Rashes Q & A

What are rashes?

Rashes are skin breakouts that typically appear as the result of an illness or exposure to an allergen. Also called dermatitis, they make your skin red, swollen, itchy, or dry. In some cases, a rash can come with painful blisters and bumps. 

Most people are familiar with rashes. After all, even babies get them in the form of diaper rash. Many rashes are easy to relieve at home if you avoid scratching them, keep them clean, and use gentle lotion. However, some rashes indicate a deeper issue and require professional treatment.

You should make an appointment at Acton Urgent Care for your rash if you’re concerned about the way it looks or feels. If it doesn’t seem severe but also doesn’t go away with home care, you should get testing from the team at Acton Urgent Care. 

What causes rashes?

Rashes have many causes. In fact, the cause of your rash determines the type of rash that you have. Here are a few common types and their causes:

Allergic or irritant contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of rash that appears after you come into contact with one of your allergens. If you’re allergic to nickel, for example, wearing jewelry with nickel in it can cause a rash. Irritant contact dermatitis appears after you come in contact with an irritable substance, like certain chemicals, that simply don’t agree with human skin.

Bacterial infection rashes

Bacterial infection rashes form as the result of infectious diseases, including staph infections, syphilis, or Lyme disease.

Eczema

Eczema is a common rash characterized by dry patches of skin. The skin may crack and cause bleeding or oozing pus. 

How are rashes treated?

At Acton Urgent Care, the team evaluates your rash and asks questions about where it came from. If they suspect that you have an unidentified allergy, they may perform allergy tests to find out what it is. 

Your treatment largely depends on the type of rash that you have, but some treatments focus on symptom relief. The team may give you:

• Medicated lotion
• Oral medications
• Ointments
• Antibiotics (for bacterial infections)
• Home care tips

As severe as your rash may seem, it should go away quickly with the right course of treatment. If it doesn’t, the team may refer you to a dermatologist for specialized care.

If you have an itching or burning rash that doesn’t respond to your own care, call Acton Urgent Care or book an appointment online today.