Clinically examined byStephanie S. Gardner, MD April 26, 2022
Do you have skin problems?
1/19
Is your skin itchy, bruised, or covered in rashes or weird spots? Skin inflammation, changes in texture or color, and blemishes can be the result of an infection, chronic skin condition, or exposure to an allergen or irritant. If you think you have any of these common adult skin conditions, ask your doctor to look into them for you. Most are minor, but others could indicate something more serious.
Herpes (Herpes zoster)
2/19
A rash of raised spots that turn into painful blisters, shingles causes the skin to burn, itch, tingle, or become very sensitive.Herpesit usually appears on the trunk and buttocks, but it can appear anywhere. A rash lasts about two weeks. You will recover, but the pain, numbness, and itching can last for months, years, or even a lifetime. Treatment includes skin creams, antiviral medications, steroids and even antidepressants.Early treatment is important to avoid complications.
urticaria (urticaria)
3/19
Hives look like welts and can sting, sting, or burn. They vary in size and sometimes come together. They can appear anywhere on you and last from minutes to days. Causes include extreme temperatures, infections such as strep throat, and allergies to medications, foods, and food additives. Antihistamines and skin creams can help.
soriase
4/19
Thick patches of red skin covered with white or silvery scales are signs of this.soriase. Doctors know how psoriasis works: Your immune system triggers the growth of new skin cells very quickly, but they don't know what's causing it. The spots usually appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. You can heal and get your whole life back. Treatments include skin creams and ointments, phototherapy, and oral, injectable, or intravenous medications.
eczema
5/19
eczemais a general term for a number of non-contagious conditions that cause inflamed, red, dry, itchy skin. Doctors aren't sure what causes eczema in the first place, but they do know that stress, irritants (like soap), allergens, and weather can trigger flare-ups. In adults, it usually occurs on the elbows, hands, and skin folds. Several medications treat eczema. Some are applied to the skin and others are taken by mouth or by injection.
Rosazea
6/19
A tendency to blush easily may occur, followed by redness of the nose, chin, cheeks and foreheadRosazea. It may redden over time and blood vessels are visible. You may have thick skin, bumps, and pus-filled pimples. It can even affect your eyes. Medications that are taken by mouth or applied to the skin are available. Doctors can use a laser to treat broken blood vessels and reddened or thickened skin.
herpes labial (herpes labial)
7/19
The herpes simplex virus causes small, painful, fluid-filled blisters in the mouth or nose.Lippenherpesit lasts about 10 days and is easily transmitted from person to person. Triggers are fever, too much sun, stress and hormonal changes such as menstruation. You can treat cold sores with antiviral pills or creams. Call your doctor if the sores contain pus, the redness spreads, you have a fever, or if your eyes get irritated. These can be treated with prescription pills or creams.
rash
8/19
Contact with the oily coating of poison ivy, oak, or poison sumac causes rashes in many people. It starts with redness and swelling at the site and then the itching starts. Blisters usually appear between 12 and 72 hours after contact with the plant. A typical rash looks like a red line, which is the result of the plant being dragged through the skin. An outbreak usually lasts up to 2 weeks. Treatment may include medications sprayed on the skin or taken by mouth.
Soothe itchy rashes
9/19
Prescription or over-the-counter medications can help relieve itching. Also try cold compresses and oatmeal baths. Your doctor may prescribe medication for a severe rash and antibiotics for an infection. Learn to recognize these plants to avoid direct contact. Poison oak generally grows west of the Rocky Mountains; Poison ivy to the east.
navalha lids
10/19
Pseudofolliculitis barbae occurs when the hair follicles become inflamed due to shaving. It most commonly occurs on the face and neck, but it can appear anywhere you shave or wax. Also known as "shave razor bump" or "shaving razor bump", the irritation can cause pimples and even scarring. You can minimize the problem by taking a hot shower or putting on a warm towel before shaving. Use shaving cream or foam and pull the razor in the direction of hair growth. Rinse with cold water and apply a moisturizer.
marks on the skin
11/19
This small flap of flesh-colored or slightly darker tissue hangs from your skin by a stalk. They are usually located on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts or in the groin area. Skin tags are more common in women and the elderly. They are not dangerous and usually do not cause pain unless they become irritated when nearby clothing or skin rubs against them. A doctor can cut them up, freeze them, or burn them.
