Itchy Skin Rash Is A Symptom Of Eczema

Eczema is a common cause of an itchy skin rash. It is a chronic skin condition characterized by skin inflammation and irritation that causes skin rashes that itch. It is closely related to allergies. It is also known as “the itch that rashes.”  It affects about 10 percent to 20 percent of the world’s population, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

According to the Mayo Clinic,  eczema is an ongoing (chronic) condition that causes itchy, inflamed skin. Most often it appears as patches on the face, neck, trunk or limbs. It tends to flare up periodically and then subside for a time.

The exact cause of eczema is not known. It is thought to be an hereditary skin problem that often begins in childhood as chapped cheeks and scaly patches on the scalp, arms, legs, and torso. Later in childhood, it may affect the inner parts of the elbows and knees. Adults get itchy skin rash on the hands, around the eyelids, on the genitals, as well as on the body as a whole.  It is not contagious and it does not get worse with age.

Skin affected by eczema becomes extremely itchy and inflamed. It may look red, swollen, and cracked. In some cases, the itchy skin rash can also weep and crust, especially in infants and children. Liquid that oozes out of such crusts is often not infected; what comes out is the body’s normal tissue fluid.

The medical term for it is atopic dermatitis. Atopic refers to diseases that may be associated with allergies and tend to run in families. Atopic diseases include asthma and hay fever. The word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin.

People with eczema often have a family history of the condition or a family history of other allergic conditions. The nature of the link between these conditions is inadequately understood. Eczema is slightly more common in girls than in boys. It occurs in people of all races.

Eczema comes and goes on its own schedule and is not related to the consumption of certain foods or the use of certain soaps and detergents, which may be blamed for flare-ups of other allergic conditions. In most cases, changing diet and detergents helps the itchy skin rash very little.

Eczema is often worse in the winter months, when the air is cold and dry, so that frequent washing may irritate the skin and bring on eczema skin. Although the skin feels “dry,” it really isn’t; it is inflamed, and therefore moisturizing alone does not help much. For some people, the itchy skin rash becomes worse in the summer, while others experience no significant seasonal variation.

While doctors do not not know of a cure for eczema, you can take steps to manage your itchy skin rash and lessen the severity of outbreaks.

What To Do To Lessen The Discomfort From Itchy Skin Rash

• use cool compresses to help control itching

• bath in warm, not hot, water

• avoid over-bathing

• apply moisturizer frequently, especially after bathing

• use a humidifier in the winter, if itching skin gets bad, because heating dries the air.

• use a humidifier in the summer, if your dry skin rash worsens, because air conditioning depletes moisture from the air.

• wear protective gloves for activities that require frequent submersion of the hands in water

• wear loose fitting clothing because it may be less irritating on your skin

I hope that one or more of these remedies lessens the discomfort you experience when you get an outbreak of itchy skin rash.

An Explanation Of Skin Rashes That Itch

Most people experience skin rashes that itch at some point in their lives.  Out of all the different types of rashes, an itchy skin rash is the one that causes a great deal of frustration and annoyance.

The term “rash” refers to red eruptions forming on the skin. They appear in different shades, designs, and measurements.  They may be on a selected part or they may affect the overall body.

The itching may be intense. It may be accompanied by a tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin’s surface, or it may be confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is pruritus.

There are several causes for skin rashes that itch. They can be caused by viral or fungal infections, exposure to irritants, or internal conditions in your body.

Likely Causes Of Skin Rashes That Itch

1. Chickenpox, caused by the Varicella zoster virus, is an example of a viral infection that creates skin rashes that itch.
2. Poison ivy and poison oak are examples of irritants that cause skin rashes that itch.
3. Psoriasis produces a rash that itches.  The term comes from the the Greek word psora, which  means itch.
4. Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by skin inflammation and irritation.  It is known as “the itch that rashes”.
5. Pityriasis rosea is a common and harmless rash that itches.  It goes away by itself after about 8 weeks. Its name means that the rash is scaly (pityriasis) and pink (rosea).
6. Scabies is a rash caused by a tiny mite that burrows under the skin.  The main symptom of scabies is intense itching.
7. Hives is a rash that itches that can come and go in a matter of minutes to hours, only to appear elsewhere. Most episodes of hives last less than six weeks.
8. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus.  It produces a rash on the skin that itches.

It is advisable to seek medical advice if you are experiencing skin rashes that itch.  The cause of some of the above conditions is known and effective treatment can be prescribed. However the medical professional does not know the cause of most of the above conditions and so cannot cure them.