Rashes can be itchy, bumpy, stinging, blistering, spreading or nearly unnoticeable. There are so many types of skin rashes that it can be tough to know exactly which one you're dealing with — or how serious the rash is.
There are actually more than 3,000 skin diseases out there, Dr. Nada Elbuluk, an associate professor of clinical dermatology at the USC Keck School of Medicine, tells TODAY.com.
Many of those conditions present as similar-looking rashes. But people living in different areas of the world or from different ethnic groups may be more likely to experience some skin issues than others.
Contact dermatitis, eczema, hives, rosacea and psoriasis are some of the rashes that dermatologists see most often, Dr. Shari Lipner, associate professor of clinical dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells TODAY.com.
Seborrheic dermatitis, which manifests as flaky dandruff and scaly red patches on the scalp, is also a common sight for Dr. Shasa Hu, who practices in humid Miami, Florida.
Seasonally, Hu's office also sees waves of pityriasis rosea, a rash that can be triggered by viral infections, says Hu, an associate professor in the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
With so many different types of rashes that look similar — yet require different treatments, it's important to get some rashes diagnosed by a professional, Lipner says. For instance, "rosacea looks a lot like acne because you can get bumps on the face, but it's actually different and it's treated differently," she explains.
You don't need to see a doctor every time you get a red, itchy rash, but there are some red flags that indicate it's worth getting checked out, the experts say.
What to look for when deciphering a rash:
When diagnosing a rash, doctors and dermatologists look for a few specific clues.
Those signs include:
- When the rash started and anything that changed at the same time. For example, did you start using a new skin-care product or taking a new medication around that time?
- Symptoms that occur with the rash. For instance, is the rash itchy, burning or raised? Do you have any systemic symptoms along with the rash, such as a fever?
- Whether the patient has a history of certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, that may be affecting their skin.
- Where the rash erupts on the body. Is it just in one location, like your face or one arm, or has it spread to multiple parts of the body?
- What were you doing before the rash developed? Sometimes people can develop rashes after spending time outdoors or traveling, or they may be exposed to allergens through their job, for example.
If this information isn't enough to decipher the rash, Elbuluk says, a dermatologist may want to perform a skin biopsy to look for other identifying signs or to help rule out other conditions.
Rashes can look different depending on your skin tone
"Typically when skin is inflamed, it can sometimes be warm and red," explains Elbuluk, who is also the founder and director of the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program.
But that inflammation is often only noticeable in lighter skin. In people with darker skin tones, that inflammation may look more purplish, dark brown or reddish brown, Elbuluk explains.
"In a darker skinned person, you can't appreciate that redness as well because ... if someone has more melanin, that melanin is masking a lot of the redness," she says. For that reason, "the markers that we use for inflammation to diagnose conditions and to assess disease severity are different in darker skin," she adds.
So, keep in mind that the same skin condition —everything from psoriasis and eczema to a simple bug bite — may look a little different in people with different skin tones.
How to manage skin rashes at home
If your rash is mild or the result of a condition you've experienced before, you'll likely be able to manage it at home.
Start with over-the-counter treatments first. For instance, if your skin looks dry, use a gentle moisturizer, Hu advises, and if the rash itches, use an over-the-counter cortisone cream for a week.
But if the rash isn't getting better after that or if it's getting worse, you should see a dermatologist, Hu says.Additionally, if this type of rash is new to you or you're not sure what it is, it's worth getting an expert's guidance.
The challenge is that many rashes "can look similar to each other, (but) sometimes they can be very different diagnoses and have different causes," Elbuluk says. For example, some rashes have genetic components while others may be related to environmental exposures, she says. "Part of our job is to help tease apart those different things."
When to seek immediate medical care for a rash
There are a few cases that warrant guidance from a medical professional quickly.
- Cellulitis. This bacterial infection of the skin can be dangerous if left untreated, Elbuluk says. "The bacteria could spread and even get into your bloodstream, which can be life-threatening," she explains.
- Tick bites. Because ticks can spread diseases, such as Lyme disease, it's important to get seen quickly for certain tick bites, Elbuluk says. If needed, your doctor can prescribe prophylactic treatment to help prevent disease.
- Drug rashes. Some drug rashes appear as minor patches of pink skin, Hu says. But a few rare drug rashes — toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome — come on suddenly, often with a fever and joint pain, she says. These are considered emergencies and need medical attention quickly.
- If have a suppressed immune system or certain underlying conditions, like diabetes, and develop a rash, you "should really just see a dermatologist right away because (you) are at higher risk for certain fungal infections," Hu says.
