Treatment for Rashes

Put a Stop to the Itch and Redness

As your largest organ, your skin not only takes the brunt of the outside world, protecting the body from infection, injury and sun damage, it can also send out a distress signal when something is wrong below its surface.

If you’re suffering from a red, itchy or painful rash, your skin is doing one of two things – it’s warning you about the allergens and irritants you need to avoid or alerting you to an undiagnosed medical condition. And the best way to decode its SOS is to schedule an appointment with skin rash specialist Dr. Carrie Cobb at Cobb Dermatology & Aesthetics in Lynchburg. Dr. Cobb will not only diagnose your problem, she’ll customize a treatment plan including topical or oral medications to provide you with immediate relief and prevent your rash from returning.

What Types of Rashes Does Dr. Cobb Treat?

Skin rashes are inflammations caused by either an external exposure or an internal issue. In many cases, patients place the blame on the wrong irritant and try to self-treat, causing the problem to get worse. That’s why it’s critical to get the correct diagnosis from a board-certified dermatologist.

Rashes Due to Irritants, Allergens or Organisms

Contact dermatitis – Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to something your skin has encountered, such as poison ivy, nickel, latex, cosmetics, or household products. A reaction can take up to 48 hours to appear, which can make pinpointing the cause difficult.
Fungal infections – Tiny organisms living on the skin can trigger infections, like ringworm (red, scaly rings), folliculitis (red bumps), or jock itch and athlete’s foot (blistering or cracked skin).
Parasitic infection – Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin. Once they reproduce, a rash of tiny bumps appears on the skin’s surface. Scabies most often affects kids and is super contagious.

Rashes Caused by Immune Disorders, Genetics or Allergies

Hives or allergic rashes – Hives can appear after exposure to a food item, medication or environmental factor your body is allergic to. They can also be a symptom of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
Eczema – Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is caused by an overactive immune system that responds aggressively to certain irritants or allergens. This chronic condition leads to red, itchy and inflamed skin.
Rosacea – Rosacea causes the face to redden and blush. Acne or a rash often accompany a breakout as well. Flare-ups can be triggered by stress, sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Shingles – Shingles are a side effect of the chickenpox virus. If you had the virus as a child, it remains in the nerve tissue for decades, and if it reactivates, it causes clusters of blisters on defined areas of the body.
Lichen planus – This common genetic inflammatory condition affects your skin and mucous membranes, often appearing as red or purple itchy lesions.

When Should I See a Doctor?

Rashes are extremely common in patients of all ages, but sometimes they signal a more serious condition. To receive a proper diagnosis, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible if you suffer from any of the following:

Pain
Blistering
A fever with your rash
The rash is sudden
A rash that lasts longer than two days
A rash that clears up and returns
A rash that gets worse despite over-the-counter medication
Oozing or inflammation
A rash that spreads to other areas of the body

A Skin Rash Doctor Near Me

You don’t have to suffer from inflammation and itching anymore! Dr. Carrie Cobb and her team at Cobb Dermatology & Aesthetics in Central Virginia can uncover the cause of your flare-up and recommend an effective treatment plan that will heal your rash as fast as possible. To schedule an appointment, call 434-947-5321.