HOW TO GET RID OF SKIN RASHES WITH NATURAL REMEDIES
A
rash is a word used by doctors to describe a reaction that changes the color,
appearance, and feel of skin. It is not one specific thing. Rathe, it is a wide
range of things, and it can be caused by a host of illnesses, diseases,
allergens, and medical conditions. Being that a rash has many possible causes,
there are likewise a large range of treatments. To diagnose a rash properly,
you may require the assistance of a dermatologist, especially since some rashes
are merely symptoms of a much larger and potentially life-impacting problem. On
the other hand, many rashes simply require a little care and time to heal.
Rashes
can be localized to single part of the body or affect the entire skin surface.
These rashes may affect the skin in many different ways: the skin may change
colors, become itchy, bumpy, dry, cracked, swollen, and/or blistered. In all
rash cases, scratching the itch will make things worse, so often some sort of
antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream is used. Below I have described for you
many of the common rashes. Below that are the most common treatment regimens
for each cause. There may be a lot of similarity between the rashes. So if
you're not sure which one you have, consult a doctor, specifically a
dermatologist.
What Kind of Rash Do You Have?
Rashes caused by contact dermatitis. These are rashes caused by allergens, irritants, or
sunlight. It manifests as a localized rash or irritation of the skin when skin
comes into contact with one of the aforementioned substances. The rash and/or
blister is only present in the epidermis and the outer layer of the dermis.
Contact dermatitis will begin to fade away in a few days after the irritant is
removed. Common irritants are soap, detergents, and skin-cleaning products. And
common
allergens are drugs, poison ivy plants,
poison
oak plants, and poison sumac plants.
Contact dermatitis rashes are large, burning, and itchy. They can take several
days to several weeks to heal.
Rashes caused by viruses, fungus, parasites,
and bacteria. There are a large number of rashes
caused by viruses, fungus, parasites, and bacteria. Chicken pox is caused by a virus called
varicella zoster. When we get older the virus can reactivate and cause
shingles. Scabies, swimmer's
itch, and fleas are all
caused by parasites. Ringworm and athlete's foot
are fungal infections. Impetigo is an
extremely contagious rash caused by a bacterial
infection. Christmas tree rash (pityriasis
rosea) and lichen planus have unclear causes. They could be caused by a virus,
allergy, or even stress, but so
far no pathogen has been isolated as the definite cause.
Miliaria rubra (sweat rash or heat rash)
manifests itself as small and itchy rashes. Miliaria,
or heat rash, is common among citizens of hot and humid climates. Heat rash
occurs when the ducts of sweat glands get plugged with dead skin cells or
bacteria (staphylococcus epidermis). The trapped sweat causes irritation, which
leads to itching and then to a rash of small blisters. These
small blisters called papules may itch and also cause an intense "needles
and pins" sensation. They may also manifest on a number of different areas
on the body, most commonly the face, neck, chest, stomach, and under breasts,
the scrotum, or other skin-folding areas of the body. Click here to read the
full article on How to Get Rid of Heat Rash.
Intertrigo is an inflammation of the skin of
and around body folds. That is
to say places where skin folds back on itself. The condition is caused and made
worse by heat, moisture, friction, low air movement, and maceration. Maceration
is what happens to skin when it is constantly wet; it softens and turns white,
which makes it susceptible to infection. The inflammation is frequently
worsened by an infection of the rash by yeast, bacteria, fungus, or virus. Intertrigo usually occurs around abdominal
folds, under breasts, and in the genital area. Intertrigo most commonly affects
people with either obesity and/or diabetes. Intertrigo in babies is called diaper rash. Click here to
read the full article on How to Get Rid of Diaper Rash.
Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema manifests itself as extremely itchy, thickened
patches of dry skin.
Typically eczema affects the skin behind the knees and in the folds of elbows.
The itching sensation is extremely intense and can drive some people mad.
Babies and children with eczema sweat more than normal. And most infants with
eczema come from a family with a history of having allergy-related
diseases such as hay fever or asthma. Eczema
is very irritating, but for most people, it is only a temporary problem. In
some rare cases, it becomes a serious problem. Click here to read the full
article on How to Get Rid of Eczema.