- If your rash is severely painful or spreading quickly, no matter what, you should get checked out.
To help you decipher what may be going on with your skin, here are some skin rash pictures. These photos include both common rashes as well as rarer conditions to have on your radar.
Skin rash pictures
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
What it looks like:
The term eczema actually refer to several conditions that all cause inflamed skin, the American Academy of Dermatology explains. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, and sometimes people use the terms interchangeably.
"Mild eczema may be just a small patch of itchy, drier, reddish or pink skin that has a little texture to it," Hu explains. When it's more severe, eczema can cause itchy, thick, scaly and blistered skin, the AAD says.
Many people who have eczema developed it in childhood, Hu says. But it's also possible to get eczema later in life.
Other symptoms:
Along with the rash, atopic dermatitis can cause itchiness and dryness. It can also cause skin to feel warm and swollen. After the rash heals, the skin may have a discoloration to it, the AAD says.
Seborrheic dermatitis
What it looks like:
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is the technical term for what we colloquially call dandruff, Hu says. "We see this (condition) almost every day," she adds.
The condition causes inflamed patches of skin that can look like a rash, Elbuluk says. Those areas of skin may feel dry, scaly or itchy, and can flake off.
Other symptoms:
People assume they can only develop seborrheic dermatitis on their scalp. "But people don't know that this condition commonly also moves down to affect the eyebrows," Hu explains.
You may also notice some patches of seborrheic dermatitis around the nose or near chest hair, she adds.
Psoriasis
What it looks like:
Psoriasis, another inflammatory condition that dermatologists see frequently, is known to causes scaly, itchy areas of thickened skin called plaques that can look like rashes.
"Typically, patients will get these red plaques with silvery scales," Lipner says. "In patients with darker skin, the plaques tend to be more purplish or brown, and the scales can be more gray rather than silver."
These plaques most often appear on the elbows, knees and scalp, but psoriasis can also affect the nails.
Psoriasis rashes typically go through cyclical periods of flare-ups, which can last for weeks or months, the Mayo Clinic says.
Other symptoms:
In addition to the skin, psoriasis can sometimes also affect the joints. When this happens, it causes a condition called psoriatic arthritis that leads to swelling, stiffness and pain, the AAD explains.
That's another reason it's important to get your skin checked out if you think you may have psoriasis. "Sometimes your skin is a reflection of what's going on inside your body," Elbuluk says.
Acne
What it looks like:
Dermatologists see acne frequently and it can often look like a rash, they say.
“It is common in adolescents and teenagers, but it’s not just a skin condition for young people,” Lipner says. “We see plenty of adults with acne, and they’re often surprised that they have it.”
When hair follicles get clogged with dirt, dead skin and bacteria, pimples form. Acne manifests as small red, raised bumps on the face, some of may have a white head.
Some people find that their acne is triggered or exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, stress and some foods.
Other symptoms:
Some types of acne, like cystic and nodular acne, are deeper, painful bumps that don't have a head. You can also develop rash-like acne on other parts of the body, such as the chest and shoulders, the Mayo Clinic says.
Rosacea
What it looks like:
A common inflammatory condition, rosacea causes patches of redness on the face or a general "flushed" look, Lipner explains.
There are different types of rosacea, each of which can cause its own set of symptoms, such as acne-like bumps, broken blood vessels or a swollen and and red nose. The symptoms of roscea are often triggered by certain activities, like exercise, or environmental factors, such as cold air or allergens.
Other symptoms:
The most obvious symptom of rosacea is the redness. But the condition can also cause skin to feel more sensitive. And, when the symptoms are triggered, there may also be a stinging or burning sensation in the skin. Over time, the skin may also thicken.
Contact dermatitis
What it looks like:
Contact dermatitis comes in two forms: irritant and allergic dermatitis.
You may develop irritant contact dermatitis if your skin comes in contact with something that causes inflammation, Lipner says. For instance, you may notice redness and itchiness if soap or sweat builds under a tight watch band or ring, she says. This is the result of irritation, but not an allergy.
On the other hand, allergic contact dermatitis develops when you have an allergic reaction to something that touches your skin. Common examples include poison ivy and nickel allergies, Lipner says. These rashes "tend to be very linear and they can blister," she adds.
In both cases, you'll only see the rash in the area of your skin that came in contact with the irritating substance. With a nickel allergy, for instance, "you'll see it where the button of the jeans would be," Lipner says, "so it'd be a circular area around the belly button."
