison ivy, any rash that blisters should be looked at by a doctor. It could be a sign that your rash is a severe allergic reaction to a medication or caused by an autoimmune condition called pemphigus vulgaris.

6. You see signs of infection in the rash

Rashes damage the surface of your skin. This can make it easy for infections to develop, especially if you scratch the rash area. An infected rash should be looked at by a medical professional. Signs a rash is infected:

pain
warmth
swelling
crusting over of rash bumps
yellow discharge
green discharge
a bad smell

7.

You have difficulty breathing

This is a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek care right away. A rash and difficulty breathing can be signs of a serious allergic reaction. This might happen when you eat or drink something you’re allergic to.

When to call 911

A rash can be a sign of a serious medical emergency called anaphylaxis when it happens along with other symptoms. Call 911 if you have a rash and any of these is occurring:

It is spreading rapidly.
You’re having trouble breathing.
You have a high fever.
You feel lightheaded or dizzy.
You’re nauseous.

It’s best not to drive yourself in any of these scenarios. If your reaction is anaphylaxis you could become unconscious in just a few minutes.

8. The rash looks like large purple patches

A rash that looks like large purple patches or dark bruises can be a sign of a serious condition. It could be a warning sign of an infection spreading throughout your body or of a blood clotting problem. It could also indicate a condition called vasculitis that causes your blood vessels to become inflamed.

A medical professional can determine what’s causing this rash and start treatment.

9. Bruises are forming in or around the rash

A rash with bruising or swelling around it might have been caused by an insect bite. It’s a good idea to seek medical care if you notice this symptom. The bruises and swelling are a warning that that poison from the bite could be cutting off blood flow to the area.

10. The rash is in a circle shape

A circular-shaped rash could indicate Lyme disease. Caused by ticks, Lyme disease normally causes a rash that resembles a bull’s-eye and symptoms similar to the flu. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease, so you’ll need to visit a medical provider for a diagnosis and prescription.

11. You’ve had the rash for longer than a week

A rash that persists for more than a week is worth getting looked at by a medical professional. There might be a reason your body is having trouble healing the rash. Plus, even if your rash is mild, a medical professional can give you tips to treat it at home.

12. The rash is causing you discomfort or concern

It’s a good idea to get any rash that is causing you to feel significant discomfort or concern checked out by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. While it might be simple contact dermatitis, it’s still a good idea to consult a doctor.

Rashes are a common skin condition. Most rashes are temporary and clear up on their own. However, a rash can be a sign of something more serious.

Allergic reactions, infections, autoimmune conditions, and more can also cause rashes that need to be seen by a medical professional.

Rashes that occur along with trouble breathing, fever, lightheadedness, or nausea, are a medical emergency.

Where does the rash on the body come from and what to do about it

A rash on the body is a common occurrence. Most often, it does not harm health: small red spots, pimples, bubbles spoil the appearance, itch, but quickly disappear by themselves.

However, sometimes rashes can be symptoms of serious and even life-threatening disorders.

When to see a doctor urgently

See your GP, dermatologist, nearest emergency room as soon as possible, or call an ambulance if:

The rash has spread all over your body.
Rash accompanied by fever. A temperature above 38.3 °C indicates an acute inflammatory process.
The rash on the body appeared suddenly and is getting thicker. This may be a sign of a powerful allergic reaction that risks developing into Quincke's edema or even anaphylactic shock. Be especially careful if the rash appears on the face and neck. If you notice that it is becoming difficult to breathe, immediately dial 103 or 112.
The rash is blistering. That is, in place of numerous red spots, bubbles filled with liquid begin to appear.
The rash is painful to touch.
The rash on the body is very itchy and you easily scratch it until it bleeds. In this case, there is a risk of introducing an infection into the wounds and getting blood poisoning.

If there are no threatening symptoms, exhale. Most likely, nothing bad is happening to you.

Now reading 🔥

What to do if the temperature persists at 37 °C

Causes of a rash on the body

It is often difficult to immediately determine where the rashes come from. Here are some of the more common options.

Insect bites

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A mosquito bite or, let's say, a bee bite is easy to identify: in its place there is a rounded dense swelling that itches or hurts. You can’t confuse such damage to the skin with a rash. But there are insects whose bites look like rashes. These are, for example, fleas - bed or sandy.

If you find itchy red dots on your skin in the morning or after the beach, you may have been bitten.

Photoallergy

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It is also an allergic reaction to ultraviolet light (“sun poisoning”). The rash may be different:

small itchy redness;
flesh-colored pimples that feel like sandpaper;
blisters;
patches of a distinct red color, tending to merge into a single whole.

