Itchy rash

A itchy rash is not only a frequent and very annoying companion on the body in the summer months. But with the right treatment, you can get rid of it quickly and effectively prevent it from coming back.

What is itchy rash?

Itchy rash is by definition a rash on the skin that itches, itches, and is bothersome. The experts refer to a rash as dermatitis or eczema.

Itchy rash is by definition a rash on the skin that itches, itches, and bothers. Experts refer to a rash as dermatitis or eczema, both terms describing the same manifestation.

However, there are many forms and if a rash occurs chronically, a specialist should be consulted. The impact is characterized by a mostly reddened area on the skin. The skin usually looks dry or slightly wet when you feel it and every touch leaves an itchy feeling. A distinction is made in the course between primary and secondary fluorescences.

The former can be vesicles, wheals, pustules, etc. and are part of the normal course. Secondary efflorescences, on the other hand, arise in the end stage of the course and are either a sign of scarring of the skin or a sign of skin penetration by the patient and the subsequent delayed healing.

causes

An itchy rash can have many causes and is usually not that tragic. The obvious symptoms are rarely caused by a more serious illness, but it is advisable to consult a knowledgeable doctor immediately in the event of a rash in order to minimize the risks.

Serious diseases that are behind a rash can include: shingles, syphilis, measles, rubella and chickenpox. However, many other moderate to severe illnesses can also lead to a rash on the skin. In most cases, however, an allergy or intolerance to certain substances comes into consideration. Here, too, a visit to the doctor is recommended, because this way, for example, a drug intolerance can be detected at an early stage and taken into account accordingly in subsequent treatments.

A disease called neurodermatitis is less common. Anyone who suffers from consistently dry skin and can often or very often notice rashes in certain areas is probably suffering from this disease. Here, the damage to the skin should definitely be treated properly in order to minimize consequential damage.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for rash and eczema

Diseases with this symptom

• eczema
• Shingles
• allergy
• Genital herpes

• syphilis
• measles
• Eczema
• scabies

• rubella
• chickenpox
• psoriasis
• Hives

Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis of itchy skin rashes should only be carried out superficially on your own. More important is a professional opinion and assessment by the specialist.

This enables him to determine the exact clinical picture and recommend a suitable therapy. The course is different and can also vary in a common form. For example, smallpox pustules can come back once or twice even though the actual illness has long since subsided.

A regulated course is often difficult to determine, especially in the case of more complex clinical pictures, but the healing and scarring phase begins immediately after the inflammation phase. Both can vary in length, depending on the type of treatment and how you deal with the rash.

Complications

An itchy rash can cause various complications, depending on the underlying disease. Typical disease that causes an itchy rash is, for example, chickenpox. When treated in childhood, the disease heals relatively quickly without complications. However, the resulting vesicles can be scratched open and become infected with bacteria.

Other dreaded complications are inflammation of the cerebrum (encephalitis). This can trigger seizures that lead to unconsciousness and in the worst case to death. A mother suffering from chickenpox can also become infected for a fetus and lead to corresponding complications. It can lead to malformations and [[growth disorders in children growth disorders].

Chickenpox can return at any time in adults as shingles (varicella zoster) and also cause complications such as meningitis or cranial nerve paralysis. Rubella also causes an itchy rash. However, complications rarely occur in adults. Mainly, these affect pregnant women who can transmit the virus to the fetus.

This leads to rubella embryopathy, which is mainly characterized by heart defects, deafness and a cataract. Scarlet fever also has a variety of complications, but these are quite rare. The bacterium can release dangerous toxins into the bloodstream, causing shock symptoms (streptococcal toxic shock syndrome).

Further complications can arise when antibodies generated by the immune system against the scarlet pathogen attack tissue in the body. Despite healing of the disease, it can lead to rheumatic fever and kidney inflammation.

When should you go to the doctor?

