Skin redness isn’t necessarily a huge issue, and the condition may occasionally be resolved on its own or with easy at-home remedies. Another possibility is that it is indicative of anything more severe, such as an infection or a persistent skin disease, thus necessitating urgent attention.
But how can you know what you’re dealing with unless you see it for yourself? Because redness is frequently accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to keep track of everything that’s going on with your skin.
A doctor will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. But, in the meanwhile, here are 11 typical causes of skin redness, along with descriptions of how they seem and feel, as well as suggestions on how to cure or manage the issue, if at all feasible.
Skin redness may be caused by a variety of factors.
There are a plethora of various factors that may contribute to skin redness. This is not a comprehensive list, but it does include some of the most common reasons why your skin may appear flushed. Only a medical expert can determine the exact source of the problem.
The most common kind of contact dermatitis is.
What it is and how it works
Inflammatory contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes into direct touch with an irritating chemical or allergen, resulting in a red, itchy rash.
The condition known as irritant contact dermatitis is caused by an irritating substance such as a harsh soap or bleach and occurs when the material comes in touch with the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis is a kind of dermatitis that occurs when a person comes into touch with an allergen such as nickel in jewelry or poison ivy.
Symptoms
In both allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis, symptoms such as redness and itching are present, and these symptoms may be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, dryness, burning, sensitivity, or blistering.
The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis may appear as soon as your skin comes into contact with the chemical, but it might take up to a few days for them to manifest themselves.
Contact dermatitis caused by an allergen may not manifest themselves until after repeated exposure to the irritant (such as washing your hands a bunch of times).
What to do about it
Discontinuing use of the problematic drug should help your skin clean up, although it may take many weeks to see results. Applying a thick coating of petroleum jelly over the rash can help to expedite the healing process (while also alleviating pain). The petroleum jelly will serve as a barrier and prevent the rash from becoming dry.
If the irritation is removed, an over-the-counter (OTC) — or, better yet, prescription-strength! — corticosteroid cream or ointment may also be used to accelerate the healing process. Oral antihistamines may assist to relieve itching, but they will not alleviate the rash.
2.Burn
Burns are tissue damage to the skin caused by exposure to high temperatures, radiation, electrical currents, or chemicals, among other things.
In general, superficial and some partial-thickness burns heal within a few weeks, but full-thickness burns are more serious because they can damage the nerves and other tissues beneath the skin. Full-thickness burns are more serious because they can damage the nerves and other tissues beneath the skin.
Symptoms
Burns on the skin’s surface are red and puffy, and they may be painful. It is possible that they may become dry or peel as they recover.
Burns that are just partially burned are more painful and more likely to blister. When the blisters burst out, the burns are usually moist or weepy in appearance.
Full-thickness burns are distinct in that they: Severe burns cause the skin to become waxy, burned, white or dark brown, and leathery in the following ways: Depending on whether or not the burn has caused nerve damage, it may not be unpleasant.
What to do about it
It is dependent on the source of the burn as well as the severity of the burn.
The majority of superficial and moderate partial-thickness burns may be treated at home by rinsing the afflicted area with cold water, using lidocaine or aloe vera gel, and covering the area loosely with gauze. When it comes to burns, cotton balls should never be used.
If you have burns on your face, hands, feet, buttocks, or crotch, get medical treatment as soon as possible. If you are unsure of the severity of your burn, call 911.
It’s the same for more severe burns that seem burned or white, leathery or brown, or that cause difficulty breathing; burns produced by chemicals or electricity; and burns that cause difficulty breathing.
3. Sunburnt skin
What it is and how it works
Sunburn is skin tissue damage produced by excessive exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. It is characterized by painful redness and swelling of the skin. However, while most people think of sunburns as occurring on hot, bright days, they may also occur when the weather is cold or overcast.
Symptoms
Mild sunburns are often pink or red in color, sensitive to the touch, and a bit irritating on the skin’s surface. After a few days, the skin that has been damaged will begin to peel or flake.
More severe sunburns may also cause skin swelling and blistering, as well as a headache and nausea if the burn is severe enough.
What to do about it
Applying cold compresses to the afflicted area or having a cool bath may help to relieve itching, as will using aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to soothe the skin. Take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium if the pain and swelling are severe.
Drink lots of water to aid in the rehydration of your skin, and don’t even consider returning to the sun until you’ve completely recovered.
Protect yourself from future discomfort by using sunscreen every day (reapplying every 2 hours, or every 60 to 80 minutes if you get wet) to avoid sunburn.
