Skin Rashes, Types of Skin Rashes and Pictures

There are many different types of skin rashes, but something they have in common, are reddened areas of skin that often become itchy or blistery. These areas often shed the affected skin layers and take a week or two to heal, though those over 60 can take several months. Though they don’t usually cause any lasting harm, genital rashes and others that appear on mucous membranes can be especially troublesome.

Rashes are not typically life-threatening but can be embarrassing, itchy and painful. There are many causes of skin rashes, but they tend to fall into one of three categories:

Allergies

Other allergens include zinc and latex. Sometimes otherwise benign chemicals or materials on particularly sensitive skin can cause a reaction, as in the case of infant skin rashes.

Prescription medications can also cause rashes – locally in the form of topical ointments and all over when medications are taken internally.

Infectious Agents

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa are just a few types of organisms that can cause rashes to appear. These usually enter the skin through pores or openings. Some parts of the body that are especially prone to warm, dark and moist conditions are good breeding grounds for fungus. For women butt rashes are very often a side effect of the thrush.

Viral infections are a very common form of childrens rashes, though nearly half of all newborns suffer a mild rash during the first week of life that is not a cause for concern.

Inherited Conditions

For a great many people, their skin problems are the result of a genetic trait. Psoriasis and eczema are the most well known examples. Often these cause scaly and red arm and leg rashes to form in adulthood, especially in the winter months. While many with inherited traits such as these, they assume because of the late onset that it must have been something they touched, very often focusing on soap.

Those who find themselves plagued by recurring rashes will want to find out answers. Be careful to keep blisters from the worst of these rashes from getting infected by very regularly and gently washing the affected area. Most rashes disappear in hours or days.

There are other types of rashes that have been described elsewhere. For more information about the different types of rashes, go here and here!