It’s natural to think that most rashes that show up on your child at camps like YMCA Summer Camp or Covenant Day School Summer Camp can be easily treated with some OTC creams or other medications, but that’s not always the case! Some will go away over time, and some will keep coming back.
Although most rashes are not life-threatening, some rashes can signal something more serious. To learn more about rashes and what to do when your child gets one, read on!
What Is a Rash?
A rash is an area of skin that has become swollen, inflamed or irritated. Skin rashes can appear in many different forms: pimples or sores; blotchy, scaly or red skin; and itchy or burning skin.
Allergens, heat and certain medical conditions (some more serious than others) can all cause skin reactions like these. Some skin rashes occur right away, while others take some time to develop. We’ve listed a few of the most common types of skin rashes below.
Common Rash Causes
- Eczema
- Contact dermatitis
- Heat rash
- Allergy rash (like from poison ivy or a specific medication)
- Psoriasis
- Shingles
How Will I Know If the Rash Is a Sign of Something Serious?
There are certain symptoms to be on the lookout for when monitoring a rash. Unless your or your child’s rash shows any of the characteristics that we’ve listed below, it’s likely not a sign of something more serious and can be taken care of using OTC creams or ointments.
If you or your child is dealing with a rash and you notice any of the symptoms we’ve listed below, visit our AFC center or call your doctor ASAP.
Concerning Rash Signs
- A rash that is all over the body. A rash that covers the body could indicate something problematic, such as an infection or allergic reaction.
- A rash accompanied by a fever. This also could be caused by an allergic reaction or an infection. Examples of rashes caused by infection include scarlet fever, measles, mononucleosis and shingles.
- The rash is sudden and spreads rapidly. A common cause of this is an allergy to a medication. If breathing becomes difficult, go to the emergency room or call 911.
- The rash is painful.
- The rash is infected. If you have an itchy rash and you scratch it, it may become infected. Signs of an infected rash are yellow or green fluid, swelling, crusting, pain, warmth in the rash area, or a red streak coming from the rash.
Dealing with a rash and aren’t sure what to do? Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne center today!