Other symptoms:
A contact dermatitis rash can leave the skin itchy, raised and dry. The skin might also develop hives or blisters and feel stinging or burning.
Pityriasis rosea
What it looks like:
After you see your first case of pityriasis rosea, you'll never forget it, Hu says.
The characteristic rash starts with a central circular or oval-shaped area, known as the "herald patch," Hu explains. "Then, within a week or two, people notice it spreading throughout the body." While the rash typically does not affect the face, it can spread to the arms and trunk.
In its earlier stages, people may see the rash and assume they have a case of ringworm, Hu says.
Pityriasis rosea can also mimic a secondary syphilis rash, Hu says. However, while syphilis-related rashes can affect the palms and soles, pityriasis rosea typically does not. That's why dermatologists often check those areas of skin first when a patient comes in with a skin issue like this, Hu says.
It's also important to note that, while pityriasis rosea rash can be alarming, it's not contagious. Syphilis-related rashes, however, are contagious. So it's crucial to get a proper and prompt diagnosis, Hu says.
Other symptoms:
While the rash may be alarming, Hu says, it doesn't typically itch or burn. Sometimes, people with pityriasis rosea report feeling mild cold-like symptoms before the rash appears, such as sore throat or fever.
Some experts believe the condition can also be triggered by certain viral illnesses, but the link isn't certain, Hu adds.
Mosquito bites
What they look like:
If you're bitten by a mosquito, you'll likely notice raised areas of skin — especially on areas that were uncovered where the bugs may have gotten to you. Additionally, you may even see them biting you or buzzing around, which can give you a clue as to what may have caused your insect bite.
Mosquito bites are typically itchy inflamed bumps that appear within minutes of the bite, the Mayo Clinic explains. They can also manifest as a hive-like spot that forms within 24 hours of the bite, or small blisters.
Other symptoms:
For most people, the itchy, raised bite will be the only symptom of a mosquito bite. But, for those who are allergic to mosquito saliva, more severe reactions sometimes called "skeeter syndrome" can occur, the Mayo Clinic says.
In those cases, people may experience large areas of swelling, changes in skin color and texture, warmth in the area, itchiness, pain and fever, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Tick bites
What they look like:
Tick bites often aren't easy to spot, experts told TODAY.com previously. “When (ticks are) biting people, ticks have factors in their saliva that prevent pain, clotting and an immune reaction,” said Matt Frye, Ph.D., an entomologist and educator with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University. "So you may never see any evidence of the tick bite.”
If you do develop a skin response to a tick bite, it may present as a small, itchy bump that's similar to a mosquito bite, the Mayo Clinic says.
It's important to monitor yourself for tick bites if you spend time in areas where ticks live because these tiny creatures can spread certain diseases. Notably, tick-borne Lyme disease may present with a bullseye rash, which develops within 30 days of the bite, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Other symptoms:
Tick bites on their own aren't necessarily going to cause further symptoms. But tick-borne diseases contracted through a bite can cause flu-like symptoms, such as headache, fever, joint and muscle pain or stiffness and extreme fatigue.
Bed bug bites
What they look like:
Bed bug bites may look like many other bug bites and skin rashes, experts told TODAY.com previously. Typically, they appear as red, inflamed, raised bumps on the skin that can be itchy.
The bites may appear in a linear fashion, called a "breakfast, lunch and dinner" pattern. And bed bugs often bite in areas that are close to the surface that they're walking on, such as the arm that's closest to your mattress.
Other symptoms:
Along with the bumps, bed bug bites can lead to insomnia and mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, experts said.
Rarely, people may have more severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites, which can lead to itchiness in areas they weren’t bitten, trouble breathing and swelling of the lips and tongue. Symptoms like these indicate a potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis that requires immediate medical attention.
Hives
What they look like:
A hives rash, also called urticaria, typically appears as raised, inflamed, itchy welts on the skin. They can each be separate, appear in clusters or merge into a larger swollen bump.
"These look like very juicy red plaques, and they tend to be very itchy," Lipner says. "The hallmark of these is that they come and go within 24 hours. So one will appear, and it will disappear."
If you're not sure if you have hives, you can draw a mark around one of the bumps and see if it goes away within a day, Lipner says. However, new bumps can continue to develop.
Other symptoms:
Hives can present as an allergic reaction to something, like pollen or certain foods, so you may have other allergy-related symptoms along with the hives.
Keratosis pilaris
What it looks like:
Keratosis pilaris causes small harmless bumps that are sometimes referred to as "chicken skin." The bumps may be raised and flesh-colored or red and pimple-like, the AAD explains. And the condition most often appears on the upper arms and the backs of the thighs.