Acne
12/19
AcneIt occurs when a pore clogged with oil and dead skin cells becomes inflamed. Pores that remain open and darken are called blackheads; Completely clogged pores are called blackheads. Bacteria and hormones trigger acne, which most commonly occurs on the face, chest, and back. You may also get pus-filled pimples and cysts. To control acne, keep oily areas clean and do not squeeze (this can lead to infection and scarring).
athlete's foot
13/19
This fungal skin infection causes the feet to become scaly, red, itchy and burning. You may also have blisters and sores. Athlete's foot is contagious and spreads through direct contact. To avoid this, don't share shoes with an infected person, and don't walk around barefoot in areas like locker rooms or near swimming pools. Treat with topical antifungal lotions. In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe medication. You must keep your feet and the inside of your shoes clean and dry during treatment.
moles
14/19
Moles, which are usually brown or black, can be anywhere on the body. They can occur singly or in groups and usually appear before age 20. Some birthmarks change slowly over the years. They can go from straight to high, grow hair or change color. Have your moles checked by a dermatologist once a year. See your doctor right away if you have any changes, rough edges, unusual or uneven color, bleeding, or itching.
Age or liver spots
15/19
These brown or gray spots are not actually caused by aging, although they do become more common as we age. You get them from sun exposure, so they tend to show up on your face, hands, and arms. You can try bleaching creams, acid peels, and light-based treatments to fade them. See a dermatologist to rule out serious conditions like melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
pityriasis rosea
sixteen/19
A harmless rash, pityriasis rosea, usually starts as a single scaly pink patch with a raised border. Days or weeks later, it starts to itch and spread. The rash can be shaped like a Christmas tree, spreading throughout the body. Doctors don't know exactly what causes it, but they don't think it's contagious. It often goes away in 6 to 8 weeks without treatment. Pityriasis rosea most commonly occurs between the ages of 10 and 35.
Melasma ('Mask of Pregnancy')
17/19
Melasma (chloasma) are light brown or brown patches on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. It is often called the "mask of pregnancy" because it affects half of all pregnant women. Men can get it too. If it doesn't go away on its own after giving birth, you can treat it with prescription creams, over-the-counter products, or laser treatments. Sunlight makes it worse, so always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30.
warts
18/19
In most cases, the usualwartsappear on the fingers or hands. They are caused by the human papilloma virus. Warts spread when you touch something used by a person with the virus. To prevent new warts, cover them with bandages, keep them dry and do not remove them. They are usually harmless and painless. You can treat them with topical medications, or a doctor can freeze or burn them. Some of the more advanced removal techniques include surgery, lasers and chemicals.
seborrheic ceratoses
19/19
seborrheic ceratosesThey are non-cancerous growths that usually appear with age. They can appear singly or in groups on many areas of the skin. They can be dark or multicolored and often have a grainy surface, although they can be smooth and waxy. You don't have to deal with them unless they get annoyed or you don't like the way they look. They are easily confused with birthmarks or skin cancer, but a dermatologist can tell the difference.
FAQs
Why am I breaking out with bumps and rashes all over my body? ›
Rashes are caused by exposure to any number of environmental allergens such as food, weather, sunlight and even stress. Many of these can be treated effectively with over-the-counter medications. But in some cases, your skin may be telling you that you have a more serious condition.
Why am I having itchy rashes all over my body? ›The main cause is dermatitis, which is when your skin reacts to allergens or irritants. Bacteria, viruses, allergens and conditions including eczema, hives, and psoriasis can be the source of skin rashes. A variety of treatments can relieve your symptoms and get rid of the rash.
