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Rashes – Causes and Home Treatment

What is sun rash?

A rash is defined as a change in the skin’s appearance, which may involve alternations in texture (eg rough or smooth) and/or it’s colour. The skin may also become itchy, warmer, dry, cracked, blistered, lumpy or painful. Depending on where the rash is located, other symptoms you are experiencing, what you have been exposed to and any family history, there are many causes for a rash.

Most of us enjoy the sun, but some people’s skin can be very sensitive to the sun in spring and summer, especially those with pale skin and red hair. For them, exposure to sunlight results in a rash which may recur throughout the summer.

Rashes are generally caused by skin irritation, which can have many causes. A rash is generally a minor problem that may go away with home treatment. In some cases, a rash does not go away or the skin may become so irritated that medical care is needed.

Who is at most risk of getting sun rash?

It is commonly seen in children and young women and tends to be recurrent. Those who suffer from it get relief only during the winter. The condition usually disappears as they get older and reach their 40s or 50s.

Common Causes
A simple rash is called dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is caused by things your skin touches, such as:
·    Dyes and other chemicals in clothing
·    Chemicals in elastic, latex, and rubber products
·    Cosmetics, soaps, and detergents
·    Poison ivy, oak, or sumac
Seborrheic dermatitis is a rash that appears in patches of redness and scaling around the eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, nose, the trunk, and behind the ears. If it happens on your scalp, it is called dandruff in adults and cradle cap in infants.

What are the different types of common skin rashes?
Whether it is used by patients or doctors, the word “rash” does not have an exact meaning or refer to a specific disease or kind of disorder. It’s a general term that means an outbreak of bumps on the body that changes the way the skin looks and feels. Rashes can be localized to one area or else be widespread. The way people use this term, a rash can refer to many different skin conditions. Common categories of rash are
·    scaly patches of skin not caused by infection
·    scaly patches of skin produced by fungus or bacterial infection, and
·    red, itchy bumps or patches all over the body

DIAPER RASH
When your beautiful baby is born, her skin is often perfect in every way. It is softer and smoother than it will ever be again. You are dismayed when she wakes up and her bottom is red and irritated when you change her diaper. What happened! What did you do wrong? Absolutely nothing!
Ringworm

Another skin condition that’s commons this time of year is ringworm. Dr. Marshall says ringworm, despite what the name implies, is a fungal infection of the skin or scalp. It is not caused by a worm. Dr. Marshall explains it can be passed from one child to another or from an infected puppy or kitten. Ringworm of the skin usually causes a scaly, dry, round lesion with a clear center that can be itchy. In the scalp, it usually causes round scaly bald patches in your child’s hair.

Home treatment for minor rashes
Home treatment often can relieve discomfort and itching until a rash clears up. If you have come in contact with a substance that causes contact dermatitis (such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac), immediately wash the area with large amounts of water.