Other symptoms:
The bumps may cause the skin to feel dry or rough, and skin affected by keratosis pilaris might also be itchy.
Caused by a buildup of dead skin cells, keratosis pilaris isn't harmful and doesn't need to be treated. But if you find the dryness or the bumps bothersome, you can use over-the-counter products to address them.
Perioral dermatitis
What it looks like:
Perioral dermatitis is a rash that appears as clusters of inflamed skin and small raised bumps around the mouth and nose. The bumps may be red or flesh-colored, depending on your skin tone, the AAD says. The rash may also look like small acne pimples.
Experts aren't totally sure what causes perioral dermatitis, but some believe it's related to rosacea. The rash may be triggered by certain products, like toothpaste or skin care products. Using topical steroid medications may also trigger flare-ups of perioral dermatitis.
Other symptoms:
In addition to the bumpy rash, perioral dermatitis may cause a burning or stinging sensation in the affected skin, the AAD says. It may also be itchy.
Shingles
What it looks like:
Shingles is a condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the AAD explains. After you get over chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nerves and can reappear as a painful rash.
A shingles rash typically appears in specific areas of the body (dermatomes) that are connected to certain nerves, Lipner explains. Usually, people only experience a shingles rash in one part of the body and on only one side, most often the torso.
The rash may start as patches of redness or discolored skin before developing into small, painful blisters. Over the next few weeks, the blisters may burst open and scab over, the AAD says.
Other symptoms:
A day or two before the rash appears on your skin, you may feel a burning, tingling or electrical zapping sensation in the area, the AAD says. Once the rash appears, some people also develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches or vomiting.
It's important to get prompt treatment for a shingles rash because, although the rash itself will go away on its own, there can be after-effects. "The earlier you treat, the less of a chance there will be that the patient will have long-lasting pain," Lipner says.
Elbuluk agrees: "You can have pain where you had shingles for months and months."
Experts also recommend that older adults get the shingles vaccine to help prevent the illness. Younger people who have weakened immune systems may also receive the vaccine.
Folliculitis
What it looks like:
Folliculitis may look a lot like acne pimples, but it has a very different cause: infected hair follicles.
The condition typically causes areas of skin with small inflamed bumps around hair on the body, the AAD says. This can happen if you shave your hair or if the hair follicle gets damaged from tight clothing. For example, people who shave their facial hair may develop folliculitis around the chin, or it can show up after biking in tight, sweaty clothes, the AAD explains.
Each bump can also develop a red or discolored ring around it, which signals that there's an infection.
Other symptoms:
Folliculitis bumps may be painful and may also be itchy, the AAD says. Thankfully, the infection can usually be managed with home treatments, like warm compresses, and goes away on its own within a few weeks.
Hand, foot and mouth disease
What it looks like:
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a distinctive rash caused by the Coxsackie virus, as TODAY.com explained previously.
As the name implies, "people will get blisters on their hands and feet, and also in their mouth," Lipner explains. The rash starts as red bumps on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands, which then turn into blisters, the AAD says.
While this condition is most commonly found in kids, children can spread it to adults, Lipner adds, and adults can develop severe cases.
Other symptoms:
The rash is often itchy, the AAD says. And, along with the rash, there may be other viral symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, mild fever, stomach pain and lack of appetite.
Ringworm
What it looks like:
Despite the name, ringworm rashes are not caused by worms. Instead, ringworm is a sign of a fungal infection on the skin. (Athlete's foot is a common form of ringworm.)
Ringworm rashes are round, red and itchy patches of skin, TODAY.com explained previously. In people with darker skin tones, the skin may look brown or gray, the AAD says. The skin may also look scaly and cracked. However, ringworm may look a little different depending on where it shows up on the body, the AAD explains.
Other symptoms:
Ringworm rashes are often quite itchy and may also come with a burning or stinging sensation. If the rash appears on the feet, you may also notice a foul odor, the AAD says. Or, if it appears on the hands, it may look cracked as if the skin is extremely dry.
Heat rash
What it looks like:
Heat rashes look like small flesh-colored or red bumps in the skin, which develop when sweat gets trapped. In its mildest form, a heat rash may also look like tiny, clear fluid-filled blisters, the Mayo Clinic says.
This can happen when you're sweating excessively or when the sweat glands get clogged, which causes the sweat to pool up in your skin, TODAY.com explained previously.
