Skin rash (exanthema)

skin rash come in many forms and types. If they appear suddenly, the medic speaks of one Rash. This can have numerous causes, take on different forms and occur in different parts of the body. Therapy depends on the cause.

What is a rash?

The rash is an acute skin rash that can appear on a limited area of ​​the body or spread over the entire body.

The rash is an acute skin rash that can appear on a limited area of ​​the body or spread over the entire body. The rash can slowly spread over the body or move from one part of the body to another. The rash usually appears as red spots on the skin, but other manifestations are also possible.

Doctors use the term efflorescences to describe the individual skin changes and differentiate between primary and secondary efflorescences. Primary lesions are the changes in the skin that appear first, including spots, lumps, vesicles or wheals. If the rash changes over time, it is called secondary lesions, which include scales, ulcers, plaques and scars. In addition, depending on the cause, symptoms such as itching, pain and fever can occur.

causes

The causes of a rash are diverse and require a distinction to be made between three types of rash. The first is the infectious rash caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, fungi or parasites. These include lice, herpes zoster or simplex, and lichen.

The second form is exanthema associated with systemic internal diseases. This includes lupus erythematosus, a rarely occurring chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease.

The third form of exanthema occurs with sexually transmitted diseases, childhood diseases or allergies. In the case of allergies, contact or drug eruptions occur, which are often associated with other symptoms. Typical childhood diseases are measles, rubella, scarlet fever and chicken pox.

The immune system is rarely the cause of an HIV infection.

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➔ Medicines for rash & eczema

Diseases with this symptom

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Skin lichen
• rubella
• Scarlet fever
• syphilis

• chickenpox
• HIV infection
• psoriasis
• Neurodermatitis
• Rosacea

• Shingles
• allergy
• Drug eruption in babies and children
• measles
• Seborrheic eczema

Diagnosis & course

In the case of exanthema, the person affected should consult a doctor quickly to ensure that appropriate therapy is initiated quickly. The right place to go is a dermatologist, but a general practitioner or pediatrician can also help.

When taking a detailed anamnesis, the doctor asks about the time and location of the first onset, previous illnesses, medication intake and accompanying symptoms such as itching, fever, nausea or signs of cold. Another important question is whether the patient has had contact with sick people.

The location of the rash often provides important clues about the cause. Viral rashes often begin in the head area and spread over the body from there. A rash on your stomach, back, or chest is an indication of a drug reaction.

During the detailed examination of the rash that follows, the doctor uses aids such as a magnifying glass or a spatula. Blood tests, allergy tests and smears can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Complications

Rash can cause a variety of complications. First of all, a secondary bacterial infection can occur, in which other areas of the skin are also affected by the rash. Often pigmentation disorders or bleeding occur, with chronic rashes scars form and sensory disorders (paresthesia) occur in the affected areas. In severe cases, a rash as a result of a cold allergy can lead to circulatory shock.

The rash that occurs as a result of shingles is no less problematic: the zoster virus spreads to other areas of the skin and, under certain circumstances, to internal organs and external organs such as ears and eyes. If the organs of vision and hearing are affected, there is a risk of blindness and loss of hearing. So the complications always depend on the original cause of the rash. An immune deficiency can contribute to the fact that the pustules and redness spread faster and the rash intensifies overall.

As a result, lumps or blisters develop that also differ optically from the original rash.During the treatment itself, the drugs used, usually ointments or similar in the case of a rash, can intensify the symptoms. If there is an underlying allergy, depending on the type and severity of the allergy, various accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, severe pain, inner restlessness and, in severe cases, organ failure can occur.

When should you go to the doctor?

Rashes caused by intolerance to a detergent or cream often go away on their own within a few days - if this is not the case, a doctor should be consulted. If the rash occurs very suddenly or if its cause is unclear, it is advisable not to wait that long, but to ask a dermatologist for advice as soon as possible.

The same applies if children are affected or the rash is accompanied by swelling, pain or severe itching. Concomitant symptoms such as fever, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath should be used as an opportunity to have the skin examined by a doctor immediately. Skin changes often appear in flare-ups or the rashes change shape, size or color over time.

Clarification by a doctor is also urgently recommended here. The dermatologist is the most important point of contact for skin diseases. Alternatively, there is the possibility of going to the family doctor. If necessary, he will issue a referral to the dermatologist.

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Treatment & Therapy

With rapid treatment, the symptoms sound like one Exanthema usually off quickly. Treating a contact agent rash is simple: avoiding the allergen will soothe the rash. Soothing ointments or creams can also be used.

The drug eruption, depending on the severity and after weighing the advantages and disadvantages, is also treated by discontinuing the allergen. Discontinuation can be problematic if several medications are taken at the same time. The intake of glucocorticoids or antihistamines supports healing.

Childhood diseases are treated symptomatically. Medicines to relieve itching are given supportively until the rash subsides when the disease ends.

If skin diseases are identified as the cause, special therapy is necessary. Topical treatment with salicylic acid, taking vitamin D and cortisone preparations, or laser therapy are all possible. Patients should not start the treatment on their own as over-the-counter antidotes could irritate the skin. Therapy should only be given as directed by a doctor.

Outlook & forecast

What a patient should expect after a rash depends on the causes. Viral diseases are often responsible for a rash. If it is one of the common childhood diseases, the rash usually spreads very quickly over the entire body. Itchy, often watery blisters form, but they do not leave any scars unless the patient scratches them.

The disease is usually accompanied by fever, tiredness and weakness and is overcome after about 14 days. Bacterial infections that cause rashes, such as scarlet fever, often follow a similar course, but can be treated very well with antibiotics.

If the rash is caused by a skin fungus, it often affects other parts of the body as well. The armpits and the anal and genital regions are particularly affected. The patient is usually referred to a dermatologist who treats the infected areas with antifungal drugs. Skin fungi must be treated quickly and consistently so that they do not occur chronically.

Allergic reactions usually subside as soon as there is no contact with the trigger. However, avoiding allergens almost always entails a change in the patient's lifestyle.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for rash & eczema

prevention

Home remedies ↵ for rash When asked about preventive measures, a distinction must be made between the various forms of exanthema. Contact and drug eruptions can only be prevented if the disease risk and the reaction can be foreseen. While the risk of infectious skin rashes and causing sexually transmitted diseases can be reduced by good hygiene and avoiding contact with those affected, 100% protection against childhood diseases is not possible.

You can do that yourself

Various measures will help relieve rashes. A cooling compress can provide short-term relief from itchy rashes in particular. Ice packs are also beneficial, but should not be placed directly on the skin. Special cooling gels from the pharmacy are also recommended.

Rash can be made worse by constant or vigorous scratching. Pathogens can penetrate the scratched skin and cause infections. Therefore, people with a rash should avoid scratching at all costs. If you can't stand the itching at all, you should tap, rub or pinch gently. Short-trimmed fingernails prevent scratches on the skin. Soft cotton gloves can also be worn at night to prevent unconscious scratching.

People with a rash should not shower or bathe in hot water. Hot showers or baths put a strain on the diseased skin. Instead, those affected should wash themselves with lukewarm or cool water and only clean their skin with ph-neutral lotions. Fragrance-free aloe vera gel, for example, is well suited. A bath in a saline solution is also helpful. One kilo of sea salt equals 50 liters of water.

Other home remedies for rash include Washes with cold chamomile tea, compresses with cold yoghurt, creams containing urea or rubs with olive, sunflower or lavender oil. Freshly grated coriander leaves or a paste made from water and healing earth can also be placed on skin rashes.