When A Rash Isn’t Just A Rash
When we get a rash, nine times out of ten, it’s nothing to worry about. Harmless skin irritation due to mild allergies, heat, or contact with an irritant can happen at any time. However, there may be some signs that a rash is more than just a temporary issue with your skin, but a symptom of an illness that needs real attention. Here, we’re going to look at some of the signs you should watch out for.
When It’s Covering Large Parts of The Body
A small, localised rash is usually just a sign of skin irritation on that particular part of the body. However, if it’s spreading over larger parts of the body, it could be a symptom of a more serious illness, such as viral infection, autoimmune disorders, or severe allergic reactions. In particular, if it’s a sudden full-body rash, it might be an allergic reaction to medication that you’re taking, like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Any rash that covers a wide area of the body should be looked at.
When It’s Painful Or Tender
Rashes are often itchy or uncomfortable, but it’s important to understand the difference between being bothered by a rash and when it’s painful or tender to the touch. A painful rash can be several conditions but is most often a sign of shingles, especially if you have had chickenpox at some point in your life. Thankfully, shingles treatment is broadly available, usually involving taking an antiviral to clear it up within days and pain relief to manage the sensation. However, it’s important to treat it quickly to avoid potential complications.
If It’s Showing Signs Of Infection
Any time the skin barrier is broken, there is a risk of infection. Just as this is true of cuts, it’s true of rashes. When bacteria enter broken skin, it can become a real danger, so you should look out for signs of infection, such as spreading redness, warmth to the touch, or any sign of pus or fluid drainage. If a rash is worsening, producing pus, or causing increasing discomfort, medical evaluation is necessary to prevent further infection from spreading to the bloodstream.
If It’s Accompanied By Fever
Another sign that your rash is more serious than it initially looks is a fever. Fevers happen when the body is fighting off a virus, bacterial infection, or inflammatory disease. Sometimes, this is caused by a rash becoming infected, but there are also illnesses like measles and rubella that cause both rashes and fever, often at the same time. Because there are many potential different causes for this pairing of symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor as soon as you can t work out the case and the right course of action to treat it.
If you don’t notice any of the signs above, nor any other symptoms alongside the rash, then the chances are that it will resolve itself in time. However, if the rash is persistent, lasting longer than a week, then it’s worth checking out for safety.
