Jaundice in children

Possible causes of skin redness

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Skin redness can occur due to an allergic reaction or a sunburn, but there are other causes that you should be familiar with. The redness or irritation might be due to the rush of extra blood to the surface of the skin to fight off irritants and promote healing. In some cases, excess exertion such as after a strenuous physical activity can lead to redness of the skin.

It is important to note that skin redness is not always an issue for concern but can be irritating and uncomfortable. Determining the underlying cause is vital so that treatment can be started and prevent it from occurring again.

What are the indications of skin redness?

The indicative symptom linked with skin redness is the varying colors of redness on the skin surface. Remember that the redness can manifest in varying degrees and on various parts of the body. Some of the symptoms that can occur along with the reddened skin include:

  • Bumps
  • Blistering
  • Burning sensation
  • Flushing
  • Itching
  • Hives
  • Swelling
  • Rash
  • Sores
  • Warmth of the skin

What are the causes?

There are various causes for skin irritation such as exposure to the sun, irritants and even insect bites. Certain skin conditions linked with skin redness include the following:

  • Cellulitis
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Skin infections
  • Bites
  • Sunburn
  • Heat rash
  • Diaper rash
  • Skin burns
  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema
  • Shingles
  • Allergy to medications
  • Rosacea
  • Ringworm
  • Scarlet fever

Remember that skin redness can be a brief condition but it can also be chronic that has the tendency to recur.

When to seek medical attention

It is vital to seek immediate medical care if the following symptoms linked with skin redness are present:

  • Intense pain
  • Burn bigger than the size of the palm
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Redness close to or on the eyes and affects normal vision
  • Loss of consciousness

It is vital to seek medical care for an animal bite even if the individual has received a tetanus shot. A doctor or dermatologist should be consulted for other symptoms that are not regarded as a medical emergency.

Management

The treatment for skin redness usually depends on the cause such as avoidance of the irritant or allergen that triggered the redness in the first place. Other measures to deal with the skin redness include the following:

  • Cleansing the affected area using water and soap
  • Application of topical products such as calamine lotion
  • Medications such as antihistamines to reduce irritation.

It is vital to keep the affected area dry and clean to minimize the skin redness. In case an infection is the cause, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics to reduce the symptoms of the infection.

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