Body Rashes

There is nothing worse than an irritating, itchy rash. A rash is a change in the skin which affects its appearance and texture. Rashes can be located on only one part of the body or affect all skin. 

Rashes may cause the skin to change color, texture, and appearance. They may itch, be warm to the touch, bumpy, dry, cracked, blistered, swollen, and itch or be painful.

Rashes are caused by a wide variety of things, and are often difficult to diagnose, because of the diverse causes. Actually, the presence of a rash can aid in the diagnosis of a particular illness. 

The appearance of the rash, symptoms, what the patient might recently have been exposed to, such as poison oak or poison ivy, or even different soaps, laundry additives, or medications, will aid in diagnosing the cause of rashes.

Common causes of rashes are anxiety, allergies to foods, dyes, medicines, insect bites or stings, allergies to metals such as zinc or nickel, contact with an irritant, such as poison oak or ivy, lotions, soaps, etc. 

Infections by viruses such as measles, smallpox, and chicken pox, skin diseases such as eczema or acne, autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis or lupus, cancer, heat, sunburn, lead poisoning, or irritation due to rubbing on clothing.

Home Remedies for Body Rashes:

Avoid Causes:

Of course, if a rash is caused by an illness, the illness must be treated.  If the rash is caused by exposure to an external element such as laundry soap, fabric softener, bath additives, etc. that element must be removed from contact with the rash. 

If it is caused by ingesting medicine, food, food additives, or dyes in foods or drinks, further ingestion must be avoided.

Cool Baths:

To alleviate symptoms and soothe the rash, cool or tepid baths often provide temporary relief.

Adding colloidal oatmeal (regular, plain, long cook oatmeal made into a powder) to the bath provides relief. 

Benadryl, calamine lotion, medicated powders, aloe vera gel, or hydrocortisone cream applied as directed may calm the symptoms of the rash.

Poppy Seeds and Sandalwood:

Effective home remedies to relieve the symptoms of rashes and promote healing are:

• Grind one tablespoon of poppy seeds and one teaspoon water, add one teaspoon lime juice, and apply to the affected area.
• Mix one teaspoon lime juice with sandalwood paste, and apply to the affected area.

Keep the skin clean and dry, and keep the sufferer as cool as possible, as heat normally makes rashes moist and sensitive.