A doctor should be consulted if permanent and severe skin reactions occur, if the skin is very itchy, swollen or painful, or if the itchy rash is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, pain, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.

In addition, sufferers should see a doctor if the rash symptoms appear very suddenly and violently, the symptoms develop slowly over a long period of time and continue to spread, or sufferers do not know the cause of the itchy rash.

If the rash does not go away on its own within a few days or if the symptoms do not go away despite the start of therapy, a doctor should also be consulted. A doctor's visit is also recommended if the symptoms of the itchy rash change significantly or if the rash comes on in flares.

Reddened patches of skin can indicate bleeding. Pus may form and ulcers may appear. Even with these symptoms, a doctor is the right contact. If there is any suspicion of a contagious infectious disease, sexually transmitted diseases, fungal or parasite infestation of the skin, a doctor should be visited.

A pediatrician should be consulted, especially if infants or young children experience an itchy rash. If the itchy rash occurs during or after a trip to the tropics, a visit to a doctor is recommended.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Like the diagnosis, treatment should only be carried out on the advice of a specialist doctor. It is essential to adhere to the treatment plan, as otherwise no successful treatment can be guaranteed.

Treatment with ointments and antibiotics are common, depending on the type of illness. Both have anti-inflammatory effects and in many cases the ointments provide the affected areas with the much-needed moisture. Diseases such as neurodermatitis or fungal infections often require a lengthy and long-term therapy plan in order to be cured successfully.

Even with allergic reactions, there can be a significant and necessary change in lifestyle as part of the treatment plan. For example, certain drugs or foods can no longer be used and consumed and must be taken into account accordingly in future treatments. Rashes are also often the result of poor hygiene. Certain substances in the soap or detergent can cause allergic reactions.

Outlook & forecast

If you have an itchy rash, the prognoses depend on how severe the rash is and which parts of the body are affected. As a rule, a rash does not need to be treated directly by a doctor and will go away on its own as it is temporary.

If there is no treatment for a rash, it can worsen, spread over a larger region of the body or go away on its own. Whether the rash will go away on its own depends on what caused it.

Often an allergy to a specific food or ingredient is the cause of the rash. If the supply of this ingredient is stopped, the rash disappears again.

In some cases, the rash has other causes and will not go away on its own. A doctor should be consulted to treat the symptom. The treatment takes place either with creams or with tablets. An itchy rash on the skin often causes the affected person to scratch their skin. This can result in wounds that remain after the illness.

In most cases, the disease has a positive outcome, so the rash can be cleared up either with or without treatment.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for rash and eczema

prevention

Home remedies ↵ for rash There are always a number of possible measures to prevent the itchy rash in the future as effectively as possible. Depending on the cause, it is of course advisable to complete your own hygiene and to use pollutant-free soaps, greasy creams and non-irritating detergents to clean your clothes.

Organic detergents are particularly recommended here because they are largely produced and sold without hazardous substances. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help prevent the rash from coming back and remain an annoying memory.

Smoking and the excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee and drugs are also common causes of recurring and itchy rashes and should therefore not even be started in the best of cases.

You can do that yourself

Methods for helping yourself with an itchy rash depend a lot on its cause. In many cases, the rash is caused by an intolerance to a food or an allergic reaction to a certain ingredient. No treatment is necessary in these cases. The rash will go away on its own after the body has completely broken down the ingredient. This can last for several days.

If the rash occurs after using a cream or ointment, these care products should no longer be used. To soothe the rash, gentle moisturizers can be used, which will add moisture to the rash and help it heal faster. In no case should the patient scratch the rash. This can cause unpleasant injuries and wounds. As a rule, the itching only increases if the area is scratched.

If the rash occurs after being bitten by an insect, a doctor should be consulted. It is often just a harmless rash, but information should be obtained here. In the case of dangerous insect bites, the rash can also be treated with antibiotics. If the itchy rash occurs as a result of poor hygiene, the patient must wash more often and be generally clean.