Despite age, everyone has experienced a rash in their life, but do you know how to get rid of rashes? Rashes exist in various forms. Sometimes the reason is common (for instance, a rash caused by poison ivy), while other reasons could be hard to figure out.
Some rashes arise without any warning, while others take days to form on the skin. Likewise, some rashes will go away as quickly as they form, while others may take time to leave the body. Therefore, the answer to how to get rid of rashes varies with the cause.
What Are Rashes?
Before finding out the answer to how to get rid of rashes, understand that Rashes or dermatitis are defined as discolouration that brings changes in skin colour, appearance, or texture due to skin inflammation and allergic reaction, which has many causes. It can also be outlined as an area of irritated or swollen skin.
Rashes can be irritating and extremely itchy, regardless of the cause. An itchy rash is also known as allergic contact dermatitis. And rashes can occur anywhere in the body.
Symptoms of Skin Rashes
Before heading onto the answer of how to get rid of rashes, it is vital to be aware of various symptoms of skin rashes:
- Red or discoloured skin.
- Raised and red welts.
- Red or discoloured blotches.
- Red or colourless bumps.
- Ring-shaped mark.
- Blisters on the skin.
- Itchiness on the skin.
- A ruffled and slightly raised patch of skin.
- Oozing and crusty sores.
- Pus-filled swellings.
- Scaly skin patch.
- Thick and leathery skin patch.
Causes of Skin Rashes
Along with getting the answer to how to get rid of rashes, let us look at the common causes. The type of rash can explain the reason behind it. For example, the cause of stress rash will be stress.
- Poison ivy
- Soaps, deodorants, detergents, lotions, especially ones consisting of dangerous synthetic scents.
- Household chemicals, for example, bleach.
- Hand sanitisers.
- Latex allergy.
- Food allergies.
- Viral infection.
- Fungal infection.
- Bacterial infection.
- Parasitic infection.
- Acne.
- Lyme disease.
- Lupus.
- Bug bites.
- Bee stings.
- Constant skin rubbing.
- Continuous exposure to the sun.
- Continuous exposure to moisture.
- An allergy due to medication.
- A side effect to a medication.
Types of Rashes
It is important to know the answer to how to get rid of rashes, but it is equally important to know common types of rashes:
- Eczema
- Granuloma annular
- Lichen planus
- Poison ivy
- Hives
- Athlete’s foot
- Pityriasis rosea
- Atopic dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Diaper rash
- Drug eruptions
- Heat rash
1. Eczema
Eczema describes different conditions in which the skin is inflamed and becomes red, scaly, and itchy. Atopic dermatitis (also called atopic eczema) is regarded as one the most general forms of eczema. It can happen in adults as well as children.
It is a disorder that leads to red itchy skin on the bending areas like the inner side of the elbow, the backside of the knees, cheeks, neck, wrists, and ankles. It can be witnessed in patients suffering from asthma or hay fever.
Causes
Eczema usually affects people with a family history of allergies. Common causes of eczema include stress, skin irritants like soaps, detergents, a fabric, allergens, and climate or environment.
Treatment
Eczema can be treated with fragrance-free moisturisers and have ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and mineral oil. Ointments can be used to control itching, swelling and redness caused due to eczema. For example, crisaborole (Eucrisa) is an ointment for mild to moderate psoriasis in children of 2 years or more.
Dupilumab is an injectable antibody used in patients with moderate to severe eczema. Phototherapy is another way of treating people with eczema.
2. Granuloma Annulare
It is a chronic skin condition leading to the formation of a circular-shaped rash with reddish bumps on the back of forearms, hands, or feet of children and young adults.
Usually, the treatment of granuloma annular is not required, except for cosmetic reasons. Steroid creams or ointments can help the person disappear reddish bumps from the body. Ultraviolet light therapy or oral drugs can also be used in serious cases.
3. Lichen Planus
It is a common skin disorder that generates shiny, flat-elevated bumps inside wrists, ankles, lower legs, back, and neck. Some can have lichen planus inside their mouth, genital area, scalp, and nails. They usually have an angular shape and reddish-purple color.
Lichen Planus mostly affects adults aged between 30-70, and it is not evident in very young or older people.
Causes
Doctors have stated that lichen planus is an autoimmune condition (the body’s immune system attacks its tissues). Sometimes, it arises from triggering agents such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
It can also be caused to someone being allergic to the medications to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis.
Treatment
Lichen planus cannot be cured, but symptoms can be treated with anti-itch products like antihistamines. If lichen planus acts on only a small section of your body, apply medicated cream to the infected area.
Doctors might prescribe steroid shots or other drugs that subdue the immune system and retinoids or light therapy in severe cases.
4. Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis Rosea is a common and mild skin rash that starts with a large, scaly, and pink layer of skin on the neck or back. This rash usually affects the abdomen, chest, upper arms, and legs other than the neck and back.
Treatment
No treatment is required in mild cases, but during serious issues, medications are required. For example, oral antihistamines, ointments, and prescription steroids can help the person seek relief from itchiness.
It is recommended that the person who gets pityriasis rosea avoid too much sun. And, in most cases, this rash goes away within 6-12 weeks.
5. Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of rash that is caused by contact with a particular chemical to which the person is allergic or a substance that can irritate their skin. This rash is known to be weepy and oozy—for example, poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak.
