Skin Rash Relief
Can all rashes be cured?
All rashes can not be cured. Some rashes that are a result of a cause that we can identify. If we can eliminate that cause whether it is an allergy or a medication, we can often get rid of that rash. Sometimes a rash is caused by an internal disease that needs to be addressed and if that internal disease is curable, then the rash can be resolved. But if that internal disease is not curable, then the rash can not be resolved. Maybe it'll be able to be controlled. But the rash may allow your doctor to make the diagnosis. And some rashes are chronic. They will happen forever. There is no cure. That is difficult for some patients to accept. If you have a topic dermatitis for example, which is a chronic disease of the skin, There is no cure. Cirrhosis. There is no cure. But your dermatologist has medicines that can help you control the symptoms associated with these conditions, that may make the disease less visible and with fewer symptoms.
What's a common mistake people make trying to treat a rash?
Some people come in with itches and they assume that it's a fungus, and they immediately try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. A lot of times what you have on your body is not a fungus, and using an antifungal cream won't make your rash worse, but it may not improve it at all. At that time you have to consider that you may not have a fungus infection, and you have to use an anti-inflammatory cortisone to help you with that itching. Certainly you can try over-the-counter hydrocortisone, but as it's a very mild anti-inflammatory medicine, you may need a prescription cortisone to help you with an inflammatory condition.
How do doctors evaluate skin rashes?
When a patient presents with a skin rash, the first thing that is important to have done is a physical examination, so the doctor can locate your skin rash in its entirety, if it is easily diagnosable or not. Some skin rashes need blood work to make the diagnosis. Other skin rashes will need a biopsy to help make the diagnosis, where the doctor takes a sample of the skin and sends it to a lab where pathologists will basically examine that tissue under microscope to help make a diagnosis.
What are some possible medical treatments for skin rashes?
Your doctor can control a rash in numerous ways. The most common in dermatology is to use a topical medication to treat a rash. Other than topical medications, there are systemic medications, meaning medications we take by mouth, by injection form, or intravenous form, less commonly. Moreover, often times dermatologists can use ultraviolet light to treat rashes.
How soon should I see a doctor about a rash that's appeared on my skin?
When you have a rash, and you don't feel comfortable about that rash, you should see your doctor. There's no doubt about that. If you feel like you're wasting your doctor's time and your rash is not getting better, think again. You need to see your doctor. Generally speaking, a rash that is not getting better or worsening, definitely means a trip to your doctor. If you are not feeling well, if you're having: fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, if there's any change in your diet in any way, you should see a doctor. But, if you have a rash that comes and is gone in an hour, and never happens again in your life, chances are your doctor won't be able to tell you what that was either.
