How Serious Is Your Skin Rash?

Are you living in Brisbane and recently develop a strange-looking raised or flat skin rash? Wondering why an existing skin rash that you once thought was harmless won’t go away? Are you curious to know why do you develop a rash every time you are exposed to a specific food item or an external condition?

Well, although the skin is the most superficial organ of the body, any lesion developing on any part of your skin shouldn’t be underestimated.

During Brisbane summers, with people mostly engaging in outdoor activities, the sun exposure leads to the infamous skin rash commonly known as the sunburn. But, there is an array of other types of rashes that you need to know about to stay safe from any untoward complication.

Here’s a list of common conditions causing skin rashes in Brisbane:

• Hives: Also known as urticaria, hives are the most prevalent form of skin rash during Brisbane winter months presenting itself as raised red patches with an itchy sensation. Individuals who are allergic to specific types of proteins like fish, dairy, or certain sugars, or even heat or sweat are susceptible to developing hives.
• Eczema or atopic dermatitis: This condition is more chronic and may even begin at birth. Allergic in nature, eczema can also linger on for years. The symptoms range from mild irritation to intense itching, crusting or oozing with honey like fluid. Most frequent sites of these bumpy, raised skin rashes are the thin skin like eyelids, elbows, knees etc.
• Pityriasis rosea: Pityriasis rosea is a viral condition commonly developing in autumn or spring months presenting as a large, red, oval, and scaly spot called the herald patch followed by a cluster of smaller patches confined to the upper body. A self-healing condition, it clears up itself within two months.
• Heat rash: As the name suggests, prickly heat arises due to sweat or heat accumulated in areas such as armpits, under the breasts, back, groin, elbow and knee crooks etc. It shows as a tiny, red rash with a prickling or itchy sensation due to clogged sweat ducts.
• Skin cancer: In Australia, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer owing to the tropical climate with high intensity of UV radiation. If you notice a change in an existing mole or a new spot especially on the back, arms and face, report to your skin doctor immediately. They can have an irregular shape, generally larger than a regular mole and may itch or even bleed.

Apart from the general measures and medications prescribed by your doctor, it is advisable to limit your sun exposure to prevent certain skin diseases. If you are a Vitamin-D deficient individual, you should make yourself aware of the Symptoms and Treatment Of Vitamin D Deficiency and proceed with the best measures.

Certain other febrile conditions such as dengue and typhoid can also cause the skin to develop a rash, although these are short-lived and self-limiting.

A physical examination, a blood test and in some cases, or a biopsy determines the cause and prognosis of long-standing skin disease. There is no need to panic, but to know when to visit a dermatologist is imperative.