Itchy Rash

An itchy rash can occur by itself or with other symptoms that affect the skin and possibly other areas of the body. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. For example, you may have flu-like symptoms if the itchy rash is due to infection or inflammation. Anxiety and irritability may be caused by constant itching due to the rash.

Itchy rash may occur with other skin-related symptoms including:

• Bleeding from broken skin

• Blistering

• Burning

• Cracked skin

• Dry skin

• Flaking or scaling of the skin

• Oozing of discharge from the rash or surrounding skin

• Painful skin

• Redness, irritation or inflammation

• Scale formation

• Swelling or puffiness around the rash

An itchy rash may occur with symptoms related to body systems other than the skin including:

• Abdominal pain

• Decreased appetite

• Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains)

• Irritability in infants and children

• Joint pain

• Red or dry eyes

• Sneezing and runny nose

• Stress, anxiety or depression

• Unexplained weight loss

• Vomiting

In some cases, an itchy rash may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (c all 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the tongue, mouth, lips or face

• Fainting or change in level of consciousness or alertness

• High fever (higher than 101 degrees)

• Rapid pulse

• Severe headache

• Wheezing or shortness of breath

Itchy rashes can be caused by a wide variety of diseases and conditions, such as infection, inflammation, allergic reaction, parasite and insect bites, and autoimmune processes. For example, a small localized itchy rash may be caused by contact dermatitis due to contact with an irritant or allergen.  A generalized itchy rash that covers large parts of the body may be due to a viral infection or scabies (mite infestation that leads to a widespread immune response). More serious causes of an itchy rash include a severe allergic reaction with anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition associated with hives and difficulty breathing.

One way to help determine the cause of a rash is to keep a diary noting when it flares up.

An itchy rash may be caused by an infection including:

• Bacterial infection, such as from streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria

• Folliculitis (infection or inflammation of a hair follicle)

• Fungal infection of the skin, such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, or ringworm

• Pityriasis rosea (suspected viral origin)

• Viral infection, such as chicken pox, measles or shingles

An itchy rash can be caused by an autoimmune and inflammatory disorder including:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Psoriasis (chronic skin disorder involving overproduction of skin cells)

• Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)

An itchy rash can be caused by an allergic reaction including:

• Allergic contact dermatitis caused by an allergy to such substances as detergents, latex, or an insect bite

• Drug reaction

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

• Food allergies

• Irritant contact dermatitis, such as diaper rash

• Poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac

• Scabies (allergic reaction to mite bites)

An itchy rash can be due to insects, parasites or arachnids that bite the skin or burrow in the skin including:

• Bedbugs

• Fleas

• Head lice or pubic lice

• Mites

• Mosquito bites (mosquitoes also carry parasitic diseases)

• Ticks

In some cases, an itchy rash may be a symptom of an immediately life-threatening allergic reaction called an anaphylactic reaction, which causes swelling, tightening and closing of the airways that can rapidly lead to death if not treated immediately.

To diagnose the underlying cause of an itchy rash, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your symptoms. You can best help your health care practitioner in diagnosing the underlying cause of your itchy rash by providing complete answers to these questions:

• Describe the itchy rash. Where is it? What does it look like? When did it appear?

• What other symptoms are you having?

• Have you been in recent contact with any unusual or new substances or environments, such as poison ivy, new medications or food, or travelling outside the United States?

• Provide your full medical history, including all medical conditions, surgeries and treatments, family history, and a complete list of the medications and dietary supplements that you take.

In some cases, an itchy rash can lead to complications, especially if there is severe itching and scratching that leads to breakdown of the skin. Scratching can introduce bacteria or fungus into the layers of skin, resulting in infections. Complications include:

• Cellulitis, an infection of the skin and surrounding tissues caused by a growing bacterial or fungal infection

• MRSA methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection

• Open sores and lesions

• Permanent change in skin texture, scarring

• Permanent skin discoloration

Complications of underlying causes of an itchy rash can also occur. You can reduce the risk of complications of an itchy rash and its underlying causes by following the treatment plan you and your health care provider develop specifically for you.