Common Types of Rashes and How We Can Help

Rashes are is a variety of skin conditions that affect skin. They manifest in many forms, including but not limited to red patches, small bumps or blisters. Dr. Jay Levin of Atlanta Skin and Aesthetics in Atlanta, GA, offers patients a variety of treatment options.

A lot of rashes are not life-threatening and can be treated using over-the-counter anti-itch creams and antihistamines, but you still need to be cautious. While some may clear up within a few days or weeks others may be a sign of a more serious illness, like Lyme Disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or some types of cancers.

Some of the most prevalent rashes are:

• Atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema makes skin itchy, red, dry and cracked. This long-term condition can improve over time and affects several part of the body, like backs or fronts of knees, outside or inside elbows, and around the neck, hands, cheeks or scalp.
   
• Cold sores are small blisters on or near the mouth and are a result of herpes simplex virus. People experience tingling, itchiness or a burning sensation but this should clear up without treatment within 7 to 10 days.

• Hives (urticaria), hives, is a raised, itchy rash that may be localized on one part of the body or spread out. Treatment isn't always necessary because the rash gets better after a few days. You can use antihistamines if you can't stand the itchiness, just ask your Atlanta doctor about what medication is best for you.

• Impetigo is a contagious skin infection and there are two types: non-bullous impetigo, which affects the nose and mouth, and bullous impetigo, which affects the trunk. This infection is common in children and clears up within 3 weeks.

Other skin rashes include:

• Chronic skin problems: acne, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis.
• Fungal infections: ringworm and yeast infection.
• Viral infections like shingles.

Do you have a rash that needs to be looked at? Would you like to speak with your Atlanta Skin and Aesthetics doctor in Atlanta, GA. If your answer is yes, then call (404) 252-4110 today!