Is It Safe To Treat My Skin Rash In California with Over-The-Counter Medication?

Anywhere on the body, at any time, skin rashes can occur for a variety of reasons. And when they do, it’s natural to want relief as soon as possible, so why not run to the pharmacy immediately?

The short answer is yes; some types of rashes can be treated with over-the-counter drugs. There may be times when you should speak with a professional for a thorough skin analysis because there may be better solutions available.

Rashes and hives are frequent skin reactions that our staff at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group sees. Here are a few typical causes of rashes, and when seeking medical attention is advised.

What’s the meaning behind a skin rash?

An area of your skin becomes inflamed or irritated when you get a rash. Depending on the cause, these reactions can differ from person to person but are typically red, itchy, and painful. They occasionally might also turn raw or blister.

The problem with rashes is that they can signify a wide range of medical conditions, such as allergies or eczema. However, they can also be brought on by substances you come into contact with, medications you take, stress, exhaustion, and even extreme weather conditions. Rashes can manifest immediately or over a period of days, further complicating matters and making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of your reaction.

Luckily, many rashes can be cured with at-home care, such as:

• Using a more gentle cleanser
• Avoiding potential irritants, like new detergents, lotions, or cosmetics
• Padding the area dry instead of rubbing
• Use warm water when cleansing, not hot
• Leaving the area exposed to air whenever possible
• Applying calamine for rashes caused by poison ivy, sumac, or oak

In some cases, mildly irritated skin can also be soothed by over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or oral antihistamines. To determine the best course of action for your rash, you must first understand what is causing it.

When DIY remedies are ineffective

While you can treat some rashes at home, there are some circumstances in which you should seek medical assistance.

Some rashes may be a sign of more severe issues, particularly if you have:

• An eruption in a severe rash
• Uncertain of what brought on your symptoms
• Experiencing joint pains, a sore throat, or a fever
• Observe any streaks of erythema, swelling, or tenderness.
• Commenced using a new drug
• An itchy tick bite

Symptoms didn’t improve after receiving home care, or they got worse

Similar to when you have facial swelling, throat tightness, shortness of breath, or a purple rash that resembles a bruise, you should seek emergency medical attention.

Get help for your rash from experts at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group

Our team’s expertise as allergists allows us to recognize rashes and determine their underlying causes.

At Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group, we will

• Do a complete skin analysis.
• A thorough explanation of your rash, including any symptoms you noticed beforehand
• Test for allergies via the skin or blood
• After identifying the cause of your rash, we develop a personalized treatment plan to help with long-term solutions, such as allergy management techniques or eczema medication.

Additionally, you can relax knowing that we offer individualized advice to reduce the symptoms of your rash, including cream or oral medications, antihistamines, and moisturizing ointments.

The treatment of skin rashes can be simplified. To schedule, an appointment with one of our allergy doctors in California, call 805-658-9500.