Poison ivy causes a rash that is due to a chemical that is present in the sap which is called urushiol. This chemical gets into the outer layer of the skin till it finally comes in contact with the dermis; it is here that the allergic reaction takes place. Urushiol causes swelling and itching as well. The rash may last for over a week at times and the symptoms normally don’t show up immediately. You may also even get a rash and reaction from poison ivy that is burning so be careful what plants you burn and check if your firewood is interspersed with it . Read the rest of this entry »

Herpes is a viral infection that is contagious. It is usually referred to as Herpes Simplex I or Herpes Simplex 2. While HSV 2 typically causes herpes outbreak symptoms in the genital area, , HSV I is best known for the cold sores on lip or fever blisters on the mouth. Currently, about 45 million Americans have been infected with the herpes virus, although not all of them are aware of it as many are asymptomatic. While many people that have the herpes virus have no symptoms at all, for those that do suffer an outbreak, the blisters are quite painful. Read the rest of this entry »

If you notice any type of skin irritation that has spread around the neck then it may rash. The next step is finding out the cause for rashes on the neck. There could be a number of reasons for this such as diseases or skin problems. Furthermore, this article will concentrate on common neck rashes. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve ever picked up your child from day care and noticed a rash on his arm, leg or back it can be a bit alarming., Many parents are nervous that their child will catch a cold, flu or bronchitis, but contagious rashes can be a real challenge especially if there is difficulty getting a correct diagnosis. Kids can pick things up at school and of course when there is scratching it can aggravate the rash and change it’s appearance. Read the rest of this entry »

How many times have we scratched our heads in puzzlement, wondering why does my scalp itch? You know it has nothing to do with the lack of hygiene. If anything, it would be due to excessive amount of washing, especially with our busy lifestyles requiring perhaps more showering than just a once-a-day shower. With excessive shampooing, comes the possibility of using harsh shampoos and conditioners that can cause the scalp to become excessively dry. In addition, these products can leave the hair follicles open to infection. Many of the shampoos and conditioners are made with chemicals that dry out skin, stripping it of its natural oils, thereby causing an itch, sore scalp. Without essential oils, our skin is left open to a number of infections and yeast organisms, which result in dandruff and a flaky scalp. Read the rest of this entry »

Of the many STDs that exist, a few, like Hepatitis C, leave no outward sign of infection. Others, like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, show outward signs by the presence of unusually colored discharge from the genital areas and can cause internal abdominal pain. However, many other STDs can be seen outwardly on the skin of the genitals or the body in the form of rashes or lesions. This article will show you how to identify different STD rashes so you can get the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Read the rest of this entry »

Rashes are a common occurrence for adults and children alike and can be caused by a variety of things. Most rashes are not dangerous but can be extremely irritating. Life-threatening skin rashes are rare but when they do occur, need to be identified and treated by a doctor as quickly as possible. Before I had my diagnosis of nummular eczema, the dermatologist told me it was erythema mutliforme minor but when I look it up online not to get scared because it wasn’t the fatal form! That was a bit scary. Read the rest of this entry »

Teething is an uncomfortable process for your child and can also result in many sleepless nights for you. On top of that, there’s an additional extra bonus which is dealing with a teething rash. Let’s look at both traditional ways to deal with this as well as natural approaches. Read the rest of this entry »

Many people who have children find themselves wishing that they came with an instruction manual, especially when said children aren’t feeling well. One of the most unnerving symptoms of illness can be a rash, particularly one that is contagious. While many contagious illnesses can cause rashes, three of the most common are measles, impetigo, and roseola. Read the rest of this entry »

Rashes from hotels are becoming more and more common as international travel from all over the world is an everyday event. Within the US, domestic fares are also reasonable which makes travel much more popular. However, if you are not careful, there is more than souvenirs that can be brought home with you if you are not observant. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you have a progressive reddening of your face that concerns you? Is it not going away, no matter what you do? You may notice some acne outbreaks and even red lines where there didn’t use to be any, and it’s all on your face. Some can look like red patches and other parts like a rash. What is rosacea and what are the underlying triggers? Read the rest of this entry »

The skin can get irritated and chafing is the term used that describes the result from rubbing, friction and skin contact resulting in inflammation due to factors that include heat and humidity issues. We rub the skin when it’s already under stress. This can also be due to chemicals that irritate. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are wondering “What is dermatographism?” , one clue is that lines, writing or drawing can appear on the skin. This is a form of chronic urticaria that causes people to be sensitive to touch, pressure, and scratching. When the skin is scratched it becomes a raised, red, itchy rash. People with true dermatographism have pressure as the only stimulator for their symptoms. Children who suffer from dermatographism are sometimes mistaken for victims of abuse if the welts linger. This is because a doctor, teacher, or aw enforcement agent might see the welts and think that they are the result of injuries inflicted by someone else.   Read the rest of this entry »

Itchy rashes are uncomfortable and unsightly. You can get them for a wide variety of reasons. Allergies, irritations, viruses, bacterial infection, fungus and more can all cause these red, bumpy, splotchy menaces to form on your skin. You can take steroids and calamine lotion to help heal them and relieve the discomfort, but these products have chemicals and people are trying to learn more about other remedies. Fortunately, there are natural means to try as well that have been used through the ages . Here are some of the top natural treatments for a rash. Read the rest of this entry »

Not everyone has read my blog from the beginning, but my interest and research in rashes began when I woke up one morning in June 2007 (out of town) with an itchy rash all over my upper legs, waist area and arms. Not only was it difficult due to being out of town , but my nephew’s graduation was that evening. The weekend was also packed with other family events including an all day sports play-off game two hours a way. What did I have, was it contagious and how was I going to get through the weekend? Read the rest of this entry »

Many people deal suffer with eczema which causes skin inflammation, dryness, and rashes that itch. They can also cause blisters and scales to form and bleeding to occur sometimes. In eczema photos, you’ll see lots of varieties. For instance, some pictures of dermatitis will have patches that could be red and look like rosacea. Others appear to be more like tiny pimples. Read the rest of this entry »

Fire ant bites occur when you are attacked by fire or “red” ants. Fire ants range from very tiny to about 1/5 inch. They have very strong mandibles that can tear and cut their victims skin. Fire ant get their name because their bites create a burning and stinging sensation on the skin. After you are bitten, the affected skin will swell with fluid. Fire ants will attack anything that they feel is a threat to them and their queen. In South Florida they can often be in the backyard and in dirt patches, so it’s good to wear shoes or sandals when relaxing outdoors. Read the rest of this entry »

Bug bites are aggravating. They cause an unsightly mark and they often itch. They can also carry several types of diseases and infections, causing them to be a bit frightening as well. Tick bites are common, but knowing the signs of a tick bite can help you to treat it properly as well as know about the dangers they can present. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever had a problem with cheap jewelry? Can’t wear it cause of a rash that comes about after taking them off? Even zippers are a problem. What’s worse is that the rash never starts right away so it’s hard to figure out just what caused it. A rash from metal is a common allergy with simple symptoms and treatment options. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many different types of pediatric rashes. If you’re a first time parent, this can especially be scary. At the first sign of a rash, your instincts will tell you to go to a doctor to find out exactly what kind of rash they have for proper diagnosis and medication. Read the rest of this entry »