Should you keep a rash dry or moist?

Leave the rash open to the air as much of the time as possible. Sometimes petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can help relieve the discomfort caused by a rash. A moisturizing lotion, such as Cetaphil, also may help.
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Should a rash be covered or uncovered?

Wash with lukewarm water, not hot water, which can be drying. Pat the rash dry, don't rub. Don't cover the rash with gauze or clothing. Stop using makeup or lotion that may have triggered the rash.
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How do you dry out a rash fast?

Put 1 to 2 cups of baking soda in a tub of lukewarm water and soak. Rinse off, pat dry, and use your moisturizer. You can also make a paste with a little water and baking soda and apply to the affected area.
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What is good to put on a rash?

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. Stronger cortisone creams are available with a prescription. If you have eczema, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema or psoriasis.
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Should you moisturize a rash?

cream/ointment twice a day (preferably after a bath or shower) for at least 4-5 days in a row. Do apply a good moisturizer (choose a cream, oil, or petroleum-based product) to the rash. One good brand is Aquaphor® Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment. Do clean open wounds with a gentle cleanser and water.
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Do rashes dry up when healing?

Your rash will likely clear up without complications in 2-3 weeks as long as you are not re-exposed to the allergen. Applying moisturizers will help the skin moisten and speed the healing process. Your provider may prescribe creams or ointments to help. Corticosteroid pills are reserved for only the most severe cases.
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How do I know if my rash is fungal or bacterial?

Skin infections caused by viruses usually result in red welts or blisters that can be itchy and/or painful. Meanwhile, fungal infections usually present with a red, scaly and itchy rash with occasional pustules.
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Do rashes get worse before they get better?

The initial rash may be relatively mild,” he says. "And each subsequent time you're exposed, it can actually get worse and worse until it reaches a maximum severity.”
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Is Vaseline good for rashes?

Petroleum jelly creates a moisture barrier that can reduce the risk of diaper rash. It can also soothe the skin and provide relief from existing diaper rashes.
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Where should you not use hydrocortisone cream?

It can make some skin problems worse like impetigo, rosacea and acne. Only use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old if a doctor recommends it. Creams you can buy are not supposed to be used on the eyes, around the bottom or genitals, or on broken or infected skin.
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How can you tell if a rash is serious?

If you have a rash and notice any of the following symptoms, see a board-certified dermatologist or go to the emergency room immediately:
  1. The rash is all over your body. ...
  2. You have a fever with the rash. ...
  3. The rash is sudden and spreads rapidly. ...
  4. The rash begins to blister. ...
  5. The rash is painful. ...
  6. The rash is infected.
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How do you make a rash go away overnight?

Additionally, if you have a rash, be sure not to scratch, as that will only make it worse.
  1. Cold Compress. Like throwing water on a flame, a cold compress can help to take the heat out of a painful rash. ...
  2. Oatmeal Bath. ...
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  4. Coconut Oil. ...
  5. Aloe Vera. ...
  6. Hydrocortisone Cream. ...
  7. Epsom Salts. ...
  8. Baking Soda.
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Should I put Neosporin on a rash?

Don't use light lotions. They spread well but don't get absorbed into the skin. Don't use a triple-antibiotic ointment like Neosporin. It doesn't kill the staph and strep bacteria that cause skin infections, and some people develop an allergic contact dermatitis to one of its ingredients.
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How do you stop a rash from spreading?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Avoid the irritant or allergen. ...
  2. Apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. ...
  3. Take an oral anti-itch drug. ...
  4. Apply cool, wet compresses. ...
  5. Avoid scratching. ...
  6. Soak in a comfortably cool bath. ...
  7. Protect your hands.
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How do you get rid of a rash that won't go away?

You should see a dermatologist for any rash that doesn't go away with over-the-counter medicine, he says. Typical treatments include: Topical cortisone, especially if you have a mild case. Immunosuppressive drugs (such as cyclosporine or methotrexate) for more moderate to severe cases.
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What does a viral rash look like?

The characteristics of viral rashes can vary greatly. However, most look like splotchy red spots on lighter skin or purplish spots on darker skin. These spots might come on suddenly or appear gradually over several days. They can also appear in a small section or cover multiple areas.
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What do stress rashes look like?

Hives from stress and anxiety can appear anywhere on your body. They often look like red, pink, or flesh-colored, raised, puffy, splotches. Sometimes, they may look like bug bites, or raised red bumps.
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Is hydrocortisone good for rashes?

This medication is used to treat a variety of skin conditions (such as insect bites, poison oak/ivy, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, rash, itching of the outer female genitals, anal itching). Hydrocortisone reduces the swelling, itching, and redness that can occur in these types of conditions.
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What does a bacterial rash look like?

Bacterial skin infections often begin as small, red bumps that slowly increase in size. Some bacterial infections are mild and easily treated with topical antibiotics, but other infections require an oral antibiotic.
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What does fungal rash look like?

What does a fungal rash look like? A fungal skin infection often looks bright red and can spread across a large area. A fungal skin rash may also have characteristics including: Color more intense at the border.
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How do I know if my rash is bacterial?

Skin Infection Symptoms
  1. Pus or fluid leaking out of the cut.
  2. Red skin around the injury.
  3. A red streak that runs from the cut toward your heart.
  4. A pimple or yellowish crust on top.
  5. Sores that look like blisters.
  6. Pain that gets worse after a few days.
  7. Swelling that gets worse after a few days.
  8. A fever.
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Does scratching a rash make it worse?

First and foremost, don't scratch your itch! Hives can be extremely itchy, and the natural instinct would be to scratch the area that is bothering you. But scratching hives can make them more inflamed and cause them to spread.
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How do I know what kind of rash I have?

Tests may be used to determine the type of rash and/or the cause:
  1. Skin biopsy.
  2. Skin scraping.
  3. Blood tests.
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Does Benadryl help with rashes?

“Usually you can treat the rash's itchy symptoms and swellings with over-the-counter antihistamine medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec),” Dr. Gilliam says.
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