Babies may develop heat rash around the groin or along the diaper line. In adults, heat rash typically shows up on parts of the body where tight clothing restricts the skin or where skin folds, the Mayo Clinic says.
Other symptoms:
If a heat rash becomes inflamed, the bumps may be painful, itchy or have a stinging or prickly feeling. They may also become filled with pus, depending on how deep within the skin the sweat is trapped, the Mayo Clinic says.
Impetigo
What it looks like:
Impetigo is a skin infection that commonly affects kids, the AAD explains. Caused by staph or strep bacteria that's found its way into the top layers of skin, impetigo is contagious and can spread via skin-to-skin contact, the AAD says, like while playing contact sports, for instance.
The condition causes itchy blisters or sores that burst open, leaving skin red and raw. From there, the areas develop a "honey-colored" crust, the AAD says. The rash and blisters can spread to other areas of the body, which is why it's important to seek treatment early for impetigo.
Other symptoms:
An impetigo rash is typically itchy, and you may notice swollen glands nearby, the AAD says. Dermatologists typically prescribe antibiotic cream to treat impetigo.
Tinea versicolor
What it looks like:
Tinea versicolor is a rash caused by an overgrowth of normally-occurring yeast on the skin, which leads to patches of discolored skin. The patches may be so faint you don’t notice them, or they may be so pronounced that they’re mistaken for vitiligo, the AAD says.
In people with lighter skin tones, the condition causes "pink scaly areas, usually on the chest and back," Elbuluk says. "But in darker-skinned people, it can actually cause lightening of the skin," she adds.
Dermatologists frequently see tinea versicolor in the summertime because sweat and heat exacerbate the condition, Ebuluk says.
Other symptoms:
Tinea versicolor tends not to cause symptoms beyond the skin changes, Elbuluk explains. “People tend to see it more than anything else,” she says. It may cause the skin to be itchy, scaly or dry, the AAD says, but not always.
Cellulitis
What it looks like:
Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection, Elbuluk says.
The condition often affects the lower legs and causes swelling, redness and warmth in the area, the AAD says. In patients with darker skin tones, the skin may look dark brown rather than red. Additionally, cellulitis typically only affects one limb at a time.
In severe cases, the skin may blister and fill with pus, or the skin might develop red streaks. Nearby lymph nodes may also be affected and feel swollen, the AAD says.
Other symptoms:
Skin affected by cellulitis is typically swollen, warm and hard to the touch, the AAD says. If you have cellulitis, you may also feel sick, including symptoms such as fever, chills and fatigue. In more severe cases, patients may develop intense pain, night sweats, nausea, trouble concentrating and nausea.
If you think you may have cellulitis, you should get prompt medical attention because the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
What it looks like:
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are a group of cancers that cause skin rashes. The two most common types of CTCL are mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, the AAD says. These rare and serious conditions are sometimes dismissed as eczema, Hu says, and disproportionately affect Black people.
The conditions may start as patches of red or discolored itchy skin that don't go away. In people with lighter skin tones, the patches may look like red rashes or sunburns, the AAD says, while people with darker skin tones may see darker brown or purple rashes. As the cancer progresses, some people may develop itchy psoriasis-like plaques, light spots, nodules or tumors on the affected skin.
That's why, if a patient's eczema is not getting better, Hu often calls for a biopsy just to make sure they're not missing an undiagnosed CTCL.
Other symptoms:
CTCL is often itchy and can be so itchy that it's hard to sleep at night.
But the other symptoms of CTCL can vary depending on exactly which condition you're dealing with and what stage the cancer is in, the AAD explains. You may notice hair loss or skin infections, for instance, or you may feel under the weather with symptoms like fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Drug rashes
What it looks like:
Drug rashes include a few different types of rashes that appear after taking new drug, and they can run the gamut from mild to severe.
Hives and other allergic reactions may develop after taking medication, for instance. Other medications cause rashes as a known side effect or as a reaction to sunlight, Johns Hopkins Medicine says.
At the more serious end is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Hu says, which starts with flu-like symptoms and a blistering, painful rash. The rash also typically spreads quickly, the Mayo Clinic says. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is considered a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment, Hu says.
An even more severe and life-threatening form of the condition is called toxic epidermal necrolysis, which causes the skin to peel off in sheets, Johns Hopkins Medicine explains.
Other symptoms:
You should talk to your doctor any time you have a rash within a few weeks of taking a new medication. Many of the symptoms of a drug rash may also be caused by other common skin conditions, so it's important to get checked out quickly if you're unsure.
