Skin redness on arms

Skin Redness: Causes, Photos, and Treatments

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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Diaper rash

Rash located on areas that have contact with a diaper
Skin looks red, wet, and irritated
Warm to the touch

Read full article on diaper rash.

First-degree burn

The mildest form of burn injury, it affects only the first layer of the skin.
Painful, dry, red area turns white with pressure.
Skin may peel, but ther is no blistering.
Pain and redness will subside after a few days.

Read full article on first-degree burns.

Allergic eczema

May resemble a burn
Often found on hands and forearms
Skin is itchy, red, scaly, or raw
Blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty

Read full article on allergic eczema.

Rosacea

Chronic skin disease that goes through cycles of fading and relapse
Relapses may be triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress, and the intestinal bacteria Helicobacter pylori
There are four subtypes of rosacea encompassing a wide variety of symptoms
Common symptoms include facial flushing, raised, red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness, and skin sensitivity

Read full article on rosacea.

Burns

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Burn severity is classified by both depth and size
First-degree burns: minor swelling and dry, red, tender skin that turns white when pressure is applied
Second-degree burns: very painful, clear, weeping blisters and skin that appears red or has variable, patchy coloration
Third-degree burns: white or dark brown/tan in color, with leathery appearance and low or no sensitivity to touch

Read full article on burns.

Contact dermatitis

Appears hours to days after contact with an allergen
Rash has visible borders and appears where your skin touched the irritating substance
Skin is itchy, red, scaly, or raw
Blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty

Read full article on contact dermatitis.

Chemical burn

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

This occurs when your skin, mucous membranes, or eyes come into contact with a chemical irritant, such as a strong acid or a base.
The concentration of the chemical, duration of contact, and method of contact will determine severity of symptoms and urgency of treatment.
First aid treatments for chemical burns include removing the chemical that caused the burn (including removing any clothing or jewelry that has touched the chemical) and rinsing the skin under lukewarm, slow, running water for 10 to 20 minutes (and at least 20 minutes for chemical eye injuries).

Read full article on chemical burns.

Drug allergy

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Mild, itchy, red rash may occur days to weeks after taking a drug
Severe drug allergies can be life-threatening and symptoms include hives, racing heart, swelling, itching, and difficulty breathing
Other symptoms include fever, stomach upset, and tiny purple or red dots on the skin

Read full article on drug allergies.

Cellulitis

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Caused by bacteria or fungi entering through a crack or cut in the skin
Red, painful, swollen skin with or without oozing that spreads quickly
Hot and tender to the touch
Fever, chills, and red streaking from the rash might be a sign of serious infection requiring medical attention

Read full article on cellulitis.

Scarlet fever

Occurs at the same time as or right after a strep throat infection
Red skin rash all over the body (but not the hands and feet)
Rash is made up of tiny bumps that make it feel like “sandpaper”
Bright red tongue

Read full article on scarlet fever.

Angioedema

This is a form of severe swelling beneath the skin’s surface.
It may be accompanied by hives and itching.
It’s caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen like food or medication.
Additional symptoms may include stomach cramping and discolored patches or rash on the hands, arms, and feet.

Read full article on angioedema.

Thrombophlebitis

This inflammation of a superficial vein is caused by a blood clot.
It typically occurs in the legs.
Symptoms include tenderness, warmth, redness, and visible engorgement along the vein.

Read full article on thrombophlebitis.

Bone infection

A bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, occurs when bacteria or fungi invade a bone.
Bones may get infected by migration of a bacteria or fungus infecting surrounding tissues or the blood stream, or by penetrating injury or surgery that exposes the bone.
Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the infected body part.
Fever and chills may also occur.

Read full article on bone infection.

Osteosarcoma

This bone cancer typically develops in the shinbone (tibia) near the knee, the thighbone (femur) near the knee, or the upper arm bone (humerus) near the shoulder.
It’s the most common type of bone cancer in children.
Common signs include bone pain (in motion, at rest, or when lifting objects), bone fractures, swelling, redness, and limping.

Read full article on osteosarcoma.

Sunburn

Superficial burn on the outermost layer of skin
Redness, pain, and swelling
Dry, peeling skin
More severe, blistering burns may occur after extended periods of sun exposure

Read full article on sunburns.

Skin infection

A skin infection is caused by a wide variety of infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, viruses. and parasites.
Common symptoms include redness of the skin, tenderness, itching, and a rash.
See a doctor if you have fever, chills, pus-filled blisters, skin breakdown, severe pain, or a skin infection that doesn’t improve or gets progressively worse.

