Skin Rash: Types of Skin Rashes

A skin rash is an alteration in the skin's disposition, affecting its color, texture and feel. A rash may be confined to one particular part of the body or may be spread all over. A rash may cause the affected skin to start itching, swell, blister, feel bumpy, warm, dry or cracked. It can be painful too. Skin rash types, based on shape, size and consistency, can be classified under the following categories:

• Macules: These are those skin rash types that appear as small skin discolorations that measure less than one centimeter. The discolored patches are neither raised nor lowered, but appear in level of the rest of the skin.
• Patch: A macule that is more than one centimeter in size is known as a patch. Rest of the characteristics are same as those of a macule.
• Papule: A papule is a spot of skin which is solid, raised and flat.
• Plaque: A papule which measures more than a centimeter is called a plaque, other characteristics of papule and plaque being the same.
• Blister: Also known as vesticle, a blister is a small, raised, translucent part of the epidermis which is filled with fluid.
• Bulla: A blister on skin which measures more than a centimeter is called a bulla.
• Pustule: When the fluid inside a blister turns into pus, such a blister is called a pustule.
• Crust: A crust is an uneven, flat or bumpy, sensitive, dried secretion of the sebaceous glands, cracked fluid-filled skin lesions, or dried blood. It is usually red, brown or yellowish in color and falls off the skin in few days or weeks in a single piece or in many pieces.
• Induration: An induration is the hardening of the skin at one spot.
• Wart: Also known as a verruca, a wart is a solid viral growth from the epidermis. Warts typically disappear after some time, say a few months or a few years, without any consequence.
• Lichenification: It is a palpable hardening of skin at one spot and is a symptom of chronic eczema.
• Nodule: It is a palpable mass of solid skin tissues, measuring less than one centimeter. Nodules may arise from the skin itself or from tissues lying under the skin and may appear, below, above or at skin level.
• Maceration: This term denotes a raw, moist tissue.

Common Skin Conditions with Symptom of Rash

Eczema: It is a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The parts of the body affected by eczema get a reddish or brownish appearance in fair skinned people or the affected area may become hypo-pigmented or lighter in dark skinned people. The affected area becomes itchy, dry, thickened or scaly. There is no known factor that can be attributed to the exact cause of eczema but it is believed that eczema is related to the immune system's hyper response to unknown triggers. Eczema treatment includes application of prescribed lotions, creams and solutions to ease the dryness and itch. Cold compress also helps in arresting itchiness.

Dermatitis: Any inflammation of the skin comes under the purview of dermatitis. It includes many types of skin rashes and skin irritations. Different types of dermatitis are:

• Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is triggered by contact with allergens.
• Atopic Dermatitis: It is mostly suffered by people living in low-humidity areas of the world.
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis: It appears in lieu of celiac disease.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: Commonly known as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by itchy, flaking skin.
• Nummular Dermatitis: This condition is characterized by coin shaped, itchy lesions. This is a recurrent and chronic disorder and can be worsened by caffeine and stress due to their skin dehydrating effects.
• Stasis Dermatitis: Generally, varicose-vein patients develop this condition, which is characterized by inflammation of the lower legs due to buildups of blood and body fluids.
• Perioral Dermatitis: This is characterized by redness of the face due to hyperemia of the capillaries. It may also be accompanied by pimples.
• Hives: Also known as urticaria, hives are characterized by a sudden outbreak of swollen, itchy or stinging, light reddish bumps or plaques on the skin. Hives occur when blood plasma leaks out of small blood vessels as a reaction to histamine. Histamine is released in response to any allergic reaction from insect bite/sting or any particular chemical present in any food.
• Shingles: This rash is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) which also causes chickenpox and belongs to the family of Herpes viruses. Shingles rashes are preceded by several days of burning pain and sensitive skin and manifest as small blisters with a red base. New rashes keep coming for the next 4-6 days. Shingles is a contagious skin condition and people who have previously not had chickenpox are most prone to be affected on contact.
• Heat Rashes: Heat rashes develop when the sweat ducts are blocked and they swell. These appear as tiny pinkish raised dots on the skin and are itchy.
• Diaper Rash: Diaper rash appears on the diaper covered regions of infants and is caused due to friction and/or microbial infestation due to locked moisture.

These were some of the common skin rash types and their manifestations. The diagnosis of skin rashes begins with identifying any abnormality, including discoloration, growth, sensation and irritation of the skin to ascertain the category and cause of the rash. Treatment of these depend upon various factors such as skin rash type, cause of rash, patient's sensitivity to a particular medication, severity of the symptoms, etc. When and how these rashes encounter us cannot be predicted but precautionary measures such as maintaining sanitation and hygiene, identifying and avoiding allergens and consulting a physician at the very early stages can help us curb the growth and spread of these conditions. Health is wealth and healthy skin is a reflection of our inner well-being. So, stay clean, eat right and bask in the glow of health!