Most often, an allergy to the sun occurs due to the fact that during tanning, some harmful substance was present on the skin - cream, lotion, medicine, plant juice - and ultraviolet turned it into an allergen. Alternatively, you may be taking medication that has made your skin sensitive to the sun.

Contact dermatitis

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Occurs when some toxic substance (allergen) comes into contact with the skin and the epidermis reacts with irritation and rashes in response. Allergens are often:

Sap or pollen from certain plants, such as poison ivy or nettle. A skin reaction to nettle pollen is so common that the characteristic skin rash is called hives.
Latex.
Certain metals that may be found in jewelry, hair clips, key rings. Most often, allergies occur on nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper.
Various cosmetic products ranging from creams to eau de toilette.
Dyes in cheap clothes.

Drug Allergy

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Rashes and itching can be side effects of certain medications, such as antibiotics. If you have recently started taking a new medicine, check the package leaflet. At the same time, check if there is any mention that the drug has a photosensitizing (that is, increasing sensitivity to sunlight) effect.

Hay fever

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He is also allergic to pollen. This variant can be suspected if the rash appeared against the background of other signs of an allergic reaction:

runny nose;
watery eyes;
compulsive coughing or sneezing.

Food allergy

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May manifest itself as hives that appear on different parts of the body, and scarlet rashes on the cheeks (this symptom is more typical for young children).

The most common food allergens are:

eggs;
milk;
peanuts and tree nuts;
fish and crustaceans;
wheat;
soy.

Skin infections

The rash may appear due to bacteria, fungi, viruses attacking the epidermis.

For example, with ringworm, round, itchy patches with a bright border appear. This fungal infection, contrary to stereotypes, can attack not only the scalp, but also any other part of the skin.

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An example of a viral infection is molluscum contagiosum. This disease makes itself felt by raised reddish-brown and, importantly, hard bumps with a diameter of 1-5 mm, which can appear on any part of the body. Despite the name, no shellfish lives under the skin. This is the skin's reaction to the virus.

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What to do if you have a rash on your body

The symptoms that require you to see a doctor as soon as possible are described above. If you do not have them, you can try to cope with the rash at home.

Keep your skin clean. In the morning, evening, and as it gets dirty, gently wash it with warm water and a mild, unscented soap. Until the rash goes away, stop using hard washcloths and brushes.
Wear soft, breathable clothing. Irritated skin needs to breathe.
Monitor the humidity in the room where you are. The optimal value is 40–60%.
Avoid foods that are potential allergens.
If you develop a rash after you start using a new product, stop using it for a while. And monitor your condition.
Moisturize your skin. This will reduce itching and help the epidermis recover faster. It is best to apply moisturizers immediately after a shower or bath. Use only hypoallergenic creams, lotions or gels.

If itching is so severe that you cannot forget it, consult a dermatologist or a general practitioner. The doctor will recommend antihistamine medications or pharmacy ointments to help reduce discomfort.

You should also consult a doctor if the rash does not improve after a day or two or seems unusual, inexplicable, or worrisome. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment.

main causes and what to do

Bumps and rashes on the body look unsightly and may be the result of various diseases. You should also worry if they choose a zone hidden from prying eyes for the location. We will tell you why acne occurs in an intimate place and when treatment is needed.

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Tags:

Cream

Women Health

vitamins

Epilation

acne

Narine Stepanovna Avanesyan

Candidate of Medical Sciences, obstetrician-gynecologist of the Atlas Medical Center

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Not only do rashes cause continuous inconvenience, they also force you to avoid intimacy. The skin in an intimate place in women and the mucous membrane of the external genitalia are equipped with glands that secrete fat and sweat, so acne is not so uncommon here.

The hormonal background, which changes at different ages, promotes the active work of the glands, and pimples jump up from this. They are white, reddish, can be outside or subcutaneously, one by one or in groups, appear in the groin or on the pope. By the way, a pimple in an intimate place can manifest itself not only in women, but also in men.

It is important to remember that only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe therapy. But what can not be done if a pimple has popped up in an intimate place is to crush it or injure it, in general, try to mechanically act on it. It is better to understand the factors contributing to its occurrence.

What kind of pimples are there in the intimate area

When a pimple hurts in an intimate place, imagine that it is not just thickening and redness. Such inflammations differ not only in appearance, but also in the methods of transmission, the nature of the distribution and the degree of impact on the body.

