Red rash on the body can occur in infants, adolescents, and adults. The causes of skin rashes can be various factors: from allergic manifestations to serious pathological processes in the body.
What is a rash?
The skin is the largest organ, which is a kind of indicator that signals the appearance of various pathologies. At the same time, the skin is the habitat of a huge number of a wide variety of bacteria and microorganisms, including pathogens, which can also provoke the appearance of various rashes. Depending on the nature of the formation, red spots and a rash on the body can cover large areas of the skin or localize in one specific place.
Typically, these phenomena occur on the hands, feet and face. However, very often, rashes affect the entire body completely, including areas with hairline. Moreover, they differ in the rate of formation, structure, and color. The appearance of a rash on the body can be accompanied by itching, pain and burning, but sometimes it brings only cosmetic discomfort, not manifesting itself anymore.
Varieties of red rash on the body
Photos of skin rashes of various etiologies are striking in their diversity. It can be:
- red or brown spots that are on the same level with the skin;
- formations resembling nodules without internal fluid (papules);
- bubbles filled with fluid (vesicles and bullae);
- blisters filled with purulent contents;
- dense and rough blisters;
- erosion and sores that violate the integrity of the skin, different in size and depth of the lesion;
- crusts and scabs formed at the site of any manifestation of a rash.
To determine the cause of the appearance of a red rash on the body in a child or adult and prescribe the appropriate treatment, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Causes of rashes
The appearance of rashes on the body can be associated with the appearance of infectious and non-infectious processes, as well as pathologies that primarily affect the skin. Other factors causing the appearance of a rash on the body can be nerve stress and stress.
Based on the localization and appearance of skin rashes, one can make assumptions about the nature of the lesion and find out its root cause. During pregnancy, in connection with the restructuring of the hormonal background, some skin rashes may also appear in the body.
Infectious rash in adults
Tinea versicolor is a disease characterized by the appearance of transparent vesicles up to 5 millimeters in diameter located in the abdomen, lower back, chest, shoulders or neck. The clinical manifestations of this disease are accompanied by pain in the affected area of the skin.
A similar red rash on the body arises in the form of single vesicles, which after a while pass by themselves, and yellow scabies appear in their place.
Small, itchy vesicles, bullae, and papules on the wrists, between the fingers, on the feet and stomach can be a sign of scabies.
Pink lichen appears in the form of a pink scaly spot of oblong shape on the back or chest of the diseased. After some time, such lesions appear in other parts of the body, while separate bubbles filled with fluid may occur.
A red rash on the body of an adult or child, which is small transparent, watery vesicles that appear on the mucous membranes (usually on the lips) and on the face, can indicate herpes. Bubbles are close to each other, so from afar it may seem that this is one big sore. However, a closer look shows that this is a lot of small vesicles resembling a sphere. After a few days, they darken and dry out, leaving behind dark brown or yellowish crusts.
A red rash on the body with syphilis occurs unexpectedly. On examination, it resembles symmetrical pimples localized on the outside of the forearms, under the chest, in the groin and between the buttocks.
Chickenpox
Chicken pox is an extremely contagious disease, accompanied by characteristic vesicular rashes. The rash appears throughout the body, including the scalp and mucous membranes, often affecting the feet and hands. Most often, the disease occurs in children, in adults it is rare, but is accompanied by various complications.
The rash begins with a small pink or red spot that quickly transforms into a watery vesicle. After a few days, they burst and dry out, forming crusts. Thus, elements of a rash at different stages of development may be present on the body. Rashes last up to 10 days. The clinical picture of the disease: fever, red rash on the child’s body, fever, headache, severe itching.
Bursting vesicles, before drying out, turn into ulcers and sores. If they are not treated with a solution of brilliant green or potassium permanganate, acyclovir, or other means recommended by a doctor, then after healing, scars may remain on the skin.
Rubella
A small red rash on a child’s body can be a manifestation of an infectious disease such as rubella. At first, round or oval spots appear on the face, and then they spread throughout the body. At the same time, there is an increase in temperature and symptoms of pharyngitis. Such manifestations last from 2 to 4 (rarely up to 7) days, and then disappear without any signs. Basically, this disease appears in children and is not dangerous for them.
However, adults can catch the same infection. Rubella is particularly dangerous for pregnant women: the infection affects the fetus. Children whose mothers had rubella during pregnancy have congenital abnormalities.
Measles
A small red rash on the body that itches and merges into large lesions can be a symptom of measles. This disease is very contagious, transmitted by airborne droplets. For people not vaccinated in childhood, it sometimes becomes fatal.
At the initial stages of development, the ailment resembles rubella: it first appears on the face, and then gradually spreads throughout the body. The spots have a rough surface, accompanied by an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and respiratory tract, a dry cough, and also an increase in temperature (up to 40.5 ° C).
