Common Skin Rashes

Not usually serious, but sometimes painful Though not life-threatening, rashes are often bothersome, uncomfortable or even painful. Some, such as heat rash and swimmers' itch, clear up on their own. Others, including rosacea and drug rashes, require medical treatment. Here are common skin rashes, their causes and when you might need to see your doctor.

Atopic dermatitis
from sleeping.

Drug rash

Heat rash (miliaria)

Intertrigo

Lichen planus
Typically, this rash appears as rows of itchy, flat-topped bumps (lesions) on the armsand legs. It can also involve the scalp or the mucous membranes that line the mouth,nose, vagina and anus. In some cases, lichen planus results from an allergic reactionto a medication or from chronic hepatitis. But in most cases, doctors are unable toidentify a cause. Lichen planus occurs most often in middle-age and isn't usually serious. The rash can last months or even years and may reappear after it goes away. When present in the mouth, it's important to see your doctor to reduce your symptoms and to speed the healing of the lesions. Though rare, long-term lichen planus in the mouth can result in the development of skin cancer.

Psoriasis
With psoriasis, the life cycle of skin cells speeds up, resulting in a rapid buildup of rough, dead skin cells. These skin cells accumulate, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful. The inflammation which usually affects the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp tends to flare periodically and then subside for a time. Psoriasis almost always returns, however. Psoriasis may occur in combination with arthritis. For some people, this chronic condition is a mild nuisance. For others, it's totally disabling. Talk to your doctor if your skin condition moves beyond the nuisance stage and causes you discomfort and pain, if it makes performing routine tasks difficult, or if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) Despite its name, ringworm isn't caused by a worm but rather a fungus. It appears asitchy, red, scaly, slightly raised, expanding rings on the trunk of the body, face, groinor thigh fold. The ring grows outward as the infection spreads, and the center areabecomes less actively infected. Ringworm is contagious and spreads several ways,including from skin-to-skin contact or contact with a contaminated object such asunwashed clothing. It can also spread from animal to person. This infection may resolve without treatment within four weeks, but it usually requires a prescription medication to clear up. If you experience swelling, drainage, fever or excessive redness, see your doctor immediately.