Causes of skin rashes that are bothersome and irritating

Skin rash is one of the most common skin problems experienced by people. Often times, a rash appears as a sign of a skin disease. So, what causes a red rash on the skin?

Causes of rashes on the skin

Rash itself is a very broad medical term. The appearance of various forms, can occur locally or only in one part of the body but can also spread to other parts of the body.

The causes of skin rashes are very diverse. Here are some common causes of this condition.

1. Contact dermatitis

Being one of the most common causes of rashes, contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed after direct contact with certain substances. Contact dermatitis can also occur when allergic skin comes into contact with an allergen.

In non-allergic contact dermatitis, usually the causes of this reaction are chemicals found in latex and rubber, cosmetics, coloring products, and some plants such as poison ivy, oak, and sumac.

2. Consumption of certain foods or drugs

Some foods or medicines can also be the cause of the appearance of a red rash on the skin. This can happen if you have a food allergy or a certain type of drug allergy, it could also be due to side effects that result from the drug.

Sometimes, drugs such as antibiotics can make you more sensitive to light. Your skin may show a red rash when you go out in the sun after taking antibiotics.

3. Blisters

For example, if you wear clothes that are coarse or are not careful when shaving your hair. This friction makes the skin blister and a rash appears around it.

Blisters are usually the cause of a rash that occurs in the armpit area. The rash caused by blisters can sting and cause the skin to crust, crack, and bleed from peeling off.

4. Sweat

Sweat also has the potential to cause irritation on the skin, especially if the rash appears in the skin folds such as the armpits or under the breasts. The rash can appear when your body finishes exercising, stays in a hot place, or when you feel anxious.

This condition is called cholinergic urticaria. The incident is thought to be due to the release of histamine compounds when body temperature increases. Histamine is what causes the appearance of a reddish hue in the form of a rash on the skin.

In addition, prickly heat can also be the cause. The rash appears when the pores of the skin become clogged with sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells.

5. Insect bites

Apart from being the cause of the rash, insect bites also often make the skin swell. Sometimes, the biting insect carries disease on its body. If your skin is bitten by these insects, you will catch the disease.

6. Menopause

In fact, menopause itself is not the cause of skin rashes. However, menopause can be a trigger for this condition.

When entering menopause, the body experiences a drastic decrease in the hormone estrogen. This reduced amount of estrogen will result hot flush, a condition where a person will feel a sensation of intense heat from within the body.

It is because of this sensation that women are more sensitive to changes in temperature, especially when the temperature gets higher. As a result, the skin produces a reaction in the form of a red rash on the skin.

A disease characterized by the appearance of a rash

Apart from the reasons above, skin rashes can appear as a sign of various health problems. The following are types of skin diseases that cause symptoms in the form of skin rashes.

1. Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is skin irritation caused by excess production of sebum or oil which can cause a rash to develop. The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is a fungal infection.

Unlike eczema which causes dry skin patches, seborrheic dermatitis causes patches that look oily. In addition to red, swollen, and itchy skin patches, seborrheic dermatitis also causes yellowish-white flakes around the rash.

2. Fungal infection

Yeast infection can be one of the causes of rashes on the skin. Usually this condition causes the rash in the skin folds. The reason is, the skin in this area has a higher moisture level which is ideal for fungal breeding.

One of the fungal infections is ringworm. Ringworm makes skin itchy and flushes red. Symptoms can get worse in hot weather or when you are dressed too tightly. Poor personal hygiene can also make you develop this disease.

3. Psoriasis

A red rash is one of the main symptoms most seen in patients with psoriasis. This red rash is accompanied by silvery scales and makes the skin texture dry.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease. This means that the disease lasts in the long term and can recur. There is no cure yet for psoriasis.

However, treatment can reduce the intensity of symptoms and reduce the likelihood of the disease recurring in the near future.

4. Autoimmune disease

Rashes are also common in patients with autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma, lupus, and vasculitis. Autoimmune disease is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells instead.

On the skin, the immune system mistakes normal skin tissue for harm. As a result, white blood cells secrete antibodies to fight the skin tissue. This process is what causes the appearance of skin rashes in autoimmune patients.

5. Rosacea

Rosacea is characterized by a red rash that appears around the face, sometimes accompanied by pimples. This disease makes the blood vessels in the skin clearly visible.

Until recently, it was not clear what exactly causes rosacea. However, this disease is thought to occur due to heredity and environmental factors. Rosacea is more prone to attack women with light skin.

6. Scabies

Scabies is a contagious disease caused by a mite named Sarcoptes scabiei. As a result of this infection, the skin will cause various symptoms such as a rash and itching which will get worse at night.

This condition can happen to anyone and is very easily transmitted from one person to another.

7. Other factors causing skin rashes

Apart from the above causes, rashes can also occur due to several factors such as age, stress levels, extreme weather, and the frequent use of alcohol-based skin care products. In order not to get a rash, as much as possible to be able to avoid some of these factors.

Most skin rashes that occur are mild and only appear as a reaction to sensitive skin. The rash can also go away on its own without causing any serious problems.

But again, you have to know whether the skin rash that appears is only the result of exposure to certain substances or is a sign of a disease.

If the rash feels excruciating and is accompanied by various other symptoms such as pain, fever, and starts to blister, immediately check with a dermatologist to confirm your condition.