Skin Rashes Treatment in NYC (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem)

Skin Rashes

Skin rashes can affect anyone, regardless of race, age or socio-economic status. When you first notice the rash, have it examined by a highly experienced dermatologist like those at Century Medical and Dental Center in Brooklyn. You need an accurate assessment and targeted treatments to resolve your symptoms and keep them from coming back. Call for an appointment today!

Your skin is the largest and most visible organ of your body. It takes a lot of abuse, works hard to protect you and lets you know when you need to see a doctor regarding an underlying condition. You may not always notice a skin problem right away, but it’s good advice to let your dermatologist monitor your skin regularly — even the skin on your back — especially as you age. Your Brooklyn doctor checks your skin for moles and abnormalities at your physical checkup at least once a year.

Skin rashes may appear due a variety of reasons, from the mundane to the critical. Heat, allergens, infections, medications, hormones and immune system issues may trigger skin rash conditions. Effective treatment stems from finding the underlying cause first, which is exactly what your top rated dermatologist at Century Medical and Dental Center does.

Types and the Possible Causes of Skin Rashes

Your highly trained dermatologist tracks down the cause of any skin rashes you discover or your doctor catches on examination. Some of the different medical issues that rashes indicate include:

• Pityriasis rosacea or Christmas tree rash. An itchy skin rash with a scaly, fine texture, this rash usually appears first on your chest, abdomen or back. The rash usually spreads, and some see a Christmas tree outline in its form. This rash may disappear on its own without treatment in four to 10 weeks, but it can last longer. Medicated lotions help reduce its itchiness and appearance.
• Atopic dermatitis. Appearing on your ankles, feet, hands, neck, upper body or limbs, this dry skin rash leaves skin red and itchy. This chronic condition flares and recedes often, aggravated by harsh detergents or soaps or other underlying dry skin concerns. Creams, lotions and ointments with anti-itch properties can work well against its symptoms.
• Medication reactions. Also called a drug rash, this occurs in response to a prescribed medication such as diuretics or antibiotics. These rashes often get worse after sun exposure. Tiny red spots appear, especially on your trunk, and can spread to cover large areas. Although the rash usually disappears after the drug leaves your system, if the rash accompanies other severe allergic reactions, such as breathing difficulties, seek medical assistance quickly.
• Contact dermatitis. Usually producing a dry, scaly but non-itchy rash, cleansers or harsh chemicals that brush against your skin may raise blisters. Finding and eliminating the source helps clear up your skin.
• Intertrigo. Hot, humid weather or tight clothing can cause your skin to rub itself raw, producing red, sensitive and sometimes painful rashes, especially in your groin area, between your toes, under your arms and under your breasts.
• Heat rash. Like intertrigo, this is also caused by too much heat. A heat rash occurs when something obstructs your sweat glands, keeping them from working properly. The stinging, itchy patches from heat rash usually resolve once the skin cools and clears.
• Psoriasis. An inflammatory disorder, psoriasis causes your skin cells to grow more quickly than normal, which doesn’t allow old skin to slough off correctly. These dead skin cells accumulate, leading to an itchy, dry skin rash with inflamed patches. Ranging in severity from a mild nuisance to a significant disability, this rash sometimes accompanies joint arthritis.
• Rosacea. A long-term, chronic condition with no cure, rosacea produces redness and small red bumps that occasionally produce pus. Your Century Medical and Dental Center dermatologist discusses triggers and treatment options for your symptoms.
• Ringworm. Produced by a fungal infection, ringworm results in scaly, itchy, red circles on your body.
• Shingles. A painful, blistering rash, shingles results from the chickenpox virus. Blisters may erupt across your body, especially on your trunk, resulting in painful ulcers that must dry up before your discomfort ceases.

Treatment Options for Skin Rashes

Treatment depends on the underlying reason behind your symptoms. Some forms of skin rash clear up on their own, when your body has a chance to cool off, or when you remove the irritant or drug. Other skin conditions need more extensive or long-term treatment options. Common treatments include:

• A shingles outbreak requires antiviral medications to help lessen the symptoms and pain. Your doctor may recommend a shingles vaccine if you’re older than 60.
• Antifungal medications work to remove the contagious fungus that causes ringworm.
• Your Brooklyn doctor may suggest light therapy and topical medications for the worst psoriasis symptoms.
• New medications developed also help relieve the accompanying arthritic symptoms.
• Keeping your skin dry and clean helps reduce intertrigo symptoms as well as heat rash concerns.
• Topical medications often help the contact dermatitis that nickel, latex rubber or poison ivy aggravates. Learning the cause of your dermatitis and staying away from it reduces the chance of a reoccurrence.
• Avoidance of certain foods, alcohol, specific skin products and sunlight — as well as a reduction in stress — often helps control your symptoms.

Aftercare for Preventing Future Rashes

Good skin care includes sensitive-skin and medicated moisturizers. Keeping your skin dry and clean minimizes many of the aggravating symptoms of skin rash. Reducing your symptoms, especially of itchy or painful skin rashes, helps you maintain the skin appearance you want to present to the world without discomfort or embarrassment.

Don’t let skin rashes continue, even if you’ve seen them dissolve on their own. Remember they can signal a more serious skin condition. Contact your Downtown Brooklyn general physicians about your skin rashes for the best treatment options available.