Rash Treatment
Advanced Treatment for Rashes in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is a nationally recognized dermatologist and expert in the treatment of cosmetic and medical skin conditions. Dr. Palm is a noted leader in her field and offers effective treatment options for skin rashes. Her offices are located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego.
What is a Skin Rash?
A skin rash is a generalized, non-medical term that refers to irritation of the skin. A rash is medical terms is sometimes referred to as a dermatitis. This is a layman’s term for most acute changes of the skin. The skin is compromised and does not behave normally or may have compromised function. If a skin rash is severe enough, it may allow secondary infection of the skin or cause systemic symptoms.
What Causes Skin Rashes?
A wide variety of conditions from eczema to viral skin eruptions to poison ivy can develop rashes. Any potential irritant to the skin can cause a rash. Physical injury such as skin abrasions or frictional assault to the skin can result in a skin rash.
Outside sources such as environmental exposures to allergens, pollens, plants, chemical irritants, cleaning agents, perfumes, topical skin care products, and preservative agents may all irritate the skin in sufficient concentration and exposure time to result in compromise of the skin barrier and formation of a skin rash. This may result in an irritant or contact dermatitis or an allergic skin reaction called hives (urticaria).
Infections of the skin may also result in skin rashes. Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections can result in skin rashes ranging from ringworm to herpes outbreaks. A rash called lichen planus is sometimes related to a viral infection, hepatitis C. Pityriasis rosea is another condition also suspected to be related to a viral illness. Tinea versicolor is an example of a yeast or fungal infection that causes a skin rash.
Internal conditions or disease states may also present as a skin rash. Eczema, a common skin rash, is related to an atopic triad of skin rashes, seasonal allergies, and asthma. Psoriasis, one of the most common skin rashes, occurs in about 1% of the U.S. population and is related to metabolic syndrome consisting of obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, increased cholesterol levels and heart disease.
What are the Symptoms of Rashes?
Skin rashes can exhibit a variety of symptoms and patterns. Some skin features of rashes include the following:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Flaking or scaliness
- Burning
- Itching
- Tingling
- Oozing
- Swelling
What are the Treatment Options for Skin Rashes?
It is important to have skin rashes correctly diagnosed by a dermatologist in order to determine appropriate treatment. The proper course of treatment relies on identifying the underlying cause of the skin rash.
Skin rashes related to infections must be treated with the appropriate antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medication. Skin rashes causes by an outside irritation requires removing the irritating cause and soothing the skin rash. Skin rashes related to internal disease states or conditions requires treatment of the underlying medical diagnosis. Mild skin care rashes are often treated with a combination of topical steroids or anti-inflammatories and topical skin care and moisturizers that restore the skin barrier.
If you are looking for a dermatologist to treat skin rashes in the San Diego area, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options.