What is a rash with bumps and itchy? ›Hives, also called urticaria (yer ti CARE ee uh), are red, itchy, raised bumps or welts on the skin. They may be small, like mosquito bites, or many inches wide. Hives can appear alone, in a group or can connect with each other to cover bigger areas.
What diseases have a rash as a symptom? ›- Pemphigus vulgaris (PV)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS)
Maybe you ate a certain food or touched/inhaled something, like dust or certain plants. These things are called allergy triggers. The most common type of skin allergy is contact dermatitis, also called atopic dermatitis. It happens when you're exposed to an irritant, such as laundry detergent, latex, or poison ivy.
What infection causes itching and rashes on the body? ›Infectious causes of itching include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), parasites (such as scabies, fleas, bedbugs, pinworms, and lice), and viral rashes. Perhaps the best definition of itching is by the response it evokes -- it is a feeling that makes you want to scratch.
What deficiency causes skin itching? ›Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
What cancers cause itchy rashes? ›...
The types of cancers that were most commonly associated with itching included:
- blood-related cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
- bile duct cancer.
- gallbladder cancer.
- liver cancer.
- skin cancer.
Molluscum contagiosum (mo-LUS-kum kun-tay-jee-OH-sum) is a fairly common skin infection caused by a virus. It causes round, firm, painless bumps ranging in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. If the bumps are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to nearby skin.
When should I be worried about itchy bumps? ›Painful rashes should quickly be evaluated by a physician. The rash is infected. If you have an itchy rash and you scratch it, it may become infected. Signs of an infected rash are yellow or green fluid, swelling, crusting, pain, and warmth in the area of the rash, or a red streak coming from the rash.
What helps itchy rash bumps? ›
- Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. ...
- Take an oatmeal bath. ...
- Moisturize your skin. ...
- Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
- Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.
A stress rash usually looks like raised red bumps or hives that range from a single welt to a cluster of tiny dots. Commonly, these clusters will appear on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. However, they are not limited to those areas and can ultimately appear anywhere on the body.
How do I get rid of itchy bumps on my rash? ›Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. Stronger cortisone creams are available with a prescription. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema or psoriasis.
What skin rashes are serious? ›Life-threatening skin rashes are rare. Five potentially life-threatening disorders that have skin rash as the primary symptom are pemphigus vulgaris (PV), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS).
What does a blood disorder rash look like? ›The rashes resemble patches of pinpoint red or purple spots, known as petechiae. These red spots may be raised or flat on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body but are more common on the neck, arms, and legs. The petechial red spots do not typically cause any symptoms like pain or itching.
What is the skin condition with bumps? ›Keratosis pilaris (ker-uh-TOE-sis pih-LAIR-is) is a harmless skin condition that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, often on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks. The bumps usually don't hurt or itch. Keratosis pilaris is often considered a common variant of skin. It can't be cured or prevented.
What cream is good for itchy skin? ›Short-term use of nonprescription corticosteroid cream may offer short-term relief of itchy, inflamed skin. Or try calamine lotion or creams with menthol (Sarna, others), camphor, capsaicin, or a topical anesthetic, such as pramoxine (adults only).
What viruses cause an itchy rash? ›- Chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus).
- COVID-19 (coronavirus).
- Fifth disease (parvovirus B19).
- Hand, foot and mouth disease (coxsackievirus A16).
- Measles (morbillivirus).
- Roseola (human herpesvirus 6).
- Rubella (rubella virus).
- Chickenpox. 1/15. Everyone knows about this viral rash. ...
- Shingles. 2/15. Once you've had chickenpox, the virus lives on inside your body. ...
- Molluscum Contagiosum. 3/15. ...
- Fifth Disease. 4/15. ...
- Cold Sores. 5/15. ...
- Genital Herpes. 6/15. ...
- Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. 7/15. ...
- Rubella. 8/15.
Researchers may have found why our skin can become itchy and inflamed due to conditions like eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. A common bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus sometimes stimulates production of a protein that causes our own cells to react and cause the inflammation, the researchers report.
