How many different rashes are there

It appears as red sores that turn into blisters, ooze, then for a honey colored crust over. Shingles -- A painful blistered skin condition caused by the same virus as chickenpox. The virus can lie dormant in your body for many years and re-emerge as shingles. It usually affects only one side of the body.

Childhood illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, roseola, rubella, hand-foot-mouth disease, fifth disease, and scarlet fever. Medicines and insect bites or stings. Many medical conditions can cause a rash as well. These include: Lupus erythematosus an immune system disease Rheumatoid arthritis, especially the juvenile type Kawasaki disease inflammation of the blood vessels Certain body-wide systemic viral, bacterial or fungal infections Home Care Most simple rashes will improve with gentle skin care and by avoiding irritating substances.

Follow these general guidelines: Avoid scrubbing your skin. Use gentle cleansers Avoid applying cosmetic lotions or ointments directly on the rash.

Use warm not hot water for cleaning. Pat dry, don't rub. Stop using any recently added cosmetics or lotions. Leave the affected area exposed to the air as much as possible. Try calamine medicated lotion for poison ivy, oak, or sumac, as well as for other types of contact dermatitis.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Call or the local emergency number if: You are short of breath, your throat is tight, or your face is swollen Your child has a purple rash that looks like a bruise Call your health care provider if: You have joint pain, fever, or a sore throat You have streaks of redness, swelling, or very tender areas as these may indicate an infection You are taking a new medicine -- DO NOT change or stop any of your medicines without talking to your provider You may have a tick bite Home treatment doesn't work, or your symptoms get worse What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and symptoms.

Questions may include: When did the rash begin? What parts of your body are affected? Does anything make the rash better? Have you used any new soaps, detergents, lotions, or cosmetics recently? Read full article on flea bites. Read full article on fifth disease.

Read full article on contact dermatitis. Read full article on allergic eczema. Read full article on hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Read full article on diaper rash. Read full article on chickenpox. Read full article on systemic lupus erythematosus SLE. Read full article on cellulitis. Read full article on drug allergies. Read full article on tick bites.

Read full article on seborrheic eczema. Read full article on scarlet fever. Read full article on Kawasaki disease. Contact dermatitis is one of the most common causes of rashes. What it looks like : Acne causes red, discolored bumps on the skin, along with whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts. Other symptoms to note : Acne is the most common skin condition affecting Americans, Dr. Zeichner says, so you likely have experience with pimples already. The causes vary, but are often rooted in excess oil and bacteria on the face, chest, or back, which can be triggered by hormonal issues, stress, certain foods, and irritating products.

What it looks like : Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is a blistering rash. It often appears in a stripe or in the top quadrant of the head, but only on one side of the body. Other symptoms to note : Blisters are painful and are sometimes accompanied by fever, headache, and chills. Local tingling or pain is common before the blisters appear.

Shingles can affect the eye and even cause vision loss. The condition is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Bottom image credit: Preston Hunt. What it looks like : Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of eczema that is characterized by scaly, oily or greasy patches of skin, usually on the scalp.

Other symptoms to note : This condition is itchy and can cause dandruff and buildup on the scalp. Zeichner explains that although the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, the body overreacts to yeast on oily parts of the skin, causing the thick, flaky buildup. Top image credit: Amras What it looks like : Like seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis causes red, inflamed skin and small pustules around the nose and mouth. Other symptoms to note : Flareups can be itchy and uncomfortable, and are often confused with acne.

There is no known cause of perioral dermatitis, but overuse of topical corticosteroids is associated with the condition. What it looks like : Scabies is a discolored, splotchy rash that can appear pimple-like on any affected parts of the skin. Patients might also notice tiny lines on the skin where the mites have burrowed. Other symptoms to note : Scabies is very itchy , and usually more intense at night.

Unlike the other rashes on this list, this one is caused by an infestation of mites. Top image credit: Cixia. Bottom image credit: Tim Kubacki. What it looks like : Drug rashes are usually speckled, itchy, and red, and can cover large areas of skin.

They can appear days to weeks after taking a medication. Other symptoms to note : Drug rashes can be a side effect of or a reaction to a new medication; almost any medication can cause a drug rash, but antibiotics and NSAIDs are the most common culprits. They can be triggered by anything from weather as in the case of atopic dermatitis to perfume as with contact dermatitis. Many of these rashes come and go.

Read on to learn about eight common skin conditions and their symptoms and triggers. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, and the terms are often used interchangeably to describe the same skin condition. Both can cause red, raised, itchy patches of skin on the hands and scalp, but eczema tends to come with really intense itching, according to Penn Medicine. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, while eczema could be the result of genetic or environmental factors.

About 20 percent of infants have eczema , according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many kids outgrow eczema, though it sometimes sticks around into adolescence or adulthood. Commonly affected areas include the eyelids, elbows, hands, feet, knees, and ankles, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Triggers for eczema include environmental factors, such as hot weather, according to Penn Medicine, or contact with certain products, such as chemicals or drying detergents, says Joyce Davis, MD , a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Hirsch says. Scratching makes your skin thicker, which itches more.

The Mayo Clinic and Hirsch recommend a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes :. Contact dermatitis is a different type of eczema, triggered by physically touching something that irritates or causes an allergic reaction , according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association AAD. Intense itching, accompanied by a rash with fluid-filled blisters, is the hallmark of the disorder, according to AAD.

There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant, which is more common and occurs when your skin reacts to something chemical like a perfume or detergent , and allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by a reaction to a substance, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Common contact dermatitis triggers include nickel jewelry, hair dye, cosmetics, skin-care products, nail polish, formaldehyde, rubbing alcohol, and poison ivy.

Davis says. For both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, use over-the-counter or prescription topical cortisone , Davis says. Identifying an allergic reaction may require a test, in which a doctor applies a small patch with allergens on it to see if your skin reacts, per a study published in the July—August issue of Missouri Medicine.

It seems to be caused by yeasts belonging to the genus Malassezia, the authors wrote. Look for shampoos with zinc , selenium, or ketoconazole , and leave the shampoo on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing, recommends Harvard Health Publishing.

Outbreaks on the face and body can be treated with topical corticosteroids or antifungal medications, notes the Cleveland Clinic.