Read full article on skin infections.

Bites and stings

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Redness or swelling at the site of the bite or sting
Itching and soreness at the site of the bite
Pain in the affected area or in the muscles
Heat around the bite or sting

Read full article on bites and stings.

Heat rash

This irritating skin rash occurs due to a combination of heat, sweat, and friction.
It’s caused by blockage of the sweat glands.
Heat rash develops on body parts that rub together, such as between the inner thighs or under the arms.
Small clear or white bumps filled with fluid appear on the surface of the skin.
Itchy, hot or prickly red bumps on the skin are another symptom.

Read full article on heat rash.

Psoriasis

Scaly, silvery, sharply defined skin patches
Commonly located on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back
May be itchy or asymptomatic

Read full article on psoriasis.

Ringworm

Circular-shaped scaly rashes with raised border
Skin in the middle of the ring appears clear and healthy, and the edges of the ring may spread outward
Itchy

Read full article on ringworm.

Shingles

Very painful rash that may burn, tingle, or itch, even if there are no blisters present
Rash comprising clusters of fluid-filled blisters that break easily and weep fluid
Rash emerges in a linear stripe pattern that appears most commonly on the torso, but may occur on other parts of the body, including the face
Rash may be accompanied by low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue

Read full article on shingles.

The main symptom associated with skin redness is varying colors of redness on the skin. The redness can occur on different portions of the body. Here are some examples of symptoms that you may have along with red skin:

blistering
bumps
burning
flushing
hives
itching
rash
warmth in your skin
sores
swelling

Causes of skin redness vary drastically and can include irritants, the sun, and insect bites. Examples of skin conditions associated with skin redness include:

bites
cellulitis
contact dermatitis
diaper rash
eczema
allergic eczema
heat rash
medication allergy
psoriasis
ringworm
rosacea
scarlet fever
shingles
skin burns
skin infections
sunburns
lymph node inflammation
first-degree burns
chemical burns
angioedema
thromboplebitis
bone infection
osteosarcoma

Skin redness can be a temporary, or acute, condition. It can also be a chronic condition that constantly reappears.

You should get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms associated with skin redness:

a burn that’s twice the size of your palm
difficulty breathing
extreme pain
loss of consciousness
redness near or on your eyes that is affecting your vision

You should also get medical attention if you have an animal bite, even if you’ve had a tetanus shot.

See a healthcare provider or dermatologist for other symptoms that aren’t considered a medical emergency. If you don’t already have a dermatologist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your healthcare provider will examine your skin redness. If your symptoms come and go, they’ll listen to your description of them. They’ll ask you a few questions. These could include:

What activities were you engaging in before you noticed the skin redness?
Are you taking any new medications or using any new skin care or cleaning products?
Do you have a family history of any skin conditions?
Have you experienced this skin redness before?
Were you around others who may have a similar rash?

These and other questions can help your healthcare provider figure out what may have caused your skin redness.

Additional testing may include taking a skin sample or biopsy of the affected area, or allergy testing to determine if your skin reacts to certain irritants.

Ask your healthcare provider if your skin condition may be contagious and what steps you can take to prevent its spread. This can ensure that you don’t pass on the skin redness to someone else.

Treatments for skin redness depend on what’s causing it. Examples can include avoiding the irritant or allergen that caused your skin redness in the first place.

Other treatments for skin redness include:

cleansing the affected area with soap and water
taking medications like antihistamines to minimize irritation
applying topical skin care treatments like calamine lotion to reduce skin redness

Keeping the affected area clean and dry can usually help reduce skin redness. If an infection is the cause of your skin redness, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the infection’s symptoms.

Skin Redness: Causes, Photos, and Treatments

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Diaper rash

Rash located on areas that have contact with a diaper
Skin looks red, wet, and irritated
Warm to the touch

Read full article on diaper rash.

First-degree burn

The mildest form of burn injury, it affects only the first layer of the skin.
Painful, dry, red area turns white with pressure.
Skin may peel, but ther is no blistering.
Pain and redness will subside after a few days.

Read full article on first-degree burns.

Allergic eczema

May resemble a burn
Often found on hands and forearms
Skin is itchy, red, scaly, or raw
Blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty

Read full article on allergic eczema.

