 |
|
- insect bite - usually on exposed skin and itchy. You may see a red central "bite" mark
- strawberry nevus (hemangioma) - bright red present shortly after birth. Read more
- inflamed epidermoid cyst - an epidermoid cyst is a smooth round lump just below the surface of the skin. Often small (pea-sized) and occurs on face, neck, chest and back. When inflamed it looks red
- erythema nodosum - painful red tender lumps most often on the shins. Can be associated with other conditions (including infection) and medications
Top
Red and Non-Scaly Rash that is Flat
The diagnosis of your skin rash or your baby or toddler's skin rash if it is red and non-scaly may be:
- toxic erythema - common harmless red rash in babies. Read more
- measles and other erythematous rashes - see the main child skin rash page if your child has a red rash
- urticaria - an allergic rash with wheals. It is very itchy. Read more
- erythema multiforme - self-limiting red rash with multiple forms, including red spots, welts and occasionally blisters
- cellulitis - inflammation of the skin making it warm and tender to touch - requires antibiotics for treatment
- purpura or petechiae- purple or red rash that doesn't blanch on pressure. Read more
- reaction to medication - can look like any of the above red rashes
- Stevens Johnson Syndrome - this serious skin problem can start with a red / purple rash that then blisters or peels. It is usually associated with involvement of the mouth and/or eyes. It can be a reaction to medication. See your doctor for any rash that causes large blisters or peeling of the skin leaving it looking raw
Custom Search
Red and Scaly
If you are asking "diagnose my skin rash" and the rash is red and scaly, the answer may be:
- eczema - a dry itchy rash. Read more
- candidiasis - caused by a yeast infection and also known as thrush. Often seen in babies in the diaper (nappy) area. Read more
- ringworm - tinea - fungal infection usually with a circular area with scales in the middle. On head, get bald patches with hair that breaks easily. Head infections (tinea capitis) require oral treatment whereas body infections (tinea corporis) can be treated with creams
- seborrheic dermatitis - greasy rash especially in infants and after puberty affecting face and scalp. Read more
- impetigo - commonly called school sores, these occur on the face and have golden crusts. Read more
- psoriasis - red scaly patches on skin (can look silvery). Can also affect the joints and nails
- lupus - characteristic butterfly rash across the cheeks and upper nose. Very sensitive to sunlight
- pityriasis rosacea - seen in 10-35 year olds. Starts with a large pink patch on chest or back and then within a week or two there are more pink patches on arms, legs, chest and back (often in a Christmas tree pattern). Worse after exercise or bathing. Can be itchy
- lichen planus - shiny flat-topped bumps anywhere on the body. Usually in 30-70 year olds. Cause is unknown
- herpes simplex - blisters usually on corner of mouth or lips. Read more
- varicella zoster (chickenpox) - A common childhood infection with spots that become blisters and then crust over. Read more
- scabies - an intensely itchy rash that usually starts in the finger webs
- dermatitis herpetiformis - very itchy chronic rash (usually in adults) with bumps and blisters on elbows, knees, back and buttocks in a symmetrical distribution. Linked with gluten intolerance
- pompholyx - a type of eczema that affects the hands and occasionally the feet. First the skin blisters (these are very itchy) and then the skin peels off and is very dry
- impetigo - commonly called school sores, these occur on the face and have golden crusts. Read more
- contact dermatitis - irritation of the skin due to contact with foreign substances. It often causes a red itchy rash with blisters
- erythema multiforme - self-limiting red rash with multiple forms, including red spots, welts and occasionally blisters
- pemphigoid and pemphigus - Usually occurs in older people and is tense blisters. There is an underlying problem in the immune system (usually autoimmune)
- Stevens Johnson Syndrome - this serious skin problem can start with a red / purple rash that then blisters or peels. It is usually associated with involvement of the mouth and/or eyes. It can be a reaction to medication. See your doctor for any rash that causes large blisters or peeling of the skin leaving it looking raw
- acne - includes white heads, black heads and pimples and is associated with blocked sweat glands
- bacterial folliculitis - inflammation of the hair follicles causing pus-filled pimples at the base of the hair shaft
- bacterial infection - often associated with a yellow crust or pus
Raised and Solid and Non-red
To diagnose my skin rash if it is raised but not red, it might be:
- wart - small growth with rough surface, usually on hands or feet
- corn - thickened skin on foot in an area of pressure
- actinic keratosis - occurs usually on the face in elderly people after sun exposure. Is flat and scaly
- seborrheic keratosis - wart-like growths which can be a variety of colors. Usually painless and in people over 40 years of age
- epidermoid cyst - smooth round lump just below the surface of the skin. Often small (pea-sized) and occurs on face, neck, chest and back
- skin cancer - basal and squamous cell carcinoma - in adults. Bump or red scaly patch in skin exposed to the sun that bleeds easily and doesn't heal well
- lipoma - benign growth made up of fatty tissue which is soft, mobile under the skin and painless
- molluscum contagiosum - infection causing pearl like lumps. Read more
- milia - tiny white bumps on forehead, nose and cheeks of newborn. Read more
- sebaceous gland hyperplasia - harmless small cream or white colored solid lumps usually on the face
- pityriasis alba - usually seen in children is seen in areas of inflammation where the skin loses its pigment and becomes dry and flaky. Usually has disappeared by adulthood
- pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) - flaky discolored patches mainly on chest and back. Can be a variety of colors including white, pink or light brown. More common in hot climates
- vitiligo - loss of pigment in the skin so it looks completely white usually with an irregular border. Flat and non-painful. More noticeable in darker skinned people
- hypopigmentation after an inflammatory response - temporary loss of skin pigment after an inflammatory condition such as eczema
Brown and Flat
Want to diagnose my skin rash when it is brown and flat, here are some causes:
Remember the links on the "Diagnose My Skin Rash" page give more detailed information on those rashes in children.- freckle - small spots of melanin pigment (brown)
- mole - colored spot on skin that can be flat or raised, round or oval. Can initially look like a freckle but it generally darker in color
- cafe-au-lait patch - benign colored patches that look a light brown (like coffee with milk) and can be associated with other diseases (eg. in neurofibromatosis there are more than 5 large cafe-au-lait patches). More frequent in African-American or Afro-Caribbean populations
- hyperpigmentation - darker areas of skin often seen after inflammation, with some diseases or medication
- melanoma - most have a black-blue area with irregular border. They increase in size or change color or shape. They are the most serious form of skin cancer
- giant nevus (birthmark) - large moles usually present from birth and hairy. Usually removed surgically as there is a risk of them developing cancer especially if they are large (more than 20 cm in diameter)
When to Seek Medical Attention
See your doctor urgently for any rash that causes:
- large blisters or peeling of the skin leaving it looking raw
- fevers and general unwellness
- serious involvement of the mouth, eyes or genital region
Custom Search
References for "Diagnose My Skin Rash"
- Lynch P, Edminster SC. Dermatology for the Nondermatologist: A Problem-Oriented System. Ann Emerg Med. 1984; 13(8):603-606
To go to the top of the Diagnose My Skin Rash page, click here
To go to the main Skin Rash page, click here
To return to the Home page, click here
Last reviewed 4 October 2007
 | We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here. |
