When you have an itchy, leathery skin rash, your first thought may be allergies.
But a skin rash can be triggered by other factors as well, including fungal or bacterial skin infections.
Skin rashes can look thick and leathery or appear as small pimples or blisters.
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They may appear in different colors and patterns.
This article shows pictures of common itchy skin rashes to help identify them.
It also covers what causes these rashes and how they are treated.
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Atopic Dermatitis
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Atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema, can have different appearances depending on how long it has been present.
For example, acute eczema can include blisters and vesicles containing fluid.
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Subacute eczema present for days to weeks may appear dry and flaky.
Eczema is usually found in the flexural areas of the body where they bend.
Examples include the elbow folds and behind the knees.
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What Is Neurodermatitis?
It can be brought about by intense scratching due to irritation of the nerve endings of the affected skin.
Relieving the itchy symptoms and preventing scratching can help treat neurodermatitis.
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Poison oak responds to treatment with topical steroids.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisappears as thick, silvery scales most commonly found over joint surfaces and the scalp.
Psoriasis has a genetic component.
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Treatment can include topical treatments as well as medications such asbiologicsordisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
This rash is often a result of gluten sensitivity, also called celiac sprue.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is responsive to a gluten-free diet and treatment with dapsone.
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The borders may have flaking or scaling.
Since people are covered in hair follicles, the rash can occur in most places on the body.
They are usually red around the edges and white in the center.
Hives are resulting from histamine release into the skin, which usually only lasts for several minutes to hours.
Urticaria also goes away rapidly with oral antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra, or Claritin.
It is also important to see a provider if your rash appears after you start a new medication.
Topical treatments or medications like antihistamines can help make the rash more comfortable.
See a healthcare provider if your rash disrupts your daily activities or sleep.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Overview: Eczema.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.
National Eczema Association.Managing Itch.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of psoriasis: Can you have more than one?
National Psoriasis Foundation.Treatment & care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Dermatitis herpetiformis.
Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.
2018;14(Suppl 2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-z
National Institutes of Health.Rash decisions.
2019;15(3):275-288. doi:10.1080/1744666X.2019.1560267