What they are and what they do
Hives (also known as welts) may develop in a variety of locations on the body and are very irritating.
The majority of the time, the reason is never identified, and the hives disappear within 6 weeks. In certain instances, a specific reason, such as a drug or a recent viral infection, may be identified and addressed.
Symptoms
Hives are lumps on the body that are very itchy, red, and swollen. Most of the time, they will go away on their own within 24 hours, although new ones may develop in the surrounding region.
What to do about them
If your hives are caused by a drug, discontinue use of the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you see any swelling on your face or if you are having difficulty breathing, get medical care right once.
Otherwise, hives may subside on their own over time, especially if an oral antihistamine such as Zyrtec is used daily. However, it is necessary to visit a doctor or dermatologist in order to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Infection (number 5)
What it is and how it works
Infections of the skin may be caused by any of the following pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungus, and (in rare instances) parasites. Open wounds or sores, particularly those that are not maintained clean, are often the source of an infection forming.
Symptoms
Mild skin infections are characterized by redness, swelling, soreness, and discomfort. Blistering and pus oozing from more severe ones are also possible.
What to do about it
You’ll need to visit a doctor to determine whether or not oral antibiotics are required for your illness, which will depend on the kind of infection you have.
You may be advised to use at-home treatments such as topical creams and ointments (such as an antibiotic or antifungal cream) and cold compresses if your doctor suggests them. These may aid in the speeding up of the healing process as well as the relief of pain or discomfort.
Consult with your doctor about the infection to decide the best course of action. It is not recommended that you attempt to treat this on your own. Topical antibiotics available over-the-counter (OTC) may induce adverse contact dermatitis.
6. Insect sting or stinging bite
What it is and how it works
Bees, ticks, ants, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, wasps, bedbugs, and other insects may all bite or sting, leaving large, red welts on the skin as a result. Bites and stings from these insects may be irritating and unpleasant, but they are seldom harmful.
Symptoms
The bug may bite or sting you right away, or you may not detect it as all until later. A red rash that is large, severe, or itching will most likely result in either kind of infection.
Often, they appear as red, juicy pimples on the skin. In certain instances, they may seem like hives, while in others, they can look like blisters. Some bites or stings may also produce numbness or discomfort in the muscles around the site of the bite or sting.
People who are allergic to certain foods or substances may have a severe response such as difficulties breathing or even anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening reaction that manifests itself in a range of symptoms such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and shock.
What to do about it
Mild bites and stings may be treated at home with simple remedies. In order to keep the swelling down, remove the stinger if it is still there, wash the area with gentle soap and warm water, and apply an ice pack to the affected region.
If you’re still feeling uneasy, you may try over-the-counter hydrocortisone, an oral antihistamine, or an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. For extreme reactions, such as if you begin to have difficulty breathing, dial 911 immediately and get medical attention.
7.Heat rash.
What it is and how it works
Heat rash may occur when you perspire excessively and your pores get clogged, causing the perspiration to become trapped under your skin. It occurs more often during hot and humid conditions.
Symptoms
Heat rash is characterized by a large number of red, pimple-like pimples, which appear mostly on the neck, shoulders, chest, and back. It is possible that they may feel uncomfortable or prickly.
What to do about it
Heat rash will typically go away on its own after 3 to 4 days of occurrence. Maintaining cold and sweat-free skin is the most effective method of dealing with it in the interim. Take a break someplace with air conditioning or a fan, and dress in clothing that are loose and comfortable.
If you’re itching, use cold compresses to relieve the itch, but avoid using ointments or baby powder. They may make the rash worse by clogging your pores even more, aggravating the situation.
8.Rosacea.
What it is and how it works
Rosacea is a skin disease that is characterized by facial redness that appears as flushing or blushing on the face. Experts are baffled as to what causes it, although some theories include gut bacteria, genetic factors, and the immune system as contributing factors.
Symptoms
Rosacea is characterized by a red rash that appears over the nose, cheeks, and chin. There may be thickening or swelling of the skin, many visible blood vessels, and a tendency for acne-like outbreaks on the afflicted area.
What to do about it
Although there is no treatment for rosacea, there are measures you may do to control your symptoms.
Try to find out what causes your flare-ups and avoid such situations as much as you possibly can. Also, try to keep your sun exposure to a bare minimum by putting on sunscreen every day, avoiding the noon sun, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat. Symptoms like as dryness may be alleviated with over-the-counter medications.