Common Treatments for Rashes
Contact dermatitis. If you are able to identify the irritant or allergen,
remove it and cease all contact with it. If you are unable to locate the source
yourself, see a doctor. To relieve the itching, try applying a paste made of baking soda
and water, or soaking it in epsom salt. If that doesn't work, use a
hydrocortisone cream. Don't put anything with alcohol in it on the rash, as
alcohol will make it itch more. Cover open blisters with sterile gauze, and
keep the wounds clean. If you have severe contact dermatitis, see a doctor for
a prescription of antihistamine.
Chicken pox or shingles. For chicken pox, keep the kid clean and dry. Use a topical
barrier ointment or lotion containing zinc oxide. Keep the fingernails trimmed
short to reduce damage done by scratching. To relieve the itching, an oatmeal bath may
be of some help. Chicken pox will run its course in about a week. Shingles, on the
other hand, is a much more painful experience. It is something that you will
have to seek some medical attention for. The doctor will prescribe an antiviral
to shorten the time of infection. If the pain is bad enough, the doctor may
even prescribe some painkillers.
Scabies. To
treat scabies, doctors will prescribe an ointment with a 5% solution of
permethrin, malthion, or lindane lotion. Permethrin is the preferred topical
ointment. Apply to skin before bedtime and leave it on for 8‒14 hours. Sulfur,
neem oil, and tea tree oil
are also used to treat scabies, but they don't seem to be very effective.
Swimmer's itch. There is no treatment necessary. It will go away in a couple
days. Just try not to scratch it too much. Use a lotion or cream to relieve
itching.
Ringworm and athlete's foot. Use an anti-fungal treatment like miconazole, terbinafine,
clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and tolnaflate. Apply twice daily for a couple
weeks until it goes away.
Impetigo.
The doctor will prescribe the use of a topical or oral antibiotic. Also, wash
the impetigo with soap and water, and keep it dry.
Christmas tree rash. This usually resolves itself in a few weeks. Just don't
scratch it. If it lasts for over 6 months, go see a doctor.
Lichen planus. This is only serious when it's inside your mouth. See a
doctor in these cases to reduce symptoms and help heal the lesions.
Miliaria (sweat rash or heat rash). The rash will go away on its own if you keep the area
clean, cool, and dry. Also avoid tight-fitting clothing.
Intertrigo.
Keep the rash clean, cool, and dry. Use a baby diaper rash ointment like
Desitin. If the rash persists for several weeks, see a doctor. You may have a
secondary infection.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis. The major problem with eczema is that it itches like crazy.
So the focus of treatment is to relieve this itching through the use of a
hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine. It will also be important to keep
the skin moisturized by using an oil-based lotion. For children with eczema,
bathe them no more than 3 times a week using a bath oil. And keep their
fingernails short to help decrease the amount of damage caused by scratching.
To reduce inflammation, apply a corticosteroid cream or ointment. For severe
cases the doctor may prescribe an ointment with coal tar in it. This may help,
but it will be very messy and stinky.
Instructions
1
Brew a cup of chamomile
tea. Once the tea has cooled, take several cotton pads and soak them in the
tea. Gently rub the soaked cotton pads over your skin rash for immediate
relief. Repeat this process several times per day until your rash has subsided.
2
Apply olive oil directly
onto your skin rash with a cotton pad for relief of itching and skin
irritation. Do not over-apply the olive oil; apply a very small amount with the
cotton pad and allow the skin to dry.
3
Apply aloe vera gel
directly onto a skin rash throughout the course of the day. Reapply the aloe
whenever the rash begins to itch or burn.
4
Combine cod liver oil and
vitamin E gel into a mixture, then rub this mixture directly on your skin rash
using cotton balls. This mixture will provide vital
nutrients
to your skin, which will help heal the rash quickly.
5
Grind 2 holy basil leaves
with 2 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp. of olive oil and 1/2 tsp. of salt. Mix the
ingredients well. Apply directly onto your skin rash with clean hands. Allow
this mixture to soak into your skin for 10 minutes before using a cotton pad to
gently wash it off.
Tips & Warnings
·
Don't cover a body rash in stiff and non-breathable clothing. Wear
light cotton clothing over the rash until it has completely healed. Do not use
harsh cloths to wash the rash, but rather use soft cotton cloths and pads to
wash and apply remedies to the rash.