Rashes

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Rashes: Home Care & Treatment

Most simple rashes will improve with gentle skin care and avoiding irritating substances. Follow these general guidelines:

• Avoid scrubbing your skin.
• Use as little soap as possible. Use gentle cleansers instead, like Aveeno or Cetaphil.
• Avoid applying cosmetic lotions or ointments direcly on the rash.
• Use warm (not hot) water for cleaning. Pat dry (don't rub).
• Eliminate any newly added cosmetics or lotions.
• Leave the affected area exposed to the air as much as possible.
• Try calamine medicated lotion for poison ivy, oak, or sumac as well as other types of contact dermatitis.

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. If you have eczema, use moisturizers like Eucerin, Lubriderm, or Moisturel and apply all over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drug stores, to relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, or shingles.

For psoriasis, you may need a prescription. For impetigo, an antibacterial cream or an oral antibiotic is generally prescribed.

See article on poison ivy, oak, and sumac to learn how to treat and prevent this type of contact dermatitis.