Rashes on the skin can be upsetting to deal with, particularly if you’re unsure of the cause. If you notice any new rash that doesn’t resolve itself within a few days, it is vital to have it checked out by a doctor to ensure that there is no serious underlying issue at play. Even if there is no more serious condition causing the rash, talking to your doctor can be a great way to get advice and prescription medications to help clear up the rash.
If the cause of your rash is benign, it is vital to know how best to resolve it. This can be tricky to determine, and it may take some trial and error to find the products and lifestyle changes that can help the rash disappear. Rashes are never fun to deal with, so finding a solution quickly is often the first priority. Here we’ll look at some of the best ways to deal with a rash fast.
1. Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that typically occurs in people with fair skin. It can cause a rash and spots on the skin, most often on the face. There is no cure for rosacea, but the condition and rash can be managed and minimised using a combination of quality skincare products and lifestyle changes.
It can help to keep a diary of things that may trigger your rosacea, such as spicy foods, alcohol and stress. Once you’ve identified the triggers, you can take steps to avoid things that cause a flare-up. You can also use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin or rosacea-specific products to help keep your skin hydrated, clean and healthy.
2. Insect Bites
Rashes caused by insect bites can be itchy, painful and all-around unpleasant to deal with. The first thing you should do is ensure that there is no insect infestation in your home that could be the source of the bites. If you have pets, they should have regular de-flea treatments, and you should keep an eye out for signs of common biting insect infestations like bedbugs or ladybirds. If you’re concerned about an infestation, hiring a professional exterminator to check out your home is best.
You should keep an insect bite clean to prevent it from getting infected. You can also use over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Cold compresses can also be useful in preventing itching and bringing down swelling. Avoid scratching the bite, as this can cause further irritation and scarring.
3. Dry Skin
Dry skin is a common cause of rashes and one of the easiest to resolve quickly. Dry skin can arise in various ways, such as lack of hydration, cold weather, or excessive cleaning. The best place to start when alleviating dry skin is with hydration. You should drink plenty of water each day and avoid things like alcohol that can cause dehydration. You should also look for a quality moisturiser aimed at people with dry skin and use it every day. If you can’t find products that help your dry skin, you could ask your pharmacist for advice on the right moisturiser to use.
4. Allergies
Allergies are another very common cause of rashes. To treat this type of rash, you should first identify what the allergen is. If you aren’t able to figure this out on your own, going to your doctor for an allergy test can be invaluable. Once you’ve identified what you’re allergic to, you should take steps to avoid contact with this again.
Treating an allergy-based rash can be tricky, and it is often best to start with antihistamines. Depending on the severity of the allergy and rash, these can often be highly effective. You can also use topical creams and cold compresses to alleviate pain and swelling.
5. Shingles
Shingles is a painful condition that is caused by an underlying infection of a nerve beneath the skin. If you suspect you have shingles, you should talk to your doctor immediately to prevent the infection from worsening. They will be able to prescribe you anti-viral medications to tackle the underlying infection. They may also prescribe medication to help with the pain and reduce any swelling. You can find out more about the treatment and prevention of shingles from this excellent article by Patient.info.
6. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can result in scaley, flaking skin. It can be painful and unpleasant to deal with but is not usually cause for serious concern. If your psoriasis is particularly severe, your doctor may recommend you to a dermatologist to help get the best treatment.
You can care for psoriasis at home using emollients and, in some cases, steroid creams. It can take time for the symptoms of psoriasis to clear up, so the sooner you begin treating it and the more consistent you are with treatment, the better.
7. Eczema
Eczema is very common in babies and young children but can also impact older children and adults. Sometimes eczema will clear up on its own, but you may need help from your doctor if it is persistent or particularly severe. Treatments include steroid creams, antihistamines and moisturising lotions. It may also help to use bandages on the most affected areas to help them heal and prevent you from itching.
8. Heat
Heat rashes are a common and unpleasant side effect of getting too hot. This could be from prolonged time in a hot bath or shower, from sitting in the sun or from using hot water bottles and electric blankets. This rash is often exacerbated by sweating that naturally occurs in hot weather. You can combat this type of rash by taking warm or lukewarm showers and baths and by avoiding sitting in direct sunlight for too long, particularly in the height of summer. You should also wear light, breathable clothes and use cold compresses to soothe the area.
9. Impetigo
Impetigo is not usually serious but can be painful and upsetting to deal with. It is an infection of the skin which is highly contagious, so you should avoid contact with other people until the symptoms of impetigo are completely gone. It is most common in babies but can impact people of all ages. You should visit your doctor if you suspect you have impetigo, and they will be able to prescribe antibiotic creams to help resolve the infection.
10. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by tick bites and typically looks like a large red circle around the bite itself. It doesn’t always appear immediately after the bite and can even take upwards of three months to appear. You may also experience flu-like symptoms. You should seek medical advice from your doctor immediately if you think you have Lyme disease, and they will prescribe you antibiotics that will usually completely clear up the infection.
11. Scabies
Scabies causes a rash that can be intensely itchy, particularly at night. It can occur anywhere on the body except for the head and should be treated quickly to prevent it from spreading throughout the body. It is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be difficult to live with.
You can overcome scabies using medicated lotions that your pharmacist can recommend to you. This should be applied all over the body and may require repeat applications. You will also need to ensure that everyone in your home is treated for scabies, as it can be easily spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Skin rashes can seem difficult to get rid of, but there’s always an explanation and usually, the cure is pretty simple. Use these tips to find out about some of the most common causes of rashes and what you can do about them.
