Spotting new bumps on your body can lee you scrambling to find pictures of skin rashes to compare them against. While there’s a large range of things that can cause skin rashes, doing your best to decipher what’s behind yours can help set you on the path to finding a solution.
Unfortunately, skin rashes are very common, points out Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. “Almost everyone gets a rash at some point in life or another, and there are so many different types,” she says. Skin rashes can be tricky even for dermatologists to diagnose without seeing those bumps in person, Dr. Rodney says. That makes it especially hard for you to diagnose yourself using photos you find online.
But a rash is a sign that something is going on in your body or that you’ve been exposed to an irritant, making this an important symptom to be aware of, Dr. Rodney says.
Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics; Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
At baseline, all rashes he inflammation in common, according to Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. (Just be aware that some of the chronic skin conditions listed below, like acne and rosacea, are not usually considered rashes by dermatologists—but they may look like rashes to you, making them important to call out.) Sometimes the inflammation is minor; Other times it’s more intense and needs medical treatment.
If you he a rash that comes and goes quickly, it was probably something random that caused minor irritation on your skin, like a cream or detergent. But if you he a rash that won’t quit and you’re not sure what’s causing it, it’s important to see a dermatologist for an evaluation.
While you’re waiting for your appointment, scroll down to see photos of common skin rashes and the symptoms that can come with it to get a sense of what you may be dealing with. While this isn’t a diagnosis, and the appearance of rashes can vary based on your skin type and individual response, it can give you a general idea of what may be behind your rash. Use the below information to help you get a sense of what you may be dealing with.