Rosacea

Chronic skin disease that goes through cycles of fading and relapse
Relapses may be triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress, and the intestinal bacteria Helicobacter pylori
There are four subtypes of rosacea encompassing a wide variety of symptoms
Common symptoms include facial flushing, raised, red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness, and skin sensitivity

Read full article on rosacea.

Burns

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Burn severity is classified by both depth and size
First-degree burns: minor swelling and dry, red, tender skin that turns white when pressure is applied
Second-degree burns: very painful, clear, weeping blisters and skin that appears red or has variable, patchy coloration
Third-degree burns: white or dark brown/tan in color, with leathery appearance and low or no sensitivity to touch

Read full article on burns.

Contact dermatitis

Appears hours to days after contact with an allergen
Rash has visible borders and appears where your skin touched the irritating substance
Skin is itchy, red, scaly, or raw
Blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty

Read full article on contact dermatitis.

Chemical burn

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

This occurs when your skin, mucous membranes, or eyes come into contact with a chemical irritant, such as a strong acid or a base.
The concentration of the chemical, duration of contact, and method of contact will determine severity of symptoms and urgency of treatment.
First aid treatments for chemical burns include removing the chemical that caused the burn (including removing any clothing or jewelry that has touched the chemical) and rinsing the skin under lukewarm, slow, running water for 10 to 20 minutes (and at least 20 minutes for chemical eye injuries).

Read full article on chemical burns.

Drug allergy

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Mild, itchy, red rash may occur days to weeks after taking a drug
Severe drug allergies can be life-threatening and symptoms include hives, racing heart, swelling, itching, and difficulty breathing
Other symptoms include fever, stomach upset, and tiny purple or red dots on the skin

Read full article on drug allergies.

Cellulitis

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Caused by bacteria or fungi entering through a crack or cut in the skin
Red, painful, swollen skin with or without oozing that spreads quickly
Hot and tender to the touch
Fever, chills, and red streaking from the rash might be a sign of serious infection requiring medical attention

Read full article on cellulitis.

Scarlet fever

Occurs at the same time as or right after a strep throat infection
Red skin rash all over the body (but not the hands and feet)
Rash is made up of tiny bumps that make it feel like “sandpaper”
Bright red tongue

Read full article on scarlet fever.

Angioedema

This is a form of severe swelling beneath the skin’s surface.
It may be accompanied by hives and itching.
It’s caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen like food or medication.
Additional symptoms may include stomach cramping and discolored patches or rash on the hands, arms, and feet.

Read full article on angioedema.

Thrombophlebitis

This inflammation of a superficial vein is caused by a blood clot.
It typically occurs in the legs.
Symptoms include tenderness, warmth, redness, and visible engorgement along the vein.

Read full article on thrombophlebitis.

Bone infection

A bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, occurs when bacteria or fungi invade a bone.
Bones may get infected by migration of a bacteria or fungus infecting surrounding tissues or the blood stream, or by penetrating injury or surgery that exposes the bone.
Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the infected body part.
Fever and chills may also occur.

Read full article on bone infection.

Osteosarcoma

This bone cancer typically develops in the shinbone (tibia) near the knee, the thighbone (femur) near the knee, or the upper arm bone (humerus) near the shoulder.
It’s the most common type of bone cancer in children.
Common signs include bone pain (in motion, at rest, or when lifting objects), bone fractures, swelling, redness, and limping.

Read full article on osteosarcoma.

Sunburn

Superficial burn on the outermost layer of skin
Redness, pain, and swelling
Dry, peeling skin
More severe, blistering burns may occur after extended periods of sun exposure

Read full article on sunburns.

Skin infection

A skin infection is caused by a wide variety of infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, viruses. and parasites.
Common symptoms include redness of the skin, tenderness, itching, and a rash.
See a doctor if you have fever, chills, pus-filled blisters, skin breakdown, severe pain, or a skin infection that doesn’t improve or gets progressively worse.

Read full article on skin infections.

Bites and stings

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Redness or swelling at the site of the bite or sting
Itching and soreness at the site of the bite
Pain in the affected area or in the muscles
Heat around the bite or sting

Read full article on bites and stings.

Heat rash

This irritating skin rash occurs due to a combination of heat, sweat, and friction.
It’s caused by blockage of the sweat glands.
Heat rash develops on body parts that rub together, such as between the inner thighs or under the arms.
Small clear or white bumps filled with fluid appear on the surface of the skin.
Itchy, hot or prickly red bumps on the skin are another symptom.

Read full article on heat rash.

Psoriasis

Scaly, silvery, sharply defined skin patches
Commonly located on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back
May be itchy or asymptomatic

Read full article on psoriasis.

