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.
• Avoid applying cosmetic lotions or ointments directly 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, apply moisturizers over your skin. Try oatmeal bath products, available at drugstores, to relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, or shingles.

For psoriasis, you may need a prescription. You could also talk to your doctor about a variety of treatments, including ultraviolet (UV) light therapy.

For seborrheic dermatitis, try applying small amounts of anti-dandruff shampoo to patches of this scaly rash on your skin, especially near hairy areas like your eyebrows. Leave on for 10 minutes and then carefully rinse off. If the shampoo feels irritating or your skin becomes redder, STOP use.

For impetigo, an antibacterial cream or 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.

Call 911 if:

• You are short of breath, your throat is tight, or your face is swollen
• Your child has a purple rash that looks like a bruise

Call your health care provider if:

• You have joint pain, fever, or a sore throat
• You have streaks of redness, swelling, or very tender areas as these may indicate an infection
• You are taking a new medication -- DO NOT change or stop any of your medications without talking to your doctor
• You may have a tick bite
• Home treatment doesn't work, or your symptoms get worse

Your doctor will perform a physical examination. He or she will ask questions about your medical conditions, medications, health problems that run in your family, and recent illnesses or exposures. Questions may include:

• When did the rash begin?
• What parts of your body are affected?
• Does anything make the rash better? Worse?
• Have you used any new soaps, detergents, lotions, or cosmetics recently?
• Have you been in any wooded areas recently?
• Have you had any change in your medications?
• Have you noticed a tick or insect bite?
• Have you eaten anything unusual of late?
• Do you have any other symptoms like itching or scaling?
• What are your underlying medical problems? Do you have, for example, asthma or allergies?

Tests may include:

• Allergy testing
• Blood tests
• Skin biopsy
• Skin scrapings

Depending on the cause of your rash, treatments may include medicated creams or lotions, medications taken by mouth, or skin surgery.

Many primary care providers are comfortable dealing with common rashes, but for more complicated skin disorders, a referral to a dermatologist may be necessary.