Rashes
Medical Dermatology
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What are rashes?
A “rash” is a very general term referring to any sort of irritation or outbreak of the skin. The medical term for rash, dermatitis, simply means inflammation of the skin. There are many types of dermatitis including allergic rashes, poison ivy, medication reactions, rare skin conditions, etc.
Rashes will usually (but not always) have symptoms like itching or burning. They can be localized or spread to other areas and they may be bumpy, dry, blistering, or rough. They can be self-limited and resolve on their own, but more often than not, they will continue on until treated appropriately.
A board-certified dermatologist will be able to examine your rash to give you more specifics about what causes it, how to treat it, and what to expect. Schedule an appointment with Steele Dermatology online or give us a call at (770) 464-6000.
What causes rashes?
There are hundreds of different types of rashes, and they can all be caused by different things. Rashes may come from internal causes, external causes, infections or medical conditions.
Retracing your steps may be helpful in figuring out the cause of your rash. For example, if you had any unusual exposures (outdoors, travel, etc.), any new products on your skin, or any new medications, supplements, or foods. You may not be able to identify any likely causes, and if it isn’t clear to your dermatologist what the cause may be, additional testing may be required.
Where do you get rashes?
Dermatologists treat rashes that occur anywhere on the skin, including the scalp, nails, bottom of the feet, or anywhere else. Sometimes the location of your rash may give a clue to what caused it, for example, rashes that occur in sun-exposed areas that are caused by the sun. Also, some rashes occur characteristically in certain parts of the skin.