Ringworm

Circular-shaped scaly rashes with raised border
Skin in the middle of the ring appears clear and healthy, and the edges of the ring may spread outward
Itchy

Read full article on ringworm.

Shingles

Very painful rash that may burn, tingle, or itch, even if there are no blisters present
Rash comprising clusters of fluid-filled blisters that break easily and weep fluid
Rash emerges in a linear stripe pattern that appears most commonly on the torso, but may occur on other parts of the body, including the face
Rash may be accompanied by low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue

Read full article on shingles.

blistering
bumps
burning
flushing
hives
itching
rash
warmth in your skin
sores
swelling

Causes of skin redness vary drastically and can include irritants, the sun, and insect bites. Examples of skin conditions associated with skin redness include:

bites
cellulitis
contact dermatitis
diaper rash
eczema
allergic eczema
heat rash
medication allergy
psoriasis
ringworm
rosacea
scarlet fever
shingles
skin burns
skin infections
sunburns
lymph node inflammation
first-degree burns
chemical burns
angioedema
thromboplebitis
bone infection
osteosarcoma

Skin redness can be a temporary, or acute, condition. It can also be a chronic condition that constantly reappears.

You should get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms associated with skin redness:

a burn that’s twice the size of your palm
difficulty breathing
extreme pain
loss of consciousness
redness near or on your eyes that is affecting your vision

You should also get medical attention if you have an animal bite, even if you’ve had a tetanus shot.

Your healthcare provider will examine your skin redness. If your symptoms come and go, they’ll listen to your description of them. They’ll ask you a few questions. These could include:

What activities were you engaging in before you noticed the skin redness?
Are you taking any new medications or using any new skin care or cleaning products?
Do you have a family history of any skin conditions?
Have you experienced this skin redness before?
Were you around others who may have a similar rash?

These and other questions can help your healthcare provider figure out what may have caused your skin redness.

Additional testing may include taking a skin sample or biopsy of the affected area, or allergy testing to determine if your skin reacts to certain irritants.

Ask your healthcare provider if your skin condition may be contagious and what steps you can take to prevent its spread. This can ensure that you don’t pass on the skin redness to someone else.

Treatments for skin redness depend on what’s causing it. Examples can include avoiding the irritant or allergen that caused your skin redness in the first place.

Other treatments for skin redness include:

cleansing the affected area with soap and water
taking medications like antihistamines to minimize irritation
applying topical skin care treatments like calamine lotion to reduce skin redness

Peeling skin on the hands: causes, diagnosis, complex treatment

August 16, 2021

Peeling on the hands is a signal that the skin is not sufficiently hydrated. In diagnostics, such a sign is called "xerosis". The causes of dryness and flaking of the skin of the hands are not always pathological. Often this only means that you need to change your daily habits. If the discomfort does not go away for a long time, the symptoms increase, you need to contact a dermatologist for an examination.

Causes of peeling of the skin of the hands

All causes of dryness and discomfort can be divided into domestic and pathological. With household, it helps to restore the lipid balance of the skin with the help of moisturizing creams, nourishing hand masks and other cosmetic products. If the cause is pathological, treatment in the complex will be required.

Household

Causes of violation of the hydrolipid balance and peeling of the skin on the palms, fingers: nine0006

intense solar radiation - UV rays can destroy collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the skin;
hard water, aggressive alkaline pH soaps - surfactants destroy the lipid membrane of the skin;
dry air - those with sensitive skin suffer from dryness and flaking during the heating season without a humidifier;
hot baths - prolonged bathing destroys the secretion of the sebaceous glands.

Antiseptics, sanitizers with an alcohol content of 60% or more also affect the condition of the skin of the hands. At a lower concentration, they are ineffective, but such an ethanol content destroys the lipid protective layer of the epidermis. Regular use of an antiseptic provokes peeling, redness, tightness and discomfort. nine0006

It is enough to choose soap with neutral pH, natural nourishing cream and normalize the microclimate to get rid of discomfort. And to protect against bacteria - pick up an antiseptic with panthenol, plant extracts and essential oils.

Pathological

In dermatology, dryness and redness of the hands is a symptom of many skin diseases, but it can also indicate disorders of other body systems:

atopic dermatitis - inflammatory-allergic lesion; nine0022
ichthyosis - dermatosis with a violation of the process of keratinization;
psoriasis - autoimmune non-communicable disease;
follicular keratosis, "goosebumps" - affects the outer side of the palm with hair follicles.

