PO Box 837
301 Linville Street
Glen Alpine, NC  28628
Phone (828) 584-2481
Fax (828) 584-8371

Skin Rashes and Other Changes

	Printer-friendly version

SYMPTOMS		DIAGNOSIS		SELF-CARE
1. Is the face, chest or back covered in small, pus-filled sacks or pimples, blackheads or sore, red bumps?		This sounds like ACNE, a common skin problem that often begins in adolescence.		See your doctor if over-the-counter acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide, don't help. A regimen of face washing with mild soap may be helpful. Sometimes prescription medicines, such as an antibiotic, may be prescribed.
2. Do you have facial blemishes, or a flushed appearance, perhaps with redness around your nose?		This may be ROSACEA, a skin disease that affects the face.		Treatment isn't usually needed, but antibiotics may be useful for moderate to severe symptoms.
3. Do you have a painful red swelling?		This could be a BOIL. A cluster of boils is called a CARBUNCLE. These occur due to infection.		Use warm compresses. Call your doctor if the boils don't come to a head, open and drain, or if the redness spreads.
4. Do you have a small, boil-like infection around a hair shaft or oil gland?		This could be FOLLICULITIS, an infection of the hair follicle.		Most of these will heal on their own. Clean the area. Use antibiotic ointments if needed. See your doctor if the condition doesn't improve or if the area becomes red or swollen.
5. Do you have red, tender, swollen areas of skin, perhaps around a cut or scrape?		This could be CELLULITIS, an infection of the skin.		Clean the area carefully with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment. Call your doctor if redness and pain increase.
6. Are the bumps red and itchy and are they sprinkled randomly?		These could be INSECT BITES.		These aren't usually harmful. Use hydrocortisone cream, antihistamine and ice to relieve itching.
7. Do you have irregular, raised or flat red sores that appeared after taking a medicine?		This could be an ALLERGIC REACTION to the medicine.		Call your doctor. Try an antihistamine for the itching and rash.
8. Have bumps formed anywhere on the face or body?		These could be HIVES, a skin reaction to an allergen, medicine or infection. They can also appear in some people who are very nervous.		Use an antihistamine and cool compresses for itching. If the hives don't go away on their own or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling around the lips or trouble breathing, see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
9. Is the rash scaling, oily and does it affect the areas around the eyebrows, nose or the edge of the scalp?		Go to Question 12.*
10. Is the person an adult?		This could be a sign of SEBORRHEA, a condition where the sebaceous glands overproduce.		Try using hydrocortisone cream or selenium sulfide shampoo on the sore areas. See your doctor if they continue or spread.
11. Is the person a child and does the dry, scaly skin cover the head?		This could be CRADLE CAP, a form of seborrhea in infants.		Try gently scrubbing the scales to remove them. Hydrocortisone cream may also help. See your doctor if the rash continues or if the hair doesn't grow in that area.
*12. Is the rash red, scaling and did it begin after contact with clothing, jewelry or perfume?		This could be IRRITANT CONTACT DERMATITIS. It's caused by a reaction to detergents, perfumes and other substances.		Avoid the offending agent and treat the area with hydrocortisone cream or other soothing lotions.
13. Is the rash red, itchy and are blisters forming?		This could be ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS, caused by, for example, poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.		Anti-itching lotions and sprays, using ice on the affect area and taking an oral antihistamine can help. If the discomfort is great, call your doctor.
14. Are there red, swollen, tender bumps in the armpits or other hair-bearing areas?		This could be HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA, inflammation of the sweat glands.		See your doctor. Avoid antiperspirants and deodorants.
15. Is the rash of small red dots or larger, bruise-like spots?		This could be ALLERGIC PURPURA, a serious allergic reaction to a medicine or antibiotic.		Bleeding is possible. See your doctor right away.
16. Did the rash start with a tan-colored, slightly itchy rash and within a few days, did large numbers of smaller patches of the rash, some red and others tan, break out over the chest and abdomen?		This may be PITYRIASIS ROSEA. The causes aren't known.		Check with your doctor. The rash will probably go away in a few weeks. Pityriasis rosea doesn't usually respond to treatment.
17. Is the rash intensely itchy and red, and does it appear on the upper back and arms?		This may be DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS, a rash associated with a sensitivity to gluten .		See your doctor. Medicines can help control symptoms.
18. Are the bumps large and red, and do they seem to bruise, and are they tender to touch?		This could be ERYTHEMA NODOSUM.		This doesn't usually turn into anything serious, but consult your doctor to check for other diseases or causes of your symptoms.
19. Is the rash white and scaly over a red, irritated skin base?		This could be PSORIASIS.		See your doctor. Some small amounts of sun exposure may be helpful.
20. Is the rash red and blotchy, with "target-like" sores, and hives?		This could be ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME, a common rash caused by strep throat, viral infections and reactions to medicines.		See your doctor.
21. Is the rash red, raised on the forehead and face, then spreading to the neck, trunk and downward, and are fever and sore throat present?		This could be MEASLES, a virus that often affects children.		See your doctor. Make sure your child gets an MMR immunization to help prevent this disease. Be sure to keep the affected person away from pregnant women, as measles can lead to birth defects.
22. Are there multiple blisters on the face, chest and back, and spreading downward, along with a fever, cough, aches, tiredness and sore throat?		This could be CHICKENPOX, a virus called varicella-zoster that most often affects children.		Treat symptoms with acetaminophen, cold medicines and anti-itching creams, cool compresses and baths. A vaccine is now available to prevent this disease.
