Itching to Know: When to Seek Medical Attention for a Rash

Rashes are rarely life-threatening, but their symptoms—itching, redness, swelling, and more—can turn life upside down. While you might be able to soothe irritated skin at home, sometimes it’s important to seek medical attention for a rash.

Common Types of Itchy Rashes

A rash occurs when inflammation affects an area of skin. Also known as dermatitis, a skin rash can have many causes, from a medical condition to an irritant or allergen you came in contact with. Common types of rashes include:

• Allergic contact dermatitis—an allergic reaction to something that touches your skin, such as an insect bite, nickel, or poison ivy
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)—a long-lasting skin condition in which symptoms, including itching and redness, typically alternate between flares and periods of calm
• Irritant contact dermatitis—a nonallergic rash from an irritating substance, such as certain chemicals, detergents, soaps, cosmetics, or lotions
  
  

Home Care for Itchy Skin

Not every rash needs medical attention. You may be able to soothe your symptoms using items you have at home or can find at your local pharmacy.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends cooling the affected area with an ice pack, taking an oatmeal bath, or moisturizing your skin. You can also cool the itchy rash with menthol (do not use near eyes) or calamine. Keep symptoms from worsening by wearing loose-fitting clothes, keeping your home cool, and avoiding products that could irritate your skin, such as scented soaps.

How to Tell When a Rash Needs Medical Attention

Some rashes don’t respond to home care or clear up on their own. See a medical provider if your symptoms don’t improve or the rash is painful or affects a large portion of your body—or if the rash is on sensitive areas, such as your eyes or mouth.

You should also seek medical attention if the rash spreads quickly or causes blisters or sores, which could allow bacteria to enter and cause infection. Keep an eye out for signs of infection, including pus and warmth around the affected area.

Another reason to seek medical care for a rash: non-skin-related symptoms that appear at the same time. If, for example, you develop shortness of breath or swelling in your lip, tongue or eye, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Rash Relief: How to Help a Rash

Determining what type of rash you have and what caused it will allow your medical provider to prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

If you have an allergy-related rash, for example, an oral antihistamine may help control itching. On the other hand, for eczema, an immunosuppressant may reduce inflammation by lowering your immune system’s activity. Medical providers also frequently recommend prescribed topical creams of varying potencies for rashes to help calm inflammation.

Connect with us!