4 Types of Skin Rashes Commonly Seen in Adults
You’ve probably experienced that nagging discomfort of having rashes on your skin. While they usually go away after a few days, they can still be quite an inconvenience. Rashes are quite common, and you can get them at any age and from almost anything. A sudden breakout can be caused by an itchy sweater, a hot summer’s day, or even plants that come in contact with your skin.
Most of the time, you can use some home remedies or a dermatitis lotion to treat it, but eczema can be annoying and unsightly if left untreated. This simple guide will help you determine the different types of rashes that are common in grown-ups.
Eczema
Most people think that eczema is something only common to children, but you can easily get it as an adult as well. Eczema is evident by its itchy, red, inflamed patches of skin, more commonly seen in lighter skin tones. On people with ashen or darker skin tones, it looks brown, purple, or gray. Contrary to popular belief, eczema isn’t something you can catch from someone else. It is actually a skin response triggered by your immune system due to genetic and environmental factors.
There are many forms of eczema, but the most common type is a chronic skin condition called atopic dermatitis. This is an inflammatory type of eczema that can start in childhood but reappear in adulthood. Stress, poor sleeping patterns, or changing weather conditions can trigger an eczema flare-up. The first step to atopic dermatitis treatment is avoiding these triggers and applying a daily moisturizer, often multiple times per day.
Contact Dermatitis
Whenever you have an allergic reaction on your skin when you come into contact with an irritant, contact dermatitis occurs. Nickel and rubber are some common irritants that cause this condition. It all depends on what you’re allergic to, be it a certain type of fabric or a chemical in your laundry detergent. It’s not actually easy to identify the cause, but it usually results in red or swollen skin that could even lead to blisters.
Cellulitis
Most rashes are caused by viral infections. However, they can also be the result of bacterial infections like cellulitis. This is perhaps one of the most common skin rashes caused by bacteria. When you experience redness, swelling, and pain on your skin, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately. Cellulitis, if left untreated, can cause severe tissue damage and could even spread to deeper tissues like your muscles and bones.
Shingles
If you’ve had chickenpox before when you were a kid, you’re at risk of developing shingles in your adulthood. The same virus causes shingles and chickenpox. What’s interesting is that it stays in your body even after the rash is gone and can be later reactivated in adulthood due to high levels of stress. Shingles look like small clear blisters that are quite painful. This can last for weeks or months, leading to a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia.
Conclusion
Knowing the different types of rashes that plague adults is the first step you can take to get treated. After which, you need to call your skin care provider and consult about the best course of action and treatment.
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