23. Are there red blisters that are extremely painful that may crust?		This could be SHINGLES, a herpes-zoster viral infection of the nerves.		See your doctor. Analgesics and cool compresses may help.
24. Is the person a child who had a fever and then developed a bright red rash covering the cheeks?		This could be FIFTH DISEASE.		Use cold medicines to treat symptoms.
25. Are soft bumps forming that don't itch or cause symptoms?		These could be WARTS. PLANTAR WARTS appear on the feet. Warts also commonly appear on the hands. GENITAL WARTS appear in the genital area and are a type of sexually transmitted disease.		For most warts, you can try over-the-counter treatments. If they don't work, see your doctor about freezing them off. If the warts appear in the genital area, see your doctor. These warts shouldn't be treated without your doctor's care.
26. Is there a bald spot on the head or a "ring" of itching, red skin on the face?		This may be RINGWORM, a fungal infection that's most common in children.		Treat with an antifungal cream and/or see your doctor.
27. Is the rash red but not itchy and does it affect the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, with or without hair loss?		This may SYPHILIS, a sexually transmitted disease.		See your doctor.
28. Is the rash red and itchy and does it affect the groin area?		This could be a fungal infection called JOCK ITCH in men and YEAST INFECTION in women and DIAPER RASH in infants.		Try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If the rash doesn't respond, see your doctor. Women with irritation inside the vagina should first see their doctor to confirm the diagnosis before using over-the-counter yeast infection medicines.
29. Is the area covered in light-colored patches?		This may be TINEA VERSICOLOR, a discoloration caused by a fungus.		Tinea versicolor can be treated with seleneum sulfide or an antifungal cream.
30. Have crusted, tan-colored sores formed near the nose or lip?		This could be IMPETIGO, a rash caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep or staph.		See your doctor. Treatment usually involves an antibiotic cream or ointment and an oral antibiotic. The condition is very contagious, so wash your hands well to avoid infecting anyone else.
31. Are there bite-like sores that itch intensely, and that may have started on the hands, or between the fingers?		This is a sign of SCABIES, an infestation of mites.		Prescription medicine may be needed, along with washing clothing and bed coverings in hot water and detergent.
32, Did a fine rash start on the arms and legs and also affect palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and was there a fever and headache?		This could be ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER.		See your doctor promptly.
33. Is there a "butterfly" rash on the forehead and the cheeks?		This could be a symptom of LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, a severe, arthritis-like disease.		See your doctor if you have a rash, joint aches or any other peculiar symptoms.
34. Is the skin tinged yellow, and are the whites of the eyes and the mouth yellow?		This could be JAUNDICE. It's common in newborns but can be a sign of something blocking the liver.		See your doctor.
35. Is the area blue or black and did the discoloration occur after the area had been hit?		This is probably a BRUISE.		No treatment is usually necessary. Ice may slow the bleeding under the skin.
36. Are there scaly, pink, gray or tan patches or bumps on your face, scalp or on the back or your hands?		This could be ACTINIC KERATOSES, a type of change that mostly affects people with light skin who have been in the sun.		See your doctor to have the spots checked. Removal can be done.
37. Do you have a scar that has grown larger than expected?		This may be a KELOID, an overgrown scar.		These aren't cancerous. See your doctor if you want the keloid removed.
38. Do you have a soft or rubbery growth?		This may be a LIPOMA, a growth made up of fat cells.		These aren't cancerous, but have them checked by your doctor to make sure of the diagnosis. You can have a lipoma removed if it bothers you.
39. Is the person a newborn and is the face covered in small, white bumps?		This may be MILIA, or baby acne.		This condition usually clears up after the first few weeks of life and doesn't require treatment.
40. Do you have small, firm, round bumps with pits in the center that may sit on tiny stalks?		This may be MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM, bumps caused by a virus.		These bumps are contagious and most common in children and teens. Early treatment helps prevent the spread, so see your doctor.
41. Do you have a cyst under the skin with a white dome, perhaps on the scalp, nape of the neck or upper back?		This may be a SEBACEOUS CYST, or blocked oil gland.		These cysts aren't cancerous, but have them checked by your doctor to make sure of the diagnosis. Large cysts can be removed with surgery.
42. Do you have a soft, fleshy lump or bump, perhaps on the face, neck, armpits or groin?		This may be a SKIN TAG.		These are harmless, but if one gets irritated, you can have it removed.
43. Do you have a yellow plaque under the skin, perhaps near the eyelids?		This may be an XANTHELASMA, a fatty deposit.		If it bothers you, see your doctor about having it removed.
44. Is there a dark bump that may have started within a mole or blemish?		This could be a MELANOMA, a type of skin cancer.		See your doctor right away.
45. Is there a fleshy, growing mass on or near the nose or eyes?		This could be BASAL CELL CARCINOMA, a type of skin cancer.		Have this checked by your doctor.
46. Is there an unusual growth on the face, from the lip to the lower face or chin?		This could be SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, a type of skin cancer.		Have this checked by your doctor.
47. Are there dark or black raised spots that keep growing?		This could be KAPOSI'S SARCOMA, a serious type of skin cancer most common in people who have AIDS or other immune deficiencies.		See your doctor right away.
For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians