Rashes can occur due to allergies, contact with irritants, or exposure to certain chemicals or solutions. If you believe your rash is due to an allergy or irritant and it looks mild, you can try home remedies. However, if the rash is red, itchy or uncomfortable, and seems to be spreading all over your body, you may consider talking to your doctor about a prescription medication to treat it.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Natural Remedies
Step 1. Use a cold compress
An easy way to relieve a rash is to apply an ice pack or cold cloth. Try wrapping an ice pack in a tissue paper and placing it on the rash for up to 20 minutes. Then, rest the skin for about an hour before applying the ice pack again.
- You can also soak a clean cloth under cold running water for a few minutes and then squeeze out the excess water. Paste it on the rash.
- Use a new tissue paper or cloth each time to avoid spreading the rash.
Step 2. Wash the rash with water and let it dry
If you think the rash was caused by contact with a poisonous plant, you should immediately wash your skin with warm, soapy water and allow it to dry so it doesn't irritate the towel or cloth. This will prevent the rash from spreading because once the urushiol is cleared from the skin surface, the toxins from the plant will not spread and spread to other people.
- If the rash is due to an allergic reaction, you can take a shower or bath in cold water with a mild soap and let your skin dry on its own. This can help soothe reddened or uncomfortable skin.
- Wear loose clothing after your body is dry. Tight clothing can irritate the rash even more, so you should wear loose-fitting clothing if you have a rash. Choose a light, natural fiber fabric, such as a 100% cotton shirt or loose-fitting linen pants.
Step 3. Try soaking in water mixed with oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal has been used to relieve itchy, itchy skin for centuries. The gluten in oatmeal has moisturizing properties and coats the skin when you bathe in it. This protective layer can help lighten the rash and reduce redness.
- You can buy colloidal oatmeal bath packs at drugstores.
- Mix a packet of oatmeal with warm water in a bath and soak for about 20 minutes.
Step 4. Add baking soda to the bath water
Adding baking soda to bath water can also help relieve rashes. If you don't have colloidal oatmeal or are sensitive to oatmeal, you can try a baking soda bath.
Try adding a cup of baking soda to a tub of warm water and soaking it for about 20 minutes
Step 5. Make a chamomile tea compress
Chamomile tea is known to be soothing. You can drink chamomile tea or apply it to your skin. Chamomile tea has also been shown to help reduce skin irritation, so it can also help with rashes.
- To make a chamomile compress, soak two to three teaspoons of chamomile flowers in one cup of boiling water for five minutes.
- Then strain the flowers from the water and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- When the tea has cooled, dip a clean cloth in the tea and squeeze out the excess water.
- Apply the cloth to the rash. Leave it for about 10 minutes.
Step 6. Try arnica ointment
Arnica ointment can also help relieve rashes when applied to the skin. This natural remedy has been used for centuries to treat irritation from insect bites, pimples, and blisters. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging.
- Make sure the ointment you choose contains no more than 15% arnica oil, otherwise it will irritate the skin.
- You can find arnica ointment at your drugstore or supermarket, in the natural ingredients section.
Step 7. Consider tea tree extract
Tea tree extract has been shown to be effective against many microorganisms, such as candida and staphylococcus aureus. This treatment may be the best option for rashes caused by mild yeast infections. If your rash is due to a fungal infection, such as a yeast infection in the groin, between your toes, or ringworm, tea tree ointment may help.
- Try applying a 10% tea tree oil cream on the rash to see if it helps. If nothing seems to change after a few days, see a doctor.
- Please note that tea tree oil has not been shown to be as effective as some over-the-counter and over-the-counter prescription and topical treatments.
Step 8. Cool the skin if you have a heat rash
If you have been exposed to extreme heat and have inflamed prickly heat on your body, as well as feeling dizzy and tired, you may have a heat rash. If you suspect so, take shelter from the sun immediately and sit in a cool area with air conditioning. Then you should remove the damp or sweat-soaked clothes and take a cold shower to lower your body temperature.
