A rash is a noticeable change in the texture or color of the skin. The skin may become itchy, bumpy, chapped, scaly, or otherwise irritated. Rashes are caused by a wide range of conditions, including allergies, medication, cosmetics, and various diseases. Visit our local Urgent Care Clinic in Oklahoma City to help eliminate rashes.
While there are many different types, rashes may basically be divided into two types: infectious or noninfectious.
Noninfectious rashes include eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis,seborrheic dermatitis, drug eruptions, rosacea, hives (urticaria), dry skin (xerosis), and allergic dermatitis. Many noninfectious rashes are typically treated with corticosteroid creams and/or pills. Even a noncontagious, noninfectious rash can cause discomfort and anxiety.
Infection-associated rashes, such as ringworm (tinea), impetigo,Staphylococcus, scabies, herpes, chickenpox, and shingles, are treated by treating the underlying cause. Infectious agents that can cause a rash include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Determining the specific cause of rash usually requires a description of the skin rash, including its shape, arrangement, distribution, duration, symptoms, and history. All of these factors are important in identifying the correct diagnosis. Accurate information about past treatments, successful and unsuccessful, is very important. Treatments that work may be a clue to the cause of the rash, may mask symptoms, or change the appearance, making a definite diagnosis harder. Sometimes good quality pictures of an earlier stage of the rash may aid diagnosis.
Many different risk factors determine what rash or rashes a patient might get. A family history of eczema, frequent exposure to sick children, necessary use of immunosuppressive medications, and exposure to multiple medications all increase the risk of developing rashes.
A careful drug history that includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications,supplements, and prescription drugs such as birth control pills is also important. The timing of when medications are started and stops may provide important clues for establishing the cause of a rash.
There are some rashes that only appear in association with pregnancy, either during pregnancy or even after the delivery of the baby. Most of these are not serious but can be very irritating.
Don’t delay – please visit our walk in Urgent Care Clinic in North Oklahoma City and meet with one of our Health Care Providers as soon as possible.
Urgent Care Services NW OKC
Charter Clinic Immediate Care
Located at Britton & Broadway Extension
200 W. Britton Rd.
Oklahoma City OK 73114
(405) 755-8000