The skin is the body's largest organ. It consists of three layers-the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer), & the subcutaneous layer (inner layer). The skin acts as a shield between the body & the millions of foreign substances that exist in our environment. It also functions as a means of excreting toxins & other substances from the body, as the kidneys & bowels do.

As a result, the skin is subject to the development of various bumps & blisters, as well as to changes in color, cracking, dryness, flaking, itching, redness, roughness, scaling, thickening, & a host of other problems.

There are many reasons for skin reactions. Some of the most common include allergies to molds, foods, chemicals, cosmetics, & other substances; insect bites; reactions to plants, such as poison ivy, or fungi; diaper rash; reactions to the sun & wind; reactions to drugs or alcohol; reactions to detergents; reactions to jewelry & fragrances; food allergies; nervous tension; & friction, either from two parts of the body rubbing against each other or from contact with an external agent, such as ill-fitting clothing or shoes.

A rash should not be taken lightly, as it can sometimes be an indication of an underlying illness-sometimes a potentially serious illness. Certain types of rashes can be valuable as early warning signals.

Information on common types of rashes

The best way to approach treatment for a rash is to eliminate the underlying cause. Following are descriptions of some of the conditions most often responsible for skin rashes. This list is not exhaustive, & it is not meant as a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified health care practitioner. Any rash that persists for longer than one week, that seems to be getting worse, or that is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, should be evaluated by a professional.

Cause of Rash	Characteristic Features
Athlete's foot	Inflammation, scaling, cracking, & blisters on the feet, especially between the toes. Burning and/or itching may be severe
Chickenpox	Crops of small round blister like pimples that crust over as they heal. Usually appears first on the torso, following a day or so of fever & headache, & then spreads to the face & extremities. Extremely itchy. Most common in children
Dermatitis (eczema)	There are several types of dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, & h& dermatitis. General features include patches of scaling, flaking, & thickening skin that may appear anywhere on the body. Skin color in the affected area may change. Itching is common. One type of dermatitis reason round lesions on the limbs
Food or drug allergy	A flat pink or red rash, with possible swelling and/or itching
Fungal infection (candida)	Moist, possibly itchy, red patches that may appear anywhere on the body, but are most common in areas where skin surfaces rub together. In babies, an inflamed, shiny diaper rash.
Herpesvirus infection	Painful fluid-filled blisters that erupt periodically around the mouth or genitals
Hives	A rash that usually appears suddenly & can take the form of patches of tiny, goose bump-like spots or red, itchy welts that cover significant areas of the body-or anything in between
Lyme disease	A red, circular lesion that gradually expands as the center appears to clear up. This may be followed by a rash composed of small raised bumps on the torso. The rash mayor may not be accompanied by flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, & nausea.
Measles	A raised red rash that usually begins on the foreHuman head & ears & spreads to the rest of the body. The rash usually follows several days of viral symptoms including fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, & possibly conjunctivitis. There may be tiny red spots with white centers in the mouth as well.
Mononucleosis	A bumpy red rash accompanied by headache, achiness, low-grade fever, sore throat, & persistent fatigue
Poison ivy/poison oak/poison sumac	A red, intensely itchy rash with swelling & oozing blisters. If scratched, the rash can spread.
Psoriasis	Silvery, scaly patches that may appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the scalp, ears, arms, legs, knees, elbows, & back. The rash follows a pattern of periodic flare-ups followed by healing. It mayor may not be itchy.
Ringworm	Small, itchy round red spots that grow to be approximately 114 inch in diameter, with scaly, slightly raised borders. They tend to clear in the center as they expand.
Rosacea	Reddening, small bumps, & pimples, usually affecting the nose & the center of the face. It resembles acne, but is chronic & is more common in middle-aged & older individuals.
Scabies	A persistent itchy rash with small red lumps that may become dry & scaly. Fine, wavy dark lines may emanate from some lumps. Most often occurs between the fingers, on the wrists and/or forearms, & on the breasts and/or genitals
Seborrhea	Greasy yellowish, flaky patches of skin that form scales & crusts. It can appear anywhere on the body, but most often affects the scalp, face, and/or chest. It mayor may not be itchy
Shingles	Crops of tiny blisters that are extremely painful & sensitive to the touch & that eventually crust, scab, & are shed. Most common on the abdomen below the ribs, but it can occur anywhere on the body. May be preceded and/or accompanied by flu-like symptoms of chills, fever, & achiness

Herbal home remedies of skin rash treatment

Here are some home remedies for the treatment of skin rashes :-

Aloe vera gel, ginkgo biloba extract, & green tea extract have antioxidant properties that can aid in healing. o Calendula, chamomile, elder flower, & tea tree oil can be used externally as a soothing wash on rashes.
Olive leaf extract has healing properties for the skin.
Itch Relief Lotion from Derma-E Products contains chamomile, tea tree oil, & vitamin E. It offers quick relief of skin irritation.
For quick relief of itching & inflammation, soak a clean cloth in cool water (or, for even greater soothing effect, in comfrey tea that has cooled), wring it out, & apply it to the affected area for ten minutes. Repeat this procedure as often as necessary for relief.
Soak a washcloth in malva tea & apply it as a warm compress to the infected area to reduce inflammation
A poultice made with chaparral, dandelion, & yellow dock root benefits many types of skin rashes.
Take lukewarm showers instead of baths, & try not to shower every day during the duration of the rash. Also avoid using the same washcloth, sponge, or shower pouf each time you shower, as bacteria & fungi can grow in these moist areas.

prohibition tips

Avoid prolonged contact with known skin irritants including chemicals, dust, direct sunlight, & water.
Many medications cause skin rashes in people when they are exposed to sunlight. If your medication reason photosensitivity, ask your doctor if there are any alternatives.
Skin rashes in children are often caused by food allergies, especially to chocolate, dairy products, eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat, fish, chicken, pork, or beef. Some experts estimate that allergies to eggs, peanuts, & milk account for as many as 75 percent of all skin rashes in children.
Wear cool, loose clothing. Next to the skin, cotton is best.

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