- You should also drink plenty of cold water to stay hydrated and help the body recover from heat exposure.
- Do not touch or squeeze skin blisters or spots due to heat rash.
- Seek medical care if the heat rash does not improve after two to three days, or if you experience severe symptoms such as vomiting, headache, dizziness, and nausea.
Method 2 of 3: Using Over-the-counter Medicines
Step 1. Apply calamine lotion
Calamine lotion can help cool and soothe rashes, especially if they are caused by poisonous plants or insect bites. You can buy calamine lotion without a prescription at drug stores.
Apply the lotion to the skin twice a day according to the directions on the package
Step 2. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine
If the rash is caused by an allergic reaction, you can treat it by taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine. These medications can help reduce itching and help the body fight the reaction to histamine, which is found in allergens such as cat dander, pollen, and grass.
Antihistamines are also quite efficacious to reduce itching on the skin, especially if it is caused by an allergic reaction
Step 3. Apply hydrocortisone cream for rashes caused by allergies
If you are exposed to an allergen such as cat dander, pollen, nickel, or other allergens, you can reduce discomfort or swelling by applying calamine lotion to the rash. You should also take anti-allergic medications to relieve other symptoms, such as runny nose, eye irritation, or nasal congestion.
Hydrocortisone cream is available with or without a prescription. You can buy this medicine without a prescription or with a doctor's prescription. Apply the cream on rashes caused by allergies one to four times a day or as directed by your doctor. This cream can reduce irritation, redness, inflammation, or discomfort caused by the rash
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms
If the rash continues to spread all over your body or doesn't seem to be getting better despite home treatments, it may be time to see your doctor. The doctor will examine the rash and prescribe medication or treatment to help treat it.
In addition, if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, fever, or swelling of the skin or limbs, the rash may signal a more serious health problem and should be checked by a doctor
Step 2. Let the doctor examine the rash
The doctor, or dermatologist, will start by looking for the main and easily visible features of the rash. Your doctor will notice if the rash is round, ring-shaped, straight, or snake-like. The doctor will also pay attention to the density, color, size, tenderness, and temperature of the rash (warm or cold to the touch). Finally, the doctor will look at the spread of the rash on the body and whether it only appears in certain areas or parts of the body.
- The doctor may also perform tests, such as microscopic analysis of skin samples and other laboratory tests. Your doctor may also do a patch test on your skin to determine if you are allergic to a certain substance.
- You may also be asked to have a blood test to determine if the rash is a symptom of a viral infection or disease.
Step 3. Talk about prescription drugs with your doctor
If your doctor diagnoses you with a rash that isn't caused by an infection, but is due to an allergy or an irritant, you may be prescribed a hydrocortisone cream or medicated ointment to treat it.
- If your doctor diagnoses the rash as a symptom of eczema, you may be prescribed topical steroids and medicated creams to treat eczema.
- If your rash is diagnosed as a symptom of a fungal infection such as tinea versicolor or ringworm, your doctor may prescribe an oral or topical antifungal medication.
- If your rash is diagnosed as a symptom of a viral infection such as herpes, your doctor may prescribe an oral or intravenous antiviral medication.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about changing your medication
If you suspect that the cause of your rash or hives is a medication you are taking or have recently taken, talk to your doctor about changing the medication. Never change or stop using a medication without your doctor's approval. Drugs that commonly cause allergies include:
- Anticonvulsants, usually used to treat epileptic seizures.
- Insulin, usually used to treat diabetes.
- Iodine-containing contrast dye, used when taking X-ray photos.
- Penicillin and other antibiotics, usually used to treat infections.
- If you have a drug reaction, you may experience hives, a rash, sneezing, swelling of the tongue, lips, or face, and itching of the eyes or skin.
Step 5. Schedule a follow-up with your doctor
After getting a diagnosis and the medication your doctor has prescribed to treat the rash, schedule a follow-up examination one week later. This test will allow your doctor to see how your condition is progressing and make sure the rash responds positively to treatment.
