Rashes

When a rash seems to appear out of nowhere, finding answers can help alleviate the itching and swelling. Expert dermatologists Kunal Angra, MD, and Divya Angra, MD, and the team provide detailed testing to find out what causes your rashes and can treat your skin condition with individualized care at Sapphire Dermatology in Silver Spring, Maryland, or Reston, Virginia. Call either office to book an exam today, or schedule online at your convenience.

How can I tell if I have a rash?

Rashes are visible inflammation on your skin that can itch or burn. Not all rashes look alike, but you can expect to see some redness or swelling. 

Some common features of rashes are:

• Redness
• Bumps
• Spots or blotches
• Dryness
• Cracking
• Swelling
• Flakes or scales
• Warmth radiating from the rash

In some cases, rashes lead to blisters and raw skin. The team at Sapphire Dermatology encourages you to avoid scratching your rash, even if it itches, so you don’t break the skin. Raw or bleeding skin is vulnerable to infection as bacteria can enter your body through these openings. 

Where did my rash come from?

Even when a rash seems to appear spontaneously and for no reason, there is some underlying explanation for it. Some rashes appear in response to irritants and allergens while others come from chronic or acute conditions. 

If you have a chronic or autoimmune condition, you may be more sensitive to irritants. Your dermatologist can work with you on identifying your triggers so you can avoid them and minimize the number of rashes you get. 

Conditions that commonly cause rashes are:

• Allergies and sensitivities
• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Certain plants, like poison ivy

The team at Sapphire Dermatology examines your skin and conducts diagnostic testing to discover the underlying cause of your rash so they can treat it accordingly. 

How are rashes treated?

Rash treatment can involve acute care to alleviate symptoms as well as chronic care to control allergies and other long-term conditions that cause rashes. Some rashes go away on their own with minimal or no clinical treatment.

The team at Sapphire Dermatology may recommend or prescribe topical medications or products to soothe your skin and reduce inflammation. 

Gentle moisturizers and lotions can often alleviate symptoms, and stronger products containing ingredients like cortisone that have anti-inflammatory properties can reduce swelling. Antihistamines, a class of medication commonly prescribed for allergies, can alleviate the itching. 

The Sapphire Dermatology team urges you to also practice home care, such as taking oatmeal baths, using gentle skin care products, and avoiding hard scrubbing of the skin. 

If you or your child has a rash that doesn’t disappear within a day, call Sapphire Dermatology or schedule a treatment consultation online at either office.