What if a rash doesn'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 happens if a rash doesn't go away?

Call Your Doctor If:

Home treatment doesn't help or the itch lasts more than a couple of weeks. The itch comes on suddenly and is all over your body. You could have an allergic reaction or an illness like thyroid problems or liver disease. You also have a fever or feel tired.
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What kind of rash won't go away?

Atopic dermatitis is the most common, long-lasting and tends to flare periodically. It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever. Just remember, eczema is the itch that becomes a rash.
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What kind of rash can last for months?

Eczema. Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic long-lasting disease that manifests as a rash with redness, swelling, cracking and extreme itchiness.
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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 to Tell If a Skin Rash Is Serious | Beautiful Skin



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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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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What cancers cause rashes?

Skin rash caused by cancer
  • Mycosis fungoides. One of the most common blood-related cancers is mycosis fungoides, a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. ...
  • Sezary syndrome. ...
  • Leukemia. ...
  • Kaposi sarcoma. ...
  • Chronic skin conditions. ...
  • Allergic reactions. ...
  • Skin infections.
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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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What does a leukemia rash look like?

One symptom that some people with leukemia might notice is tiny red spots on their skin. These pinpoints of blood are called petechiae. On fair and light skin tones, these may appear as red dots. On darker skin tones, they may be darker than the surrounding skin and less noticeable.
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How do I clear up a rash?

How can you care for yourself at home?
  1. Wash the area with water only. ...
  2. Put cold, wet cloths on the rash to reduce itching.
  3. Keep cool, and stay out of the sun.
  4. Leave the rash open to the air as much of the time as possible.
  5. Sometimes petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can help relieve the discomfort caused by a rash.
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Does Benadryl help with rashes?

If you have a rash, see a dermatologist or your doctor to find out what is causing your rash. The doctor will help you find the best ways to treat the rash. Some of the things the doctor may suggest are: Do try an antihistamine like Benadryl®(diphenhydramine*) at night time if itching is keeping you from sleeping.
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When should you get a rash checked out?

You're noticing the rash spreading quickly. Your rash is very painful. You've noticed fluid-filled blisters or open sores. You're seeing signs of infection such as pus, swelling, crusting, warmth or extreme pain.
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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 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 an autoimmune rash look like?

Autoimmune rashes can look like scaly red patches, purplish bumps, or more. The appearance of autoimmune rashes will be different, depending on which autoimmune condition is triggering the skin rash. For example, cutaneous lupus may cause a scaly red patch that does not hurt or itch.
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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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What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.
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How long does a Covid skin rash last?

How long does a COVID-19 rash last? More information is needed to know for sure. Right now, reports suggest that a rash typically lasts between 2 and 12 days, with most people having a rash for 8 days.
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Can blood disorders cause skin rashes?

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the body. Some types of anemia can cause rashes, which are abnormalities on the skin. Sometimes, the rash that presents with anemia may be due to the anemia condition itself. Other times, the rash may be due to complications from the treatment of the anemia.
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Can I go to urgent care for a rash?

#1. Your rash is accompanied by fever or pain.

If you have pain and fever along with your rash, chances are you need to head over to urgent care. This could indicate an underlying infection or a more serious allergic reaction.
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Can anxiety cause rashes?

A stress rash is simply a rash or issue with the skin caused by stress and anxiety. A typical stress rash reaction is breaking out in hives, known as urticaria. These are raised, itchy bumps that appear on the infected area and can appear anywhere on the body.
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What can be mistaken for heat rash?

Polymorphic light eruption can be easily mistaken for heat rash (prickly heat). Prickly heat is caused by warm weather or overheating, rather than sunlight or UV light. The skin in prickly heat does not "harden" or desensitise, as it can do in polymorphic light eruption.
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How do I know if my rash is fungal?

What are symptoms of a fungal rash? A fungal rash is often red and itches or burns. You may have red, swollen bumps like pimples or scaly, flaky patches.
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