Peeling of the hands can accompany diseases of the thyroid gland, gastrointestinal tract. A separate category is the psychosomatics of redness and itching of the skin of the hands. Therefore, differential diagnosis is carried out only by a qualified, experienced doctor who is able to correctly interpret the signals of the body. nine0006

Contact a specialist if the problem disrupts the usual rhythm of life, interferes with sleep, or the condition of the hands does not improve after taking minimal measures. It is especially important to get a consultation as soon as possible if the symptoms worsen, and dryness is accompanied by redness, the appearance of sores, inflammation, blisters.

Associated symptoms

Often, xerosis is a temporary phenomenon that worries you during the cold season. The intensity of the manifestation depends on the general condition of the body, age, and the presence of pathological causes. The fact that the condition is provoked by the disease can be indicated by additional symptoms: nine0006

redness that spreads to adjacent areas of the skin;
tightness, discomfort;
microcracks;
wrinkled, dehydrated skin;
itching worse;
the appearance of wounds, sores, which heal with difficulty;
roughening of the skin, thickening of the upper layer.

Depending on the pathogenesis of the disease, the dermatologist will prescribe a comprehensive treatment regimen with procedures and drugs. nine0006

Treatment of severe peeling of the hands

Common skin pathologies on the hands are treated with creams and ointments with a hormonal composition. The treatment regimen may include vitamins and antibiotics.

During the examination, the dermatologist will assess the condition of the skin, determine the cause and recommend additional measures that will alleviate the condition:

take less hot baths for a long time;
moisturize the skin of the hands with oils; nine0022
avoid soaps with aggressive pH;
use natural fabric towels.

General strengthening procedures contribute to a quick recovery. It is important to normalize the diet and the diet itself, increase the protective functions of the body and improve metabolism. This is facilitated by physical exercises, acupuncture, massages, hirudotherapy, the effectiveness of which has been proven in skin diseases.

August 16, 2021

Author of the article: dermatologist Mak Vladimir Fedorovich

ask a question make an appointment

causes, treatment, prevention — Allergika Ukraine

Possible causes of itchy skin:

There are many different causes that can cause skin itching. We will review the most common ones below.

Contact dermatitis

With contact dermatitis, the palms are more likely to itch. Contact dermatitis can be caused by any chemicals, plastics, or metals that a person touches or has direct contact with. Contact dermatitis is often observed in beauty salon workers, medical staff, as a reaction to the frequent use of latex gloves. nine0006

Contact dermatitis is accompanied not only by itching, but also by other symptoms, such as:

Eruptions: small to large red spots with peeling
Cracks and wounds
Irritation and redness

For the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, it is necessary to undergo skin tests - patch tests, which will help determine what the person is reacting to. The feasibility of conducting patch tests is considered at the appointment with an allergist or dermatologist. nine0006

Common triggers for contact dermatitis include:

fragrances and fragrances
metal jewelry, belts or watches
cobalt found in hair dyes or deodorants
some hand creams
household disinfectants and detergents
cosmetics, including decorative cosmetics

The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid the irritant. nine0006

Sometimes it can be very difficult, so there are several remedies that can help relieve itching from contact dermatitis.

Dyshidrotic eczema or dyshidrosis

A person with dyshidrotic eczema may notice tiny, itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the palms and fingers, and often also on the toes and feet. The condition is thought to be related to stress, substances that can irritate the skin, and seasonal allergies.

A person with dyshidrotic eczema may notice:

small, fluid-filled blisters on fingers
severe itching
skin soreness
redness and inflammation
peeling and cracking of the palms

People who are sensitive to allergies are more likely to develop dyshidrotic eczema. In women, dyshidrotic eczema occurs twice as often as in men.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by increased production of keratinocytes, which results in pink patches with scaly whitish plaques. Psoriasis most commonly affects the skin over the joints, the scalp, and the skin on the hands and nails. nine0006

In addition to itchy skin, a person with psoriasis may also notice:
Irritation and redness of the skin
White plaques, scaling and inflamed
Dry skin and cracks
Soreness in the area of rash

Scabies

Itching of the skin of the hands and fingers is one of the important symptoms of scabies, a skin disease caused by the scabies mite. Infection with scabies through contact with a sick person is the most common route of infection. But this can also happen when using dishes, towels and any objects that the patient has touched. Roughly speaking, you can get scabies even after a trip on public transport, if you grab the handrails immediately after an infected person.

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