6. Hives
Hives are red itchy bumps that arise unexpectedly and leave the body in about eight hours. They can occur frequently. Always keep in mind that if a drug causes hives, then avoid that drug in the future.
7. Drug Eruptions
Some drugs like antibiotics can lead to a skin rash as a side effect of the drug. The rash looks like the one caused by common viral infections.
8. Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a type of contact dermatitis that occurs in most infants and adults who wear diapers. The reason for this rash is when faeces and urine stay in contact with the skin for a long time.
9. Heat Rash
Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts arise during hot, and humid weather. They look like red clusters of acne (fungal infections) or small acne. It usually occurs on the neck, upper chest, under the breasts, and in elbow creases. The treatment of heat rash includes exposure to a cooler environment.
10. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is the only most common rash among adults. It leads to red and itchy scales on the forehead, cheeks, eyebrows, and outer ear. And in infants, this rash may affect their diaper area.
How to Get Rid of Rashes?
After understanding various types of rashes, symptoms, and causes, it is mandatory to understand how to get rid of rashes, especially for those with sensitive skin.
1. Cold Compress
It has been proven as one of the fastest and easiest solutions to how to get rid of rashes, the pain, and the itchiness of the rash. A cold compress, cool showers, or cold water is useful as it will reduce the blood flow to an inflamed area and can help in immediate relief by reducing the swelling and itching.
2. Oatmeal Bath
Oats, known as Avena sativa have been used to cure skin diseases, from eczema to burns. At present, there are various over-the-counter skin products containing oatmeals to treat rashes and other skin conditions.
When dissolved in water, Colloidal oatmeal can relieve itchiness because it works as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant to soothe skin itchiness, dryness, and roughness. Oats contain anti-inflammatory substances such as linoleic acid and oleic acid to reduce the level of cytokines (proteins produced by cells that can cause inflammation) in the body.
3. Aloe vera
Aloe vera can aid health and skin diseases like heat rash on the face. Besides wound healing, it has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant because it contains vital constituents like vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium, and many more.
Aloe vera is a top natural and safe remedy to use when applied on the skin, but some can be allergic to aloe vera. It soothes rashes by limiting inflammation, redness, and itchiness by eliminating moisture.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is extracted from the meat and milk of coconuts and is used as a cooking oil and skin moisturizer. It is the most understanding answer to how to get rid of rashes because every house relies on coconut oil for various reasons. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties because it contains a high amount of saturated fats.
Virgin coconut oil is suitable because it contains medium-chain fatty acids and sustains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It has been proven to improve the severity of dermatitis, skin hydration, dry skin, scaly skin, and itchy skin.
5. Tea Tree Oil
The tea tree is found in Australia, and people use it as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory substance. A study explains that tea tree oil is appropriate to cure skin acne, bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoa skin infections.
Tea tree oil contains unsaturated hydrocarbons that break up the cellular material of bacteria. Always apply tea tree oil with dilution in a cream or oil to avoid irritation on the skin.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate has been used as an old household remedy for skin rashes, poison ivy, or bug bites.
Baking soda soothes the skin, balancing the skin’s pH because it acts as a buffer when kept in a stable acid-alkali balance.
7. Indigo Naturalis
Indigo naturalis is a dark-blue powder derived from a dried Chinese herb. It may be effective as a topical treatment for mild and moderate psoriasis and inflammation.
The herb tryptanthrin and indirubin present in indigo naturalis interact with the inflammation-producing substances. Crude indigo naturalis can be purified to eliminate dye and maintain effectiveness. Also, commercial preparations of indigo naturalis are available in the market.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
It is believed to have antimicrobial properties and anecdotal evidence for its use. It limits the growth of cytokines that produce inflammation. It can be applied as it is or in the diluted form on the itchy patch. Whereas, some people can go for an apple cider vinegar bath as well.
9. Epsom Salts (or Dead Sea Salts)
People have taken baths in the Dead Sea for centuries to heal skin ailments. Traditionally, Epsom salts have been used in a warm bath to relax muscle aches and pains. Magnesium salts have been declared to improve the skin barrier function, assist the skin to retain moisture, and reduce inflammation.
10. Plant Oils
Different plant oils have different compounds and effects on the skin. Plant oils that have been effectively used to moisturize itchy skin include:
- Olive oil helps in reducing inflammation and wound healing because it contains oleic acid, less amount of other fatty acids, and chemical compounds.
- Safflower seed oil is 70 per cent polyunsaturated linoleic acid and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
- Argon oil improves skin elasticity and hydration because it contains monounsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, sterols, tocopherols, and other alcohols.
- Jojoba oil helps to repair the skin barrier, and it is found in cosmetic products. Also, it can be used to absorb tropical drugs.
- Chamomile oil is another traditional remedy for calming skin, and it is also called relaxing herbal tea. It contains three ingredients-azulene, bisabolol, and farnesene that show anti-inflammatory results. It helps to reduce scratching and histamine activity.
Read about 12 amazing ingredients from African skincare history for skincare.
The Final Word
After going through the definition, causes, types, and symptoms of rashes, one can conclude the answer to how to get rid of rashes. It includes both traditional and modern methods, but the research is still going on to find out which remedy would work for which skin rash. Also, some of the above mentions methods to get rid of skin rash could have side effects depending on the person’s body.
A person can experience various types of skin rashes but the good news is that there are several easy-to-do remedies for most of them. Therefore, if you are going through any skin rash at present, read this article about how to get rid of rashes.
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