A rash manifests as a change of color and texture of the skin, where the skin becomes bumpy and scaly and is accompanied by a lot of itching. A bumpy rash can be caused by medication, cosmetics, allergies and disease. We will look at some of the causes of bumpy rash.
Causes
Contact Dermatitis
This is the most common cause of a bumpy rash, and occurs when the skin comes into contact with a foreign substance. Contact dermatitis is mainly brought about by:
- Clothing dyes
- Soaps and Detergent
- Skin products
- Poisonous plants
Medication
Medication can cause a bumpy rash due to:
- Allergies to the medication
- Side effect of the medication
- Photosensitivity brought about by the medication
Other causes of bumpy rash
- Eczema – also called Atopic Dermatitis is common in people with allergies or asthma.
- Psoriasis – manifests as a bumpy scaly rash.
- Insect bites – one can get a bumpy rash in the area surrounding an insect bite.
- Lupus – an autoimmune disease that can trigger a bumpy rash on the cheeks and nose; the rash is called a butterfly (malar) rash. RA is another autoimmune disease that causes bumpy rashes
Causes of bumpy rash in children
Children are particularly prone to getting bumpy rashes and here are some of the causes:
- Chicken Pox
- Measles
- Scarlet Fever
- Fifth Disease
- Impetigo
- Kawasaki Disease
- Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Treatment of bumpy rash
Most rashes can be cleared using home remedies; here are some of them:
- Dispense with the use of scented soaps and use mild, gentle cleansers
- When washing hair and skin, use warm water and not hot since this reduces irritation of the bumpy rash
- Do not rub the skin when drying it, but pat it instead
- Try to keep the rash uncovered
- Dispense with the use of lotions and cosmetics
- Use unscented moisturizers on the rash to reduce the dryness
- Try and avoid scratching as much as possible
- Use hydrocortisone on the bumpy rash. Calamine lotion can also relieve the itchiness
- Take an oatmeal bath, which will reduce the itchiness of the rash. When taking an oatmeal bath, first wash the hair and scalp to help reduce dandruff that may be caused by the rash. Get medicated dandruff shampoo from the drugstore or get stronger ones from the doctor.
Rashes can also be treated using over-the-counter medications such as:
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for any pain that may be associated with the rash; the medications should be taken after consulting a doctor, and they should not be taken for long periods since they may have some side effects. The doctor will be able to tell you how long you should be on these medications. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, liver or kidney disease, you should not take these medications at all.
When to see the doctor
There are certain serious conditions that are accompanied by a bumpy rash. You should go see a doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms
- An increase in the discoloration and pain in the affected area
- Itchiness or tightness in the throat
- Having labored breathing
- Having swelling in the extremities and face
- High fever
- Dizziness and confusion
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- A lot of pain in the neck or head
- Pain in the joints
- Sore throat
- If the rash is because of a recent tick or animal bite
- Having red streaks in the rash area and some tenderness
Information that the doctor will require
The doctor will take you through a physical exam and also inspect the rash. He will need to have more information about your medical history, the diet you take, when the rash begun, and the recent products or medications that you may have used. Carry samples if you can.
The doctor will also take your temperature, and order tests to see your complete blood count and also see if you are allergic to some things. He may also take a skin biopsy, which is simply taking a small skin sample for analysis. If the rash is serious, you may be referred to a dermatologist for more evaluation.
Immediate plan when you get a bumpy rash
Start off by using some of the home remedies mentioned above. Look at what could have triggered the rash and make sure you avoid it in future. If the home remedies do not work, then you should go and see your doctor immediately, especially if you are having other symptoms as mentioned above; the rash may be an indication of a bigger illness within your body. Follow the doctor’s treatment plan and the rash will go away.
Bumpy Rash – Pictures
