10 common skin rashes (with photos)

What Is the Most Effective Skin Rash Treatment? | Children's Skin Center PA

Skin rashes can be itchy, unsightly and irritating.

In this article we will demonstrate 10 common skin rashes (with photos). Let us start with a very common skin rash.

1. Acne

  • Over 80% of the people are affected by acne, a skin condition that is very visible among teenagers and adults under the age of 30 years
  • There are several types of acne, from mild to severe. Mild types include blackheads and whiteheads, which are called ‘non-inflammatory acne’
  • Moderate to severe inflammatory pimples include pink pimples that are relatively small and painful. It is a mixture of papules and pustules (swelling with pus at the top and a red base)
  • Acne is considered severe if there are nodules, cysts or scars. Cysts and nodules are large, painful and penetrate deep into the skin
  • Acne is due to blocked skin follicles, leading to oil, bacteria and dead skin build-up in your pores.
2. Eczema

There are many types of eczema (also called ‘dermatitis’, which means skin inflammation)

Classical atopic eczema

  • Dry, rough, red, flaky, inflamed and itchy skin
  • Often affects the inside of the elbow, back of knees, and hands
  • Hair loss may occur in the area with the rash.

Contact dermatitis

contact dermatitis skin rash

  • May resemble a burn; often found on hands and forearms
  • Skin is itchy, scaly, or raw; may have blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty
  • Appears hours to days after contact with an allergen
  • Has visible borders and typically appears where your skin touched the irritating substance.

Seborrheic eczema

  • Yellow or white scaly patches that flake off
  • Affected areas may be red – though they may appear faint on darker skin tones
  • Hair loss may occur in the rash area.

Nappy rash

  • Located on areas that have contact with a nappy
  • Skin looks red, wet, and slightly lighter or darker than typical skin colour
  • May be warm to the touch.
3. Fifth disease

Parvovirus infection - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

  • Parvovirus infection is a common and highly contagious childhood illness
  • Sometimes called ‘slapped-cheek disease’ because of the distinctive face rash that develops. Parvovirus infection has also been known as ‘fifth disease’; because, historically, it was fifth in a list of common childhood illnesses characterised by a rash
  • Symptoms include headache, fatigue, low fever, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhoea, and nausea
  • Children are more likely than adults to experience a rash
  • Usually after the face rash, a lacy-patterned rash may appear on the arms, legs, and upper body and might be more visible after a hot shower or bath.
4. Fleabites
  • Usually located in clusters on lower legs and feet
  • Itchy, small red bumps
  • Symptoms begin immediately after being bitten.
5. Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Adults and Kids: Get the Facts - Riverchase Dermatology

  • Caused by viruses that are part of the enterovirus family,
  • Usually affects children under age 5 years
  • Painful, red blisters in the mouth and on the tongue and gums
  • Flat or raised red spots located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
  • May also appear on the buttocks or genital area.
6. Impetigo

10 Common Questions About Impetigo

  • A bacterial infection typically due to either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Most common in children 2 to 5 years olds but can happen at any age
  • Often located in the area around the mouth, chin, and nose
  • Irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily and form a honey-coloured crust.
7. Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungus not a worm
  • Itchy, circular scaly patches with raised borders
  • On lighter skin tones, the patches can appear pink or red
  • Skin in the middle of the ring appears clearer, and the edges of the ring may spread outward.
8. Rosacea
  • Chronic (long-term) skin disease that goes through cycles of fading and relapse
  • Relapses may be triggered by spicy foods, alcohol, sunlight, stress, and the intestinal bacteria Helicobacter pylori
  • Common symptoms include facial flushing, raised red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness, and skin sensitivity
  • Donald Trump has rosacea.
9. Sunburn

  • Occurs when there is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunlamps
  • The skin turns red, painful, hot to the touch, and may peel away.
10. Tick bite
 Tick

A round, red area, surrounded by a red, ring-shape rash, from Lyme disease. Shown on white skin.

Lyme disease – 70-80% of people will have this rash

  • Painless and causes only minor signs and symptoms, such as a change in skin colour, swelling, or a sore on the skin; rash, burning sensation, or blisters
  • The tick often remains attached to the skin for a long time
  • Bites rarely appear in groups; may look like a target, circular and expanding
  • The rash can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks. It can last for several weeks
  • If there is difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.

Summary

We have described 10 common skin rashes (with photos). We hope it has been useful.

Other resources

What does the skin do (7 functions)?