Skin Rash Treatment: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

There are few medical problems which may not seem like much of a big deal but can turn into one if not attended to. The first thing which comes to the mind might be a toothache, but, there is something else which we tend to ignore and which might cause troubles later. Yes, skin rashes. Skin rashes may come in different forms and each one is as bothering as the other. Here are a few ways in which you can treat your skin rashes. The first and the foremost thing to do when you develop some kind of skin rash is to identify it. There are a lot of types of skin rashes and each one requires a different treatment. Only the correct type of treatment will help you get rid of the rash in a short time. Identifying skin rashes through the symptoms is one of the simplest ways of identification but a doctor’s consultancy is always required as the final verdict.

Skin rashes are the allergic reactions of the epidermal layer with fungus, microorganisms like bacteria, contamination, lack of hygiene, and through physical interaction. The skin rashes may be cured easily and are of many types including:

1. Eczema- The skin develops yellow and white patches that flake off. Probable hair loss in the area of rash.
2. Atopic Dermatitis- Atopic dermatitis is one of the ongoing conditions of the skin that causes the skin to be very red and itchy. It mostly occurs on the moisturized skin which is found majorly in infant and young kids. In most of the cases, this seems as the patches on the hands, feet, ankles, etc. It stops occurring after the midlife.
3. Atopic Dermatitis can be treated by generally avoiding harsher soaps, detergents or the irritants. It is not very easy in adults. Applying creams or lotions can also lessen the symptom.
4. Drug Rash- Drug rash mostly starts within the very first week when a new medication is started with red spots all over it. The spots on the body generally spread over the body and merge which covers the large areas on the body. One should stop taking the drug that has caused the allergic reaction. Controlling the itching for a mild reaction.
5. Intertrigo- Intertrigo is a disease that causes an inflammation to the skin due to the skin friction. It happens mostly in the moist and warm areas of the body. The affected skin might be very sensitive and painful. In a few severe cases, it may cause oozing sores or bleed on the skin.
6. Psoriasis- Psoriasis is the disease which causes by the building up of the scaly and rough skin when the life cycle of the skin increases rapidly. The dead skin accumulation causes a silvery scale, thick and inflamed patches on the skin. It tends to flare up the condition periodically and reduces after time. These are few of the most common types of skin rashes. Once you’ve identified it, you can go for the final treatment.

Various treatment available for skin rash are as follows:

1. Eczema: As for Eczema, it can be treated with medications as prescribed by the doctor. The doctors usually prescribe ointments with steroid hydrocortisone that may help with the itching, redness and swelling that come with the skin rash.
2. Drug Rash: Giving the adult an over the counter antihistamine treats Drug Rash. Using the cool compressors on the area and having the person to take cool showers. Having the person to wear loose clothes may also help.
3. Intertrigo: A barrier cream in most cases is recommended to protect the skin from the irritants. For the treatment of intertrigo, one can usually use a topical steroid for a short-term to reduce the inflammation in the irritating area. If the area is very affected with some kind of fungal or the microbial infection, one can use an antibiotic cream such as the permethrin, luliconazole, clomethiazole, anti-dermatitis, etc.
4. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is not easily curable or in some cases not at all curable. Though, there are methods to ease the symptoms. Using salicylic acid to calm inflammation can be used to cure it.

The eligibility for the treatment for the disease can be best diagnosed by the specialist doctor. It is therefore advised that the patient consults the doctor before undergoing any specific treatment. Doctors on examining the conditions shall decide the eligibility for the treatment. But if any one reporst sympotms of skin itching, redishness, change in skin color, skin pigmentation, burning sensation etc. such patients should immediatley contact the skin specialist. These people are more eligible for the treatment.

Patients who are not having any symptoms related to the diseases or the conditions needed for the treatment are therefore not eligible for the disease. But the best advice can be given by the specialist doctor and therefore it is advised that the patient consults the doctor before the treatment.

Usage of medications like ibuprofen might lead to upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. Although it’s rare, calamine may lead to swelling of the inner throat or tongue. Cortisone might cause Acne, Dry Skin, Insomnia, Bruising of skin, etc. Usage of unsuitable soaps may lead to abnormal peeling of skin, redness and stinging of skin.

Post the treatment, ask your doctor for a follow-up care plan. Visit the doctor regularly if you have recovered from a serious skin rash or else consult them whenever you feel suspicious about the healed rash.

Avoid coming in contact with people who have any kind of contagious infection as that might trigger the just healed skin rash to aggravate. Avoid things that caused the skin rash before. For example, Use of certain drugs, contact with certain flowers or leaves or eating a certain food. Don’t go near other people till a week after the rash heals as the rashes might have a chance of being contagious. Taking care post-treatment is very necessary as rashes which have just healed, tend to relapse.

Healing time for each type of skin rash may vary. Some skin rashes take more time to heal as the source of their origin has more lasting effect than the others. But in general, most of the skin rashes take about one to three weeks to heal depending on their severity. Sometimes due to negligence, the rashes get infected due to the water used to wash them or due to exposure to polluted air. In such cases, rashes may take longer to heal and will require proper medical attention to prevent further aggravation. Hence, very delicate care is to be taken in case of any skin rash.

The general cost of treating skin rash in India isn’t much because non-severe skin rashes can be healed in home itself. Ointments and lotions cost less than Rs.500/- Severe skin rashes that call for expert medical attention may cost a bit more as it requires higher dosage of drugs and the consultation charges will be included which may cost more than around Rs.3000/- But it still is a very reasonable amount given that severe rashes will be attended by experts which will help in the faster healing.

It depends. Sometimes after healing, the rash may need more quarantine period. Within the quarantine period, exposure to polluted water or air might get the infection triggered again. Being careful during the quarantine period will also be helpful for the people around you as there is a chance that even they might catch the infection and will be affected by the same skin disease.

Usually, any medical problem has two kinds of treatments, you treat it at home or you go see a doctor or you can do both. Anyone would first prefer to treat the rashes at home because it is the most convenient and most feasible because symptoms may appear at very odd hours.

The treatment methods for skin rashes are very simple so you might not need any kind of alternative to it. However, some skin rashes heal themselves without being paid much attention to. But that, is only one of the very few cases and it’s not advisable to leave the rash unattended.

Simple ways in which we can treat skin rashes at home

1. Use mild (not scented) soaps on the rashes while bathing.
2. Use lukewarm water to wash them.
3. Keep the rashes open and try not to cover them with Band-Aids or bandages.
4. Use unscented lotions for dry rashes as in the case of eczema.
5. Avoid scratching the rash as doing that might get it infected.
6. Itchy feeling can be subsided by using cortisone creams which are available in stores and are also available online.
7. Calamine can help in soothing the rashes from poison ivy, chickenpox and poison oak.
8. For painful rashes, painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used.

There are home redmies for skin rash. We should keep it in mind that home remedies may not always solve the problem as, aggravated conditions always call for a doctor’s advice. Also, home remedies are not advisable for infants and kids to be done on their own as they may not have a complete understanding of what needs to be done which can cause problems later. Kids and infants should always be given home remedies by an adult. People who are allergic to soaps, dairy, lotions, moisturizers or certain drugs, should not prefer home remedies as most of household treatments require the use of these products.