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.

First of all, remember that if you are having an allergic reaction to certain foods, you may get a rash and also you may experience facial swelling and your throat feeling constricted. This is the time to go to an emergency room or take other measures that your doctor has instructed. Certain allergic responses create serious respiratory consequences so be aware of this. Whether it’s a bee sting, shellfish or another situation that can affect your air passages, this is critical. I’m going to go into a lot of detail and write a long post, so bear with me here.

There are a few basic types of life-threatening skin rashes including pemphigus vulgaris (PV), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS) and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). These rashes may affect bone and mucous glands and need to be treated immediately because of the damage they are able to cause the mucous membrane. Rashes may be deadly if they are not given sufficient and accurate medical attention. These rashes may be recognized by a dermatologist but definitive diagnosis requires examination of a skin biopsy by a dermatopathologist.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare group of blistering autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. It occurs when antibodies attack Desmoglein 3, a protein found in the human body. Sores often originate in the mouth, making eating difficult and uncomfortable. Although pemphigus vulgaris may occur at any age, it is most common among people between the ages of 40 and 60.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are severe skin reactions, with more than 90% of cases involving mucosal surfaces (surfaces of the mucus membranes.) The skin lesions of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are predominately central, consisting of blisters that arise on the skin and involve two or more mucosal surfaces. When the dermatologist thought I had erythema multiforme minor he told me that it is rare but some people get Stevens-Johnson syndrome who have this. It turns out though that the next dermatologist said I had nummular eczema and I believe that was correct, despite the fact that I had also taken an antibiotic a week earlier which may have been a trigger for my rash. SJS is a drug reaction and usually requires hospitalization.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) causes detachment within the epidermal layer. The disease presents the widespread formation of fluid filled blisters that are easily ruptured. A related strain effects newborns and is the most severe form of SSSS with similar signs and symptoms (Ritter’s Disease.) Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a very rare but potentially fatal illness caused by bacterial toxins. Different bacterial toxins may cause toxic shock syndrome, depending on the situation. TSS can occur via the skin through cuts, surgery, burns, the vagina by prolonged tampon exposure, or the pharynx which is the tube or cavity, with its surrounding membrane and muscles, which connects the mouth and nasal passages with the esophagus.

It is also important to remember that rashes on the skin may be a symptom of a variety of illnesses or simply a skin irritation caused by allergies (food, perfume, soap, ect.) Some rashes can last a while and it is easy to freak out. A dermatologist can tell you some warning signs to be aware of. Do not dismiss a persistent, unexplained rash as nothing, but don’t get unnecessary alarmed. Many rashes last a while and get better over time. Some rashes are chronic with periods of relapsing. It is not unreasonable to treat symptoms like itchy and/or dry skin for a few days to see whether the condition gets better on its own.

Some non-prescription rash aids include:

Anti-itch creams containing camphor, menthol, pramoxine (Itch-X), or diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlortrimeton, or loratadine (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert) are useful for sleep for problems like scabbies, atopic eczema and hives.

Unscented moisturizing lotions and those that are fragrance-free lotions.

Supplements that are used for skin repair include flax seed oil, a good multi-vitamin, applying natural oils to the skin, oatmeal baths, vitamin C to combat inflammation, stress b-vitamin supplements and getting daily minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Always remember not to assume that your rash is life-threatening even if your symptoms match those mentioned above but see a doctor if the rash is persistent against over-the-counter remedies and/or gets progressively worse over a short period of time.