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A rash is a change in the skin which affects its appearance or texture. A rash may be localised to one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change colour, itch, become warm, bumpy, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and therefore treatments for, rashes vary widely. Diagnosis must take into account the appearance of the rash, other symptoms, what the patient may have been exposed to, occupation, occurrence in family members, etc.

Common causes of rashes include:

• allergies, for example to foods, dyes, medicines, insect stings; such rashes are often called hives
• skin contact with an irritant
• infection or reaction to a vaccine
• skin diseases such as eczema or acne
• autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis
• cancer or other disease
• pregnancy
• exposure to sun or heat

Related articles

• Dermatology
• Dermatitis
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis
  • Contact dermatitis
• Poison ivy, stinging nettle

External links

• Guide to rashes on Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003220.htm) - includes photographs
• Rashes on DiscoveryHealth.com (http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/3059.html)

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