What vitamin can stop itchy skin? ›
Vitamin D. Studies have concluded that people who suffer from eczema and other similar skin conditions tend to have lower levels of vitamin D than the rest of the population. Taking a vitamin D supplement therefore increases your levels, helping to reduce the severity of itchy skin.
Does lack of vitamin D cause itching? ›You may experience red, dry and itchy skin due to vitamin D deficiency. Intake of vitamin D can help you treat such skin problems. It can also reduce skin rashes. Vitamin D is also beneficial for treating eczema which is also a skin condition.
What vitamins help itchy skin? ›Additionally, vitamin D supplements have been shown to significantly improve symptoms of skin disorders that cause dry, itchy skin, including eczema (3). What's more, research has indicated a correlation between vitamin D and skin moisture.
How do you know when itching is serious? ›Contact your health care provider if your itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause. You may need other treatments, such as medicines or light therapy. If you have an underlying disease that is causing the itching, treating that disease may help.
What cancers start with a rash? ›What is mycosis fungoides? Mycosis fungoides is a type of lymphoma—the most common form of blood cancer. When someone has mycosis fungoides, malignant cells in the blood travel to the skin. The most common mycosis fungoides symptoms causes lesions that appear as a scaly, itchy rash.
What is a bacterial rash? ›Bacterial skin infections often begin as small, red bumps that slowly increase in size. Some bacterial infections are mild and easily treated with topical antibiotics, but other infections require an oral antibiotic. Different types of bacterial skin infections include: cellulitis. impetigo.
What does a viral rash look like in adults? ›The characteristics of viral rashes can vary greatly. However, most look like splotchy red spots on lighter skin or purplish spots on darker skin. These spots might come on suddenly or appear gradually over several days. They can also appear in a small section or cover multiple areas.
Should I be worried about bumps on my skin? ›Most skin bumps are harmless and aren't cause for concern. However, you should see your doctor if: skin bumps change or worsen in appearance, or last for a long time. you are in pain or they cause discomfort.
Does Benadryl help with itchy bumps? ›“Usually you can treat the rash's itchy symptoms and swellings with over-the-counter antihistamine medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec),” Dr. Gilliam says.
What kind of rash can last for months? ›Hives — also called urticaria (ur-tih-KAR-e-uh) — is a skin reaction that causes itchy welts. Chronic hives are welts that last for more than six weeks and return often over months or years.
What is an anxiety rash? ›
An anxiety rash is an itchy rash that may look similar to hives. It is due to anxiety rather than any other factors, such as certain foods or medications. Research has found that chronic anxiety increases the sympathetic nervous system response to stress.
What rash looks like shingles? ›Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is easy to confuse with the shingles rash. As with the shingles virus, psoriasis forms red patches on the skin, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. One type of psoriasis — pustular — can lead to the development of blisters.
Why is my skin itchy with small bumps? ›Allergies. Irritation and allergic reactions can also cause itchy skin. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an allergen. The result of the skin allergy is a red, itchy rash that can include small blisters or bumps.
How do I get rid of an itchy rash all over my body? ›- Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. Do this for about five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides.
- Take an oatmeal bath. ...
- Moisturize your skin. ...
- Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
- Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.
It's best to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room if your rash is spreading rapidly. If your rash is spreading slower but is spreading over your body, it's still a good idea to get it looked at. It might be a warning that your rash is caused by an allergic reaction or an infection.
What does stress rash look like? ›A stress rash usually looks like raised red bumps or hives that range from a single welt to a cluster of tiny dots. Commonly, these clusters will appear on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. However, they are not limited to those areas and can ultimately appear anywhere on the body.
What vitamins should I take for itchy skin? ›Vitamin D. Studies have concluded that people who suffer from eczema and other similar skin conditions tend to have lower levels of vitamin D than the rest of the population. Taking a vitamin D supplement therefore increases your levels, helping to reduce the severity of itchy skin.
What lotion helps itchy rashes? ›Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. Stronger cortisone creams are available with a prescription. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin.
What is the best cream for itchy skin? ›Beclometasone cream and ointment are used to treat itching, swollen and irritated skin. They can help with conditions such as: eczema. psoriasis.