On the fourth day of the course of characteristic clinical manifestations, the symptoms begin to fade away, while skin rashes disappear in the same order in which they occur. However, peeling of the skin remains for some time at the site of the rash.
Scarlet fever
Numerous very small red rashes on the body (it itches or not, depends on some aggravating circumstances), which stands out on reddened skin, can be a manifestation of scarlet fever. This disease is characterized by the spread of rashes throughout the body, however, their largest accumulations are localized in the natural folds of the skin, in the lower abdomen and on the sides.
Another hallmark of scarlet fever is that the rash and redness do not affect the area of the nasolabial triangle. The rash begins to disappear after 3-7 days and does not leave any pigmentation, but the skin peels off very much, and on the palms and feet it comes off in layers.
Hemorrhagic rash
In medicine, skin rashes caused by rupture of superficial capillaries, which are point hemorrhages, are also isolated.
Such a red rash does not itch on the body in an adult or in a child. When pressed, the spots do not fade. Often, they can become a sign of meningococcal infection - a rapidly developing and deadly disease. The beginning of the development of such pathologies strongly resembles the flu (accompanied by fever and vomiting). If any rashes are detected against this background, it is urgent to call an ambulance team.
Non-infectious origin of the rash
Seborrheic dermatitis is localized in areas of the skin where there are a lot of sebaceous glands - on the face, head and skin folds. Red and yellow-red spots have a greasy surface and flaky.
Teenage acne appears on the face, chest, and back in young people during puberty. If acne occurred in an adult, then this indicates hormonal disorders in the body. Almost all such manifestations leave scars on the skin.
Pale pink blisters of different sizes and a red rash on the child’s body, gradually merging with each other, are most often symptoms of urticaria.
The initial stage of psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of red or red-pink papules, covered with scales, on the scalp, inside of the elbow bends and in the popliteal region of the legs. Over time, they capture an increasingly large area of the skin, merging with each other.
Allergic rashes
Allergic manifestations on the skin may resemble hives, but are not always accompanied by itching. Usually they appear in the form of flaky red spots, small blisters and crusts.
An allergic reaction can occur due to skin contact with an irritant, and after taking certain products inside. In food allergies, a small red rash on the body usually appears symmetrically.
A rash on the body that does not itch
It is almost impossible to independently diagnose the exact causes of the appearance of skin rashes - many manifestations can occur without pronounced symptoms. Therefore, the true culprit of the disease can only be determined by a doctor.
The likely causes of such reactions may be infections, hormonal disorders in the body, exposure to the sun and cold, allergic manifestations, and diseases of the digestive system. In addition, blood diseases can also cause various rashes that are not accompanied by itching. Therefore, even if a red rash on the body does not cause any discomfort, it is better to visit a specialist and get a full treatment.
Treatment of skin rashes
The appearance of skin rashes is a signal of the body that cannot be ignored. Therefore, when they appear, and especially progression, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to identify the true cause of the appearance of rashes and recommend a suitable treatment.
In addition, there are many popular methods that help with many varieties of rash. Traditional medicine often recommends them as adjunctive or supportive therapy.
Folk techniques
Various alternative medicine techniques can have a positive effect in the fight against acne eruptions and allergic reactions. So, for example, in the first case, herbs are widely used: string, chamomile, calendula, mint, celandine, lime blossom, dill, celery or parsley root and leaves, bay leaves and various aromatic oils.
In addition, celandine, a string, calendula and chamomile are used for the treatment and prevention of urticaria and prickly heat in infants. By the way, these herbs will not hurt even with any form of red rash on the body of an adult (it itches or not). Compresses and baths from these herbs can reduce the inflammatory process and itching.
All kinds of talkers and ointments from acne eruptions have well established themselves. However, they are prepared according to special recipes drawn up by a dermatologist. Many traditional healers recommend the use of ointments from mummies or eggshells.
For the treatment of allergic manifestations on the skin, people widely use freshly squeezed juices from carrots, apples, celery, parsley and cabbage.
Prevention of skin rashes
The main measure for the prevention of skin rashes of a non-infectious nature is proper body care. This primarily relates to skin hygiene, since it is the habitat of a huge number of a wide variety of bacteria and microorganisms, including pathogens.
A huge role in protecting against rashes of various etiologies is played by general immunity. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen it in every possible way, eating full-fledged healthy food and supporting it with the intake of special vitamin complexes. It is necessary to ensure a long and sound sleep, to spend more time in the fresh air and lead an active lifestyle.
The observance of a certain diet plays an important role here: indigestible fats, spices, smoked meats, canned food, alcoholic beverages, coffee, chocolate and products made on the basis of various extractive substances must be excluded from the diet.
We must not forget about the rules of personal hygiene, prohibiting the use of other people's towels, washcloths, razors, combs and other things.
If any symptoms of a red rash appear on the body, it is recommended to consult a doctor to exclude the likelihood of developing unwanted processes in the body and determine how to treat such manifestations.