Red patches caused by diaper rash are common. Though the rash might be annoying to babies, it often clears up with simple home treatments such as air drying, more frequent diaper change and topical ointment to help keep the skin moisten and hydrated. Though most bites and string have little effect on your general health, bites from bees, wasps, and hornets can be painful and irritating.
Some people are however allergic to bee sting, this could develop reactions that can be life-threatening. Jock itch is one of the most common forms of fungal infection of the skin. Jock itch is also referred to as tinea curries, and commonly affect your genitals, inner thighs, and buttock. Jock itch is known to cause an itchy, red and often ring-shaped rash. The warm, moist areas of the body provide an ideal condition for the growth of the fungus causing this rash. It is common for people who sweat a lot and those who are overweight.
Apart from jock itch, another common infection known to cause redness on the skin is impetigo. Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection forming pustules and yellow crusty sores on the skin. The red sores caused by impetigo are what break open, ooze fluid and develop a yellow-brown crust. Impetigo sores can occur anywhere on the skin.
This is a common skin infection in children, and it is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Red skin patches can also be caused by shingles. Shingles is an acute inflammation of the nerve ganglia. Shingle is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The rash caused by shingles can appear anywhere on the skin. Shingles will often appear as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of the torso [mayo clinic].
The rash is caused by varicella-zoster virus, the same virus known to cause chicken pox. Scabies is another contagious skin infection. Scabies is a contagious skin infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabies. The infection occurs after mites burrow the skin to live and deposit eggs. The condition causes severe itching, the itching may be especially strong at night. Hay fever is an allergy caused by pollen or dust, this causes the mucous membrane of the eyes and nose to become itchy and inflamed.
With hay fever, you are likely to experience a runny nose and watery eyes. The other possible cause of red and patchy skin is drug and food allergy. A food or drug allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to medication. A drug allergy could occur whether you are using over the counter, prescription or herbal drug.
Some cases of drug allergy might be life threatening, as such, immediate medical attention is required. Unlike most of the condition we have mentioned above, rheumatic fever is not contagious. It is a noncontagious acute fever marked by inflammation and severe pain in joints. Rheumatic fever is common in young people. It is a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. We have provided you with some images and photos to help in the description of how different skin conditions causing the red patches appear.
It is clear that the rash will vary from one condition to the other. Some of the images might be graphic, but we hope they will be of help.
Itchy and painful red patches on the skin can be annoying, discomforting and worrisome especially if you do not understand what the underlying cause is. Long-term relief requires identifying and treating the cause of itchy skin. Common treatments are medicated creams, moist dressings and oral anti-itch medicines.
Itchy skin can affect small areas, such as the scalp, an arm or a leg, or the whole body. Itchy skin can occur without any other noticeable changes on the skin. Or it may be associated with:. Sometimes itchiness lasts a long time and can be intense. As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier.
And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this itch-scratch cycle can be difficult. If the condition persists for three months despite treatment, see a dermatologist to be evaluated for skin disease. It may also be necessary to see a doctor who specializes in internal medicine internist to be evaluated for other diseases.
Itchy skin that is severe or lasts more than six weeks chronic pruritus can affect the quality of your life. It might interrupt your sleep or cause anxiety or depression. Prolonged itching and scratching can increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to skin injury, infection and scarring. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You may develop several itchy spots, typically on the neck, wrists, forearms, legs or anal region. Neurodermatitis — also known as lichen simplex chronicus — is not life-threatening or contagious. But the itching can be so intense or recurrent that it disrupts your sleep, sexual function and quality of life.
Breaking the itch-scratch cycle of neurodermatitis is challenging, and neurodermatitis is usually a lifelong condition. Treatment success depends on resisting the urge to rub or scratch the affected areas. Over-the-counter or prescription medications may help ease the itching. You'll also need to identify and eliminate factors that may be aggravating the problem. The condition involves areas that can be reached for scratching — the head, neck, wrists, forearms, ankles, vulva, scrotum or anus.
The itchiness, which can be intense, may come and go or be nonstop. You may scratch out of habit and while sleeping. The cause of neurodermatitis is unknown. The persistent rubbing and scratching that characterize the condition may begin with something that simply irritates the skin, such as tight clothing or a bug bite.
As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier. The more you scratch, the more it itches. In some cases, neurodermatitis is associated with chronic skin conditions — such as dry skin, eczema or psoriasis. Stress and anxiety can trigger itching too. Persistent scratching can lead to a wound, a bacterial skin infection, or permanent scars and changes in skin color.
The itch of neurodermatitis can affect your sleep, sexual function and quality of life. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
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