Rashes In Adults
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A rash is a noticeable discoloration to the skin color or texture which may last for different amount of time, becoming itchy, scaly, bumpy or inflamed. Rashes in adults are caused by different conditions such as allergies, cosmetic, other forms of medications and diseases.
Causes
It is caused by conditions including contact dermatitis. This occurs when one touches something that causes reaction, beauty products, soaps, dyes in clothing, chemicals in rubber and poisonous plants like poison sumac, ivy and oak. Another cause of rashes in adults is medication leading to drug rash. This comes in the form of an allergic reaction, a side effect and a result of sensitivity to sunshine. Medical disease causes include a long-term disorder of the autoimmune system and a long time inflammation of the joints.
Home remedies
Most contact rashes can be treated at home by using gentle cleaners instead of soap, use of warm water instead of hot water to wash, pat rash dry as opposed to rubbing, avoid covering the rash with clothing in order for it to breathe; and stop the use of any new cosmetics or lotions since they might have triggered the rash.
Avoid scratching the rash in case it itches. Instead, try an over the counter cream that can soothe rashes especially those that are caused by chicken pox and poison sumac. Wash your hair and scalp regularly with dandruff shampoo. This is because dandruffs are commonly caused by oily skin, fatigue, not washing the hair enough or by weather.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of rashes in adults include fever, swollen lymph glands, vomiting, hives, confusion, unconsciousness, abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing or even a severe allergy and life threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Other signs of an autoimmune disorder like lupus may include poor appetite, joint swelling and fatigue.
An individual should seek immediate medical attention if he or she has unrelenting pain or discoloration, tightness of the throat, face swelling, a new rash, fever exceeding 100 degrees F, dizziness, severe neck pain, repeated diarrhea or vomiting, red streaks or has been bitten by a tick.
Prevention
Prevention of rashes in adults depends on the cause of the rash. One should check immunization dates of his children to avoid opportunistic infections. Ensure frequent washing of hands, regular bathing and avoid sharing of personal clothing. Besides, one should wear light-colored clothes that cover most of the skin and contrasts with the dark tick will prevent Lyme. Avoid specific food, cosmetics or drugs that causes allergic reactions, do not take medicine that has been prescribed for someone else. An allergist should offer a desensitization therapy in case one is allergic to insect stings.
Additionally, one may also require a bee sting kit with medications to prevent potentially life threatening reactions due to the stings. When sensitive to chemicals in cleaning products, you should change to laundry soaps and fabric softeners which do not have dyes and colognes. For inflammation as a result of cosmetics, avoid products that contain skin irritating fragrances.
Treatment
This also depends on the cause of the rash for instance, bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, fungal infections treated with antifungal drugs while many viral infections causing rash require no medication as they disappear on their own. Life threatening allergic reactions should be treated immediately with medications that open the narrowed airways and moves up the risky low blood pressure; and ice to relieve swelling and itching. The skin should also be flushed thoroughly using a warm water to get rid of the allergic substance and avoid spreading it over the skin.
References