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Rashes
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Skin Hair Nails

Rashes

A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin that can stem from various medical conditions, allergies, or environmental irritants.

Overview

A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Many rashes are itchy, red, painful, and irritated, while some can lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. Rashes are a symptom of many different medical problems, though other causes include irritating substances and allergies. Additionally, certain genes can make people more likely to develop rashes.

Types and Development

Contact dermatitis is a common type of rash that causes redness, itching, and sometimes small bumps. This occurs when you touch an irritant, such as a chemical, or something you are allergic to, like poison ivy.

Some rashes develop immediately, while others form over several days. Although most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long-lasting and require long-term treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Because rashes can be caused by many different things, it is important to identify the specific type before beginning treatment. You should see your health care provider if the rash is severe, does not go away, or if you experience other symptoms.

Treatments may include:

  • Moisturizers and lotions
  • Baths
  • Cortisone creams to relieve swelling
  • Antihistamines to relieve itching

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact dermatitis typically occurs at the precise site of exposure to an irritant or allergen, appearing as red, intensely itchy, localized patches, bumps, or weeping blisters. Viral rashes are usually widespread and symmetrical across the body, often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, or body aches.
Hydrocortisone should be used on the face with extreme caution and ideally under medical supervision. Prolonged use on thin facial skin can cause permanent skin thinning, broken blood vessels, and perioral dermatitis. It can also worsen fungal infections (such as ringworm) or inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea.
Seek immediate emergency care if a rash is accompanied by difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, a high fever, sudden spreading of purple or bruised-looking spots that do not pale when pressed, extensive skin blistering, or skin sloughing off, which can signal life-threatening conditions like severe anaphylaxis, meningococcemia, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Take short, lukewarm baths or showers, use mild fragrance-free cleansers, and gently pat the skin dry instead of rubbing. Apply plain petrolatum or thick, unscented ceramide moisturizers to seal in hydration. Avoid scratching, which risks secondary bacterial infections, and apply cool, damp compresses to relieve itching.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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