A rash is a change of appearance on the skin which can cause redness, bumps, itchiness, dryness, or cracking.

While skin rashes are very easy to spot it can be very hard to diagnose what is causing the rash on the skin. There are many different reasons for rashes on the skin. However the appearance of the rash and the location can tell you what the problem may be. A skin rash that may itch can be poison ivy, chicken pox, scabies, eczema, athletes foot, hives, or an allergic reaction. The most common baby rashes are diaper rashes. Diaper rashes can be treated by using ointments and keeping the area as dry as possible by changing the baby as often as you can.
Poison ivy is caused when the skin comes in contact with a plant that emits urushiol these plants include ivy, oak and sumac.

The exposed area of the skin turns red and becomes inflamed. The skin becomes very tender and then skin itching occurs. The first thing you should do if you come in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac is wash your skin as best as you possibly can to remove any remaining poison that may be on the skin. This will help limit the amount of skin exposed. In mild cases over the counter ointments and anti-itch lotions may counteract the problem. Be careful not to overuse ointments.

In severe cases a doctor prescribed ointment maybe used. Chicken pox is a very itchy skin rash that is also very contagious. Chicken pox affects adults much worse than it does to children so it is better if it is contract as a child as an immunity is built up and you will not contract it again. Most of the time chicken pox is treated from home. Try to limit skin itching. Chicken pox is a common skin rash that effects children. Scabies is caused by a mite that can not survive long without a human host. Scabies is an extremely itchy skin rash and is also contagious as the mites reproduce and can move to another human host with close contact.

The skin may turn red and you may see tiny bug bites wear the mite has burrowed into the skin. You can have scabies for weeks before you even notice a first symptom. Your doctor will prescribe a medicine to rid you of the mites, and wash all your clothing and bedding at high temperatures to kill mites. Skin hives is an allergic reaction that comes on rather abruptly.

This type of body rash tends to be extremely itchy and the rash can be patchy and change very rapidly. Contact your physician as soon as you can, and in extreme cases seek emergency medical help. Skin allergies can occur any where on the body that comes in contact with the allergen. They are normally a dry rash and skin sores can develop if the irritant is not removed.

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