What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if it occurs in an adult; if self-care measures don’t bring relief in children; or if there are signs of infection (e.g., pus, increased redness, swelling, or pain). A vaccine is given to prevent this disease.

Self-Care

Causes are direct contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac or contact with an irritant (cleaning product, cosmetic, jewelry, etc.).

Signs & Symptoms

Dry, red, itchy patches of skin. Blisters which may drain and then crust over.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if self- care measures don’t bring relief or if there are signs of infection (e.g., red streaks, fever, pus, increased redness, swelling, or pain).

Self-Care

This is due to hormones that pass through the placenta before birth.

Signs & Symptoms

Scaly, crusty rash (in newborns) that starts behind the ears and spreads to the scalp.

What To Do

Use self-care.

Self-Care

This tends to run in families. It is common in persons with asthma or allergies. Contact with irritants may worsen eczema.

Signs & Symptoms

Patches of skin that are dry, red, scaly, blistered, swollen, and sometimes thick, discolored, or oozing and crusting. Commonly occurs in the bend of the elbow or behind the knee.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if self- care measures don’t bring relief or if there are signs of infection (e.g., red streaks, fever, pus, increased redness, swelling, or pain).

Self-Care

Heat rash (prickly heat) or chafing. This occurs from too much sweating.

Signs & Symptoms

Rash with small red pimples, pink blotchy skin, and itching. Common sites are between skin folds (armpits, under the breasts, the groin).

What To Do

Use self-care.

Self-Care

This is caused by the Human parvovirus B19. This condition is contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Red rash of varying shades that fades to a flat, lacy pattern. Rash comes and goes. It usually starts on the facial cheeks and then on the arms and legs. This is a mild disease, usually with no other symptoms.

What To Do

Use self-care, but no special treatment is required.

Self-Care

Hives, usually due to an allergic reaction.

Signs & Symptoms

Red or pink, raised areas on the skin (weals) that can change shape, fade, then rapidly reappear. May come and go anywhere on the body. Itching.

What To Do

Call 9-1-1 if hives come with a hard time breathing or swallowing, wheezing, severe swelling all over or of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat (severe allergic reaction). {Note: If you have an emergency kit for an allergy, give the shot from the kit and follow other instructions before medical care.} For hives without a severe allergic reaction, see doctor for severe hives or for attacks of hives that recur.

Self-Care

This is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition is contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

In infants, pus-filled blisters and red skin. In older children, golden crusts on red sores. Areas affected are the arms, legs, face, and around the nose first, then most of body. Sometimes fever. Occasional itching.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider, especially if self-care measures don’t bring relief, if blisters are larger than 1 inch across, or if a red streak runs from the infection. An antibiotic may need to be prescribed.

Self-Care

This is caused by a deer tick bite.

Signs & Symptoms

A fever and red rash 3 days to 2 weeks after a deer tick bite. The rash has raised edges with pale centers. It fades after a few days. Joint pain may develop later.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider for diagnosis. Can be treated with an antibiotic.

Self-Care

This is caused by a virus. This condition is contagious. MMR vaccines prevent measles.

Signs & Symptoms

Blotchy red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Rash lasts about 7 days. These signs come before the rash: Fever; runny nose; sneezing; cough; eyes that look red and are sensitive to light; and blue-white spots in the mouth.

What To Do

Call doctor right away to be sure the problem is measles. If it is, follow the doctor’s advice. Let the child’s school and the local health department know.

Self-Care

Meningococcemia from a meningitis infection. These conditions are contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Rash of deep red or purple spots that don’t fade when the skin is pressed. Other symptoms include high fever; stiff neck; severe headache that persists; vomiting; lethargy; seizure; sensitivity to light; and bulging of the fontanelle (soft spot of the skull) in an infant.

What To Do

Get medical care fast!

Self-Care

This is a chronic skin disease that tends to run in families. The exact cause is not known.

Signs & Symptoms

Itchy, red patches covered with silvery-white flaky skin. Common sites are the scalp, elbows, forearms, knees, and legs.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if psoriasis affects large areas of skin and/or if self-care measures don’t bring relief.

Self-Care

This is caused by a fungal infection. This condition is contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Redness, itchy, scaly patches on the skin or scalp that are round with distinct edges that grow outward as the infection spreads. Moistness in the folds of the skin (under the breasts or in the groin area). Bald spots may appear on the scalp.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, especially if you have not had this before or if ringworm occurs on the scalp or in several patches on the skin.

Self-Care

Rocky mountain spotted fever, 1 to 14 days after a bite from an American dog tick or Rocky Mountain woodtick. These conditions are contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Pink to red rash on the arms, legs, and palms of the hands. Often starts near the wrists and ankles, then spreads inward. Rash darkens in color, spreads, and can bleed. Sudden high fever with chills, severe headache, and delirium also occur.

What To Do

Contact doctor right away.

Self-Care

The exact cause is not known. It may result from overuse of corticosteroid creams or alcohol use.

Signs & Symptoms

Red rash on the face. Red nose that looks swollen and puffy cheeks. May have pus-filled spots without blackheads or whiteheads.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if rosacea affects large areas of skin and/or if self-care measures don’t bring relief.

Self-Care

This is caused by the Herpes type-6 virus.

Signs & Symptoms

Flat, rosy red rash on the chest and abdomen. A high fever occurs 2 to 4 days before the rash. The child feels only mildly ill when the fever is present.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if high fever causes febrile seizure.

Self-Care

This is caused by skin parasites called itch mites. This condition is contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Tiny red pimples that itch intensely, usually between the fingers, on the wrists and genitals; in the armpits; and along the belt line. Scabs and sores may form.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider for diagnosis. Can be treated with a prescribed topical medicine.

Self-Care

This is caused by a bacterial infection. These conditions are contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Rough, bright red rash (feels like sandpaper) on the face, neck, elbows, armpits, and groin. It spreads rapidly to entire body. A high fever and weakness occur before the rash. Other symptoms include sore throat, peeling of the skin, vomiting, and swollen tongue.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider for diagnosis. Can be treated with an antibiotic.

Self-Care

This is a type of dermatitis. The glands in the skin make too much oil.

Signs & Symptoms

Scaly, oily rash with small, reddish-yellow patches. Areas affected are usually oily ones (the edge of the scalp, forehead, nose, and eyebrows) and the back and chest.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider if self- care measures don’t bring relief or if there are signs of infection (e.g., red streaks, fever, pus, increased redness, swelling, or pain).

Self-Care

Shingles from the herpes zoster virus.* (Persons who have not had chicken pox or a vaccine for it can get chicken pox from exposure to shingles.) These conditions are contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Rash of painful red blisters (most often on only one side and in only one area of the body). Pain, itching, burning, or tingling feeling before the rash appeared.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider within 24 to 72 hours for an oral antiviral medicine. This can shorten the course of shingles and make symptoms less severe. {Note: All adults 60 years of age and older are advised to get a vaccine that can help prevent shingles and reduce the pain due to shingles.}

Self-Care

This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a specific bacterial infection. This condition is contagious.

Signs & Symptoms

Widespread red rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes around the mouth and nose. The small, red, scaly bumps do not itch. Other types of rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and flu-like symptoms may also occur.

What To Do

See doctor or health care provider for diagnosis. Can be treated with an antibiotic.

Self-Care

West Nile virus, 3 to 15 days after a bite from a mosquito infected with the virus.

Signs & Symptoms

Rash on the trunk of the body with fever, headache, bodyaches, and swollen lymph glands.

What To Do

See doctor right away.

Self-Care

Follow your doctor’s advice.