White pimples on the labia majora and labia minora, near the anus, in the groin, and so on, are formed due to blockage of the sebaceous glands. There may be many wen, but they are not considered an infection, nor are they transmitted to a partner. But if such pimples appeared in an intimate place, it is still not worth squeezing them. Otherwise, there is a high risk of introducing microbes, an inflammatory process will begin, and as a result, scars may remain.
Purulent pimple in intimate area causes pain, especially when it gets big. Because of this, the temperature can rise, the head hurts, and the lymph nodes increase. If it does not open on its own, surgery will be required to remove the contents and wash the wound.
Red pimple on the labia is provoked by hormonal imbalance, disruption of the endocrine system, stress. As a rule, a subcutaneous pimple in an intimate place of this kind rarely itches, but you should see a gynecologist to rule out a serious pathology.
Papillomas and condylomas look like transparent and watery pimples. But these skin growths are caused by the human papillomavirus. It most often affects the labia minora on the inside. The growths have a pointed, elongated or warty shape. In exceptionally rare cases, warts pose an oncological danger, so it is advisable to be examined.
Molluscum contagiosum spills out in large numbers and resembles a nodule with a kind of depression in the center. As a rule, an attempt to independently remove such a pimple in an intimate place turns into its further spread. It easily spreads further, it is worth scratching the area. It is considered contagious.

A pimple has come out in an intimate place: common causes

Of course, “pimples” is a collective household name for various types of formations. This is usually called clogging of the sebaceous glands, which lead to the formation of small lumps. What can be similar to them and why do they appear? We list the main factors explaining why acne is sometimes noticeable in intimate places.

Diabetes. With a high level of glucose in the blood, "bubbles" may appear in the folds in the groin area. In combination with itching in an intimate place, this leads to microcracks, which can cause infection and acne.
Bartholinitis. Inflammation of the gland of the vestibule of the vagina occurs due to the penetration of microorganisms into the excretory duct. As a result of inflammation, the duct is clogged, the secret thickens, stagnates, the labia minora swells. The girl is forced to state with regret that a pimple has jumped up in her intimate place. The disease is accompanied by severe pain, the temperature rises. If conservative therapy is ineffective, then surgical treatment is resorted to.
Candidiasis (thrush). With this fungal infection, a red, white pimple with a coating may appear in an intimate place along with other symptoms. Often they are accompanied by itching, burning in the vulva.
Papillomatosis. A chronic viral disease in which papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes - benign formations with a dense structure and a pointed apex. The presence of papillomas on the skin of the perineum may be accompanied by itching. Many people try to get rid of acne in an intimate place both with the help of folk methods (celandine) and antiviral drugs. But the hardware method carried out by a specialist is considered more reliable.
Avitaminosis. Deficiency of vitamins A, B, C, E leads to dry skin and flaking. As a result, a large pimple may also appear in an intimate place, alone and in company, or an inflammatory element similar to it.
Genital herpes. It appears as transparent vesicles with cloudy filling on the external genitalia, which cause pain and itching. Removal of such acne in intimate places should take place under the supervision of a doctor, who will most likely prescribe antiherpetic drugs and ointments for external use.

And a bit of zoology.

Helminthiasis. This parasitic infection is accompanied by itching in the perianal area, redness of the skin. Parasitic worms - helminths - can affect any tissues and organs. A person usually becomes infected through water or food. The doctor will tell you how to treat such acne in intimate places. In the case of the development of the disease, therapy is more often started with the intake of anthelmintic drugs.
Pubic pediculosis. In other words, pubic lice sometimes become an explanation for why a pimple or a whole group appears in an intimate place. This is also a parasitic disease, the symptoms are itching, spots, a rash on the pubis, in this case the rashes are small and white. But calm! Lice are on the verge of extinction.

What else causes acne in the intimate area

Not only diseases can serve as an impetus for the appearance of rashes. Sometimes the reason that acne occurs in an intimate place lies in the elementary failure to follow the rules of hygiene. As we have already mentioned, the skin in the genital area is very delicate and contains a large number of sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles. She can easily react to the following stimuli:

Poor hygiene. Before washing, wash your hands and pat your skin dry (do not wipe!) with an individual soft towel. We know such young ladies who have one towel for the face and for the priest, and after that we advise them not to be surprised that a pimple has jumped up on the lip or in an intimate place.
Tight clothing. Friction leads to microcracks in the skin, through which microorganisms penetrate. This contributes to the fact that the girl may soon have a pimple in an intimate place.
Hair removal. Many women note that most often acne in an intimate place is formed in them after shaving. And any type of hair removal - laser, wax strips, mechanical epilators, electrolysis - can cause microcracks and ingrown hairs, which causes a rash and acne.
Allergic reaction. Synthetic underwear, sanitary pads, wet wipes, condoms, lubricants, creams can cause redness and rashes due to individual intolerance. If a pimple has come out in an intimate place, you need to review all these remedies and, if possible, replace them with more neutral ones, without fragrances and fragrances.

Itching in the perineum caused by various agents leads to microtrauma and infection. Therefore, listen to your feelings, notice the rash in time, and if you feel discomfort in the genital area, be sure to consult a doctor.

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