Skin rash is an abnormal skin condition which is accompanied by other symptoms. These rashes can appear on any part of the body, and it can appear in various forms like pimples, scales, or itchy skin. Skin rash can be a consequence of one or more underlying conditions like infections, allergy, insect bites, medical conditions, and direct or indirect contact with an allergy trigger. Sometimes, people recover from skin rashes automatically, and at other times, they require medical attention. It is a common condition observed in all age groups, from children to seniors. It is essential to know about the common causes of skin rashes to avoid this condition and to treat it.

Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common causes of skin rashes. This type of rash appears when the skin comes in direct contact with an external substance that leads to an intense and adverse reaction like a rash. The rash may be itchy, red, swollen, bumpy, or inflamed. A few factors may lead to contact dermatitis:

• Beauty products, cosmetics, soaps, and laundry detergent
• Dyes used in clothing
• Formaldehyde resins, which are useful in making fabrics waterproof and resistant to wrinkles and shrinkage
• Products that contain latex and other chemicals
• Henna, tattoos, hair dye, perfume, and deodorant
• Touching or handling poisonous plants like poison sumac, poison ivy, or poison oak

Medications
Taking certain medications may also result in rashes due to:

• An allergic reaction to the medication
• A side effect of taking the medication
• Photosensitivity due to the current medication

Other causes
A few other underlying causes may lead to skin rashes:

• A skin rash might appear due to a bug bite, such as a flea bite. Tick bites are of particular concern because these rashes could be contagious.
• Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder which results in redness on the face, mainly in the T-zone. There are various types of rosacea, but all of them lead to the symptoms of redness and rash on the face.
• Diaper rash is a common skin condition that infants and toddlers face due to the use of diapers for a long time. It causes redness and a wet feeling on the skin.
• Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that can cause a scaly, itchy, red rash which appears on the scalp, elbows, and joints. Psoriasis occurs due to the rapid build-up of cells on the surface of the skin.
• Scabies is an infestation by tiny mites that stay and set into an individual’s skin. It leads to the development of a bumpy, itchy rash that requires medical attention.
• Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that leads to a rash on different parts of the face like the cheeks and nose. This rash is known as a “butterfly,” or malar rash.

Causes of rashes in children
Measles, scarlet fever, hand-foot disease, fifth disease, impetigo, Kawasaki disease, and diaper rash are the major causes of skin rash in the children.

Dermatologists can diagnose skin rashes with a simple inspection, and in severe cases, they provide medication to treat it.