Rashes are temporary red, spotty, inflamed or itchy areas on the skin and a sign of an underlying condition or cause. Rashes can be localised or cover large areas of the body but they are rarely an indicator of anything serious. Rashes can be caused by infection, allergic reaction, autoimmune disorder or nutritional vitamin deficiency. Certain cancers can cause rashes for example lymphocytic leukaemia.

Causes of rashes

A rash is a generic term for a temporary red, spotty or inflamed area of the skin. Rashes can be caused by any number of factors such as a viral infection, allergy, vitamin deficiency or disorder of the autoimmune system. Some rashes do not have any obvious cause (known as non-specific rash).

Rashes can vary in shape and size and appear anywhere on the body. A rash is sometimes referred to as dermatitis which is the medical term for skin irritation. Hives (known as urticaria) are a sign of an allergic reaction and appear as a red or pale swelling on the skin. Hives are triggered by a chemical called histamine which is the body's response mechanism to an allergen.

Other known causes of rashes include:

• Eczema – known medically as atopic dermatitis
• Irritant contact dermatitis – caused by contact with an irritant such as chemicals, detergents etc.
• Allergic contact dermatitis – caused by contact with an allergen such as rubber, dyes, metals etc.
• Meningitis – this is a serious bacterial infection
• Ringworm – a fungal infection
• Nappy rash – this can be caused by a yeast infection (candida)
• Insect bites
• Measles
• Chicken pox

In most cases, a rash is a temporary problem that eases after a few days. The spots of a rash can be any size and may be raised above the skin. Spots can be filled with fluid or pus.

Rashes that develop due to an allergic reaction can be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling or inflammation. This can be extremely dangerous if the mouth or throat is affected and you should seek medical attention immediately.

If the rash is caused by an infection, it may be accompanied by a sore throat, nausea or vomiting. Bacterial infections such as impetigo or meningitis can cause a rash. It is important to recognise the symptoms of meningitis as it is potentially a fatal condition.

A meningitis rash may start as small pin pricks on the skin that do not fade when pressed. A useful test is to take a glass and press it on the skin – if it does not fade (or blanch) then it may indicate a meningococcus infection. The rash can spread quickly and develop into larger blotches that also do not fade when pressed. The blotches can be red or dark purple in colour.

The majority of rashes do not require medical intervention and will clear within a day or so, sometimes never to return again. If the rash is caused by an allergen, any future problems can be prevented by identifying the allergen and removing it from your environment.

If you suspect a more serious underlying cause for your rash then visit your GP. If you suspect meningitis, seek emergency medical attention.

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*Source: GoToSee.co.uk

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