Health Watch by Sherry Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



Normally the topics for these articles are based on what customers ask us. Lately, we have had a several questions about rashes, thus this week’s column.

Healthy skin provides a barrier between the inside of the body and the outside environment. It’s hard to realize this, but your skin is really an organ.

Often we think of organs as only being things inside our bodies like the liver, kidneys or heart, but in reality your skin is the largest and heaviest organ of your body. A rash means some change has affected the organ, and it is responding to the attack.

A rash can be defined as an area of irritated or swollen skin. It might be red and itchy, bumpy, scaly, crusty or blistered. Rashes can be the symptoms of many different medical conditions.

Some of the more common causes of rashes include other diseases, irritating substances, allergies and even your genetic makeup.

Rashes are generally a minor problem and may go away with home treatments. In some cases, the rash can become so irritated that medical care may be necessary.

In adults and older children, rashes are often caused by contact with a substance that irritates the skin. This type of rash is known as “contact dermatitis.” The rash usually starts within 48 hours of the contact with the irritating substance.

Contact dermatitis may cause mild redness of the skin or an area of small red bumps. A more severe reaction may cause swelling, redness and large blisters. The location of the rash may give you a good clue to the cause.

Common causes of contact dermatitis include:

• Poisonous plants such as poison ivy or sumac

• Soaps, detergents, shampoos, perfumes, cosmetics or lotions

• Jewelry or fabrics

• New objects in the home, toys, tools, appliances

• Latex (Latex allergies can be quite severe)

A rash can be the result of a viral infection, such as herpes, fungal infections such as yeast, or bacterial infections such as impetigo or a sexually transmitted disease. Rashes can also appear as symptoms of a much more serious disease such as liver disease, kidney disease or some type of cancer.

A rash can also appear after exposure to an insect or a parasite such as scabies. If you develop a rash after hiking in a rural area, working in the yard or camping this should be considered when diagnosing the cause of the rash.

A rash can also be a sign of a chronic skin problem such as acne, eczema or psoriasis. Even your emotions, such as frustration or embarrassment, may lead to a red itchy rash.

The need for medical treatment often depends on what other symptoms are present in addition to the rash. A rash that occurs with symptoms such as shortness of breath or fever, may mean other problems are present such as a serious allergic reaction or infection.

Even though most rashes are minor irritations, there are occurrences where immediate medical attention is required. If you experience any of the following, medical intervention is recommended:

• Signs of shock

• Moderate to severe difficulty in breathing (wheezing or tightness of the chest)

• Rapid swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, eyelids or face

• Drooling and an inability to swallow

• A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the same allergen in the past

• A rash that has blisters or blood spots under the skin

• A change in mental status such as confusion, irritability, or extreme sleepiness.

As stated earlier, most rashes go away without medical treatment. Often home treatment can relieve the pain and itching until the rash heals. If a rash develops, leave it alone as much as possible. Following these instructions is normally all that is necessary:

• Use soap and water sparingly

• Leave the rash exposed to air as much as possible

• Don’t scratch

The exception is, if you are sure you have been in contact with a substance such as poison ivy, poison oak or sumac, immediately wash the area with large amounts of water.

Since spring is the season that we all move our activities from inside to outside, we are all exposed to more substances that can result in rashes.

In next week’s article we will address home remedies and drug options for the relief of the discomfort and treatment of rashes.

Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with her husband, Steve Mullenix (R.Ph). They can be reached at 631-1201.