RASHES

A rash is one of the most telltale signs that something is bothering your skin. When you’re under stress, sick, or have had a close encounter with insects or poisonous plants, the skin may display its unhappiness for all the world to see, in the form of a red, itchy, irritating rash.

What can make some rashes so annoying is their sheer unpredictability. They can come out of the blue, leaving you (and your doctor) wondering what the heck caused them. But it often doesn’t matter all that much, Most rashes are easy to treat regardless of the cause. Here are a ways to keep your skin happy.

Bathe in cool water. Spending ten or fifteen minutes in a cool bath will often make rashes feel better and may help speed them on their way. Cool compresses are also effective. Don’t bathe in hot water, however, because that will often make your rashes worse.

Take comfort in tea. A traditional remedy for rashes is to brew a pot of chamomile (babunah) or comfrey tea and use it to make a tea compress. Let it cool until it’s comfortably warm. Then soak a towel or gauze pad in the tea and apply it to the rash for ten to fifteen minutes. You can repeat this treatment as often as necessary.

***********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

It’s not common, but some rashes are a sign of serious medical problems,
including sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial infections, or dangerous
allergic reactions. You should call your doctor immediately if a rash
doesn’t go away within a day or two, or if it’s deep-colored, oozing, or
accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty in breathing,
dizziness, or painful urination. You should also call your doctor if you’ve
recently started taking a new medication and are getting a rash.
***********************************************************

Turn down the heat. Rashes often occur during hot, humid weather. As its name implies, this is especially true of heat rash, which results in tiny pink bumps on the neck, upper back, or other parts of the body that get hot and sweaty. In most cases, this type of rash will disappear as soon as you’ve showered, dried off, and exposed the rash to air. It also helps to stay in air-conditioned areas or to use a fan and to wear comfortable clothes that help keep moisture away from the skin.

Stop the inflammation. A very effective treatment for most rashes is to apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. It helps stop inflammation and itching very quickly and is very safe to use. Just be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if hydrocortisone is all right for the type of rash that you have.

Learn to relax. The skin is very sensitive to emotional changes. Doctors have found that people who experience the most stress are often the ones most likely to get rashes. To keep your skin calm, you have to keep mind and emotions calm, as well. Doctors often recommend that people who get rashes take up meditation, yoga, or other activities that can reduce stress and help you feel calm and in control.