Itchy Body Rash

A body rash is basically any change in an area of skin relating to its texture or color, and can involve a variety of symptoms including itching, burning, and inflammation. Skin may peel or flake, it may break out into blisters, it may swell, or it may simply develop an uneven, patchy appearance. There are numerous types of rashes, and the causes are also varied. Certain substances are irritants to the skin, and will cause a rash in almost any human being, depending to some extent on the sensitivity of the skin. At other times, a rash may be an allergic reaction – this is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to some normally harmless substance. Such rashes are quite common, and many of them are difficult to detect. Another common cause of rashes is infection, whether by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Rashes can also be caused by direct damage to the skin, as is the case with sunburn. Similarly, friction against clothing or some other abrasive surface for long periods of time can cause a rash.

Treating a rash successfully requires proper identification of the cause of the rash. You can use home remedies to treat the symptoms quite successfully. A cold compress is among the safest and most effective remedies for a rash. You can either use a soft, clean cloth that has been dipped in cold water, or you can use crushed ice for this purpose. Other remedies exist too, but until you have identified the cause of the rash, it is not safe to use such remedies. These include a pack made of oatmeal and milk, and fresh gel from an aloe vera plant.

However, unless the cause of the rash is identified and addressed, the rash will either persist or it will disappear and recur regularly. Irritants will usually have a temporary effect, unless the substance is all over your environment, resulting in repeated contact. With an allergy, this gets more difficult. If you have an allergic rash, it is important to stay away from the allergen that is causing the rash. However, identification of allergens is not always easy, and you may need to consult a specialist for this. Skin infections require proper treatment, whether this consists of topical treatment or orally ingested medication. Many medications may help to decrease the rash without actually eliminating the cause. It is therefore not advisable to use over the counter medications but instead visit your doctor or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.