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What to expect from a rash treatment

After a rash has grown or persisted, you should seek out medical expertise immediately.

 

There’s nothing enjoyable about having rashes appear on your skin. Not only are they itchy and uncomfortable, they can be a real eye sore, especially when they’re located on a noticeable part of your body. Rashes are usually a result of skin inflammation, which can be caused by a number of reasons.

After you notice a rash on your skin, there’s no doubt you’ll want to do something about it. You might be scouring the internet, trying to find what could be the root of this issue. Unlike what various sites might tell you, most rashes are by no means life-threatening. However, rashes can indicate a deeper problem, which may require consultation from a professional. If you have any questions about your rash or what it takes to cure this ailment, don’t hesitate to contact one of our doctors.

When you should seek medical expertise

Whether or not this rash is the result of a bigger issue, you should think about getting in touch with your doctor is you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms:

  • Your rash has spread
  • Your rash has appeared or progressed very suddenly
  • You have a fever
  • Your rash has started to blister
  • Your rash is painful and/or infected

Why it’s important to have your rashes treated

When you see some red patches forming on your skin, you might think it’s a slight reaction to the fabric of the new dress shirt you wore to work or the laundry detergent you used. Plenty of people think their rashes will go away on their own. Sometimes, they will fade over time with exposure to basic lotions and creams you can purchase at your local pharmacy. When they’re gone, plenty of people assume the issue is no longer; out of sight, out of mind, right? What a lot of people don’t recognize when they try to heal rashes with at-home remedies is the fact that their rashes are likely the result of a deeper-rooted cause.

When rashes persist despite exposure to some of the at-home remedies you found online and at your nearest drug store, there might be cause for alarm. Especially when the rash becomes more widespread, it’s something you might want to pay attention to. In the instance your rash begins to grow, or just won’t go away, you should seek immediate attention from a medical professional.

Whether it’s severe or minor, your rash might face a variety of symptoms when they are left untreated. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Increasing pain or discoloration
  • Tightness or itchiness in the throat
  • Swelling of the face or extremities
  • Fever of 100°F or higher
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Severe head or neck pain
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Sore throat
  • Joint paint
  • Tenderness around the rash

What to expect from rash treatment

When you’ve decided to seek treatment for your worsening rash, you’ll want to seek out a trusted dermatologist to provide you with the guidance and professional assistance you need. If you’ve had skin conditions in the past, you might already have a dermatologist who understands your skin’s history. If you’ve never sought out a skin professional in the past, you may be on the hunt for one with a good reputation. Regardless of your skin’s history, you might be wondering what to expect from an appointment with a dermatologist based on a new rash that has appeared on your skin.

Your dermatologist will perform a physical exam in which they will inspect your rash. While they’re meeting with you, this professional might ask you a number of questions about your rash, medical history, diet, hygiene and recent use of different products and medications. While you’re there, your doctor might also take your temperature, perform a skin biopsy – in which they will take a small sample of your skin tissue for lab analysis, order allergy, blood count and other tests – or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.

What you can do right now

After you’ve scheduled a meeting with a doctor or dermatologist, you might be curious of what you can do to prevent your rash from progressing. First, you should make sure to avoid scratching the rash. In the instance you really need to itch the area, make sure you trim your nails to avoid damaging the skin or spreading any potential infections.Some other best practices include moisturizing the skin with a high-quality, chemical-free product and avoiding exposing the rash to hot water.

When you’d like to seek out treatment for your rash, schedule an appointment with Maryland Plastic Surgery.

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