Every so often, you are likely to have some rashes. These may appear on any part of the skin and come with varying symptoms. They may be red, dry, itchy, or have a combination of these symptoms. While some come and go, others last a little longer. With these mixed reactions, it becomes difficult to tell when a rash could be serious.
If you can’t seem to decide whether the rashes require specialized medical attention or not, here are some considerations to help you decide:
Discomfort
Some rashes will appear on your skin and not be a serious problem while others will. Having an itchy, inflamed, or painful rash on the skin is frustrating and uncomfortable. No matter how minor it may appear, an uncomfortable rash that won’t go away will make you anxious and stress you out. If the rash interferes with your daily activities, causes excessive worrying, or makes you lose sleep, seek specialized treatment from a certified dermatologist in Salem immediately.
Persistent Rash
How long a rash lasts usually depends on its cause and the severity. For example, an allergic rash will appear as soon as you are exposed to allergens and may disappear within hours. In other cases, it may take between two to four weeks in case it results in severe contact dermatitis. Regardless of how long it takes, a rash should get better with time. If this does not happen and the rash lasts for more than two weeks, it is best to see a doctor.
Recurrence
Some breakouts are never cured and their treatment is only geared towards control. However, recurrence may, at times, point out to wrong diagnosis or treatment. In other cases, your skin may become resistant to certain medication. Seeing a specialist will help you get the right diagnosis and help you learn the potential triggers, the different ways of controlling it, and the way your skin should behave in the future.
General Appearance
Some breakouts will come with additional disturbing symptoms. The same may also develop with time. A rash that oozes green or yellow fluid, has crusty scabs, as well as painful, scaly, and warm to touch, is likely to be infected. See a dermatologist for immediate treatment. Blistering and open sores also indicate that you should seek immediate treatment.
When It’s an Emergency
Other additional symptoms to look out for include coverage. If the rash covers the whole body or spreads rapidly, seek help right away. Also, always get immediate help if the rash is accompanied by shortness of breath or comes with a fever. These may be signs of severe conditions, such as measles, scarlet fever, shingles, or anaphylactic shock, which is a severe allergic reaction.
Although they are quite common, most of the times, you can’t really tell what a rash is by simply looking at it. While those that disappear in no time should be no cause for an alarm, be alert on any breakout that lasts a little longer. If you notice any of the above symptoms, or when you are not sure what to make of it, see a certified dermatologist for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
