Corresponding treatment for rash will depend on the cause and type of the rash. For rashes generated by virus infection, treatment only targets the symptoms of itching since no medication is yet available to address the virus itself which resolves itself within days or weeks.
There are lotions and other remedies to address itching like calamine lotion or aloe vera gel which bring prompt relief. To ensure that no secondary infections or any scarring can result from scratching, one’s fingernail need to be cut and kept short and clean particularly in young kids.
Cold weather – During the winter season, mild rashes that are exposed to dry and cold weather can turn worse. To prevent this, a skin moisturizer should be applied to the skin to keep the skin from dying up. One can also use over-the-counter or prescribed rash medications like topical ointments and creams, corticosteroids like hydrocortisone or nonsteroidal applications such as Elidel (pimecrolimus) or Protopic (tacrolimus). Using corticosteroids long-term can entail side effects like infections and skin thinning.
- Fungal or bacterial infections – Rashes caused by these types of infections can be addressed by the use of antibiotics which can come in the form of prescription antifungal creams, oral medications or in skin ointments or creams. Also, one can take antihistamines to lessen the itching. An antihistamine causes drowsiness which can be beneficial as it allows the person to get proper sleep particularly when it is taken just before bedtime.
- Phototherapy – This procedure entails the application of A or B ultraviolet light waves to address skin rashes (mild to moderate) in children (12 years old and above) and adults. People with psoriasis can benefit from this type of treatment. Phototherapy is often complemented by a medication named psoralen. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet light may cause patients to suffer side effects like skin cancer or premature skin aging.
If doctors see that the use of topical treatments do not give the desired results on their patients, they (the doctors) may recommend the use of systemic corticosteroids like prednisone. These medications can either be introduced by injection or by mouth rather than applied on the skin. These corticosteroids should be slowly tapered off, are not to be abruptly stopped and are only utilized for short periods of time since their long-term use can lead to side effects like:
- Weakening or thinning of bones
- Skin damage
- Infections
- Elevated levels of blood sugar
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
Eczema, Contact Dermatitis and Allergy Treatment
The treatments for these causes of rash may entail things like medications and lifestyle modifications such as avoidance of exposure to allergen and irritants.
These allergens and irritants may include:
- Metals like nickel
- Weeds
- Cleaning products
- Chemicals
- Soaps
Abstaining from caffeine and alcohol may also be necessary as well as avoidance of swimming pools treated with chlorine, saunas, steam baths and hot tubs may be requirements to prevent your skin from developing rashes.
If you suffer from rashes, you can lessen them by applying wet cold compresses or ice bags to the irritated skin to relieve the itching. You can also use oatmeal soap like Aveeno or take an oatmeal bath.
Allergy shots – People suffering from moderate to severe allergy may need to undergo allergy injections.
Parasitic or fungal infections – For parasites like pubic lice, one needs to address them with a safe and effective pesticide. There are many anti-fungal medications for fungal infections like athlete’s foot. If the rashes have been infected with bacteria then antibiotics should be used.
Anaphylaxis – This severe form of allergic response should immediately be countered by epinephrine injection with the patient immediately sent to the hospital for close monitoring.
Besides the already aforementioned treatments, here is a list of several forms of treatments for rash.
- Regular cleaning of the skin with warm water
- Acyclovir
- Fluconazole
- Griseofulvin
- Antifungal drugs
- Triamcinolone
- Chlorpheniramine
- Diphenhydramine
Dermatitis Treatments
- Vitamin B6
- Manganese
- Biotin
- Corticosteroids
- Calamine lotion
Alternative Treatments for Rash
- Ayurvedic therapy including herbs and tea
- Nambudripad’s allergy elimination technique
- Hua Tuo – Chinese herbal medication
- Horsetail compress
- Acupuncture in Overland Park
- Tikta ghrita
- Herbal tea – Burdock tea
- Triphala
- Blood donation
- Yoga
Medications and Drugs for Rash:
- Chamomile
- Nupercainal HC 1% scalpicin
- Medicated towelettes (Massengill)
- Lanacort
- Poison ivy exfoliant and treatment (Ivy State dual action)
- Ivy Soothe
- Hytone
- Gynecort anti-itch
- Dermarest (eczema medicated), dricort
- Cortizone – 5, 10, 10 Plus, 10 Quick Shot
- Cortixaine
- Cortaid – Sensitive skin w/aloe, maximum strength, intensive therapy
- Caldecort – regular, light
- Aveeno anti-itch
- Saint John’s Wort
- Eogerm ointment
- Ichthammol ointment
- Fenugreek
- Paraderm – Regular, plus
- Fungo Soothing Balm
- Bufexamac
- Lida-Mantle HC
- Hydrocortisone
- Lidocaine
- Cordran – Regular, SP
- Flurandrenolide
- Topsyn
- Tiamol
- Lydonide
- Lyderm
- Lidemol
- Fluocinonide
- Lidex – Regular, E
- Cloderm
- Clocortolone
- Novo-Clobetasol
- Gen-Clobetasol
- Dermovate
- Embeline – Regular, E
- Cormax
- Clobex
- Clobevate
- Clobetasol
There are also some medications and drugs for the treatment of rash that are unlabeled. They include:
- Antabuse – This is a drug the specifically is designed to address dermatitis caused by allergen reaction to metal like nickel
- Disulfiram – A drug that also is designed to treat dermatitis caused by nickel exposure
There are more recent drugs, medications and procedures developed for rash treatment. They include:
- Cyclosporine
- Azathioprine
- Methotrexate
- Goeckerman regimen
- Topical tricyclic doxepin
- Topical immunomodulators