12 May 2022
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

Do you have a new, sudden itchy, red rash? Even though you feel uncomfortable right now, you don't have to just live with the itch. Take a look at what you need to know about rashes, skin sensitivity, treatments, and how an urgent care clinic can help.

Why Do You Have A Rash?

There isn't a singular culprit that causes every rash. Instead, you will need to figure out why you have red, itchy, bumpy, or another type of rash. Some of the most common rash categories (causes behind this skin condition) include:

• Bug bites. Fleas, mosquitoes, and other biting bugs can cause raised red, pink, or skin-colored rashes. These rashes vary in size, color, and shape. The rash's appearance depends on what bit you and how sensitive you are to the bite.

• A virus. Chickenpox is a viral rash cause you may remember from your childhood. But it isn't the only virus that can cause redness or itching. Mono, measles, hand, foot, and mouth disease, shingles, and other common contagious viral infections can include a rash along with other symptoms.

• Fungal infections. Ringworm, tinea cruris, and other similar fungal infections can cause red, scaly, itchy, patchy, or raised rashes.

• Atopic dermatitis. This rash can come from several different sources. You could have a reaction to your soap, lotion, laundry detergent, or another allergen/irritant. The result is a raised, patchy, itchy, red, pink rash.

Allergic rashes don't only happen after irritants contact your skin. Foods and medications can also cause rashes. These types of allergic rashes may require immediate emergency (hospital emergency department) care. 

How Can Urgent Care Clinics Help?

If your rash is part of a severe allergic reaction that also includes respiratory or other potentially life-threatening issues, you need medical help from a hospital emergency department. The same is true for rashes that are the result of a serious illness that also includes a high fever or other significant symptoms. 

But if your rash is the most concerning or only symptom and you want to find relief, an urgent care center can:

• Provide a diagnosis. The medical providers at one of these walk-in clinics will examine the rash, ask you questions about your health history, discuss possible causes/triggers, and diagnose the issue.

• Treat the rash. The doctor or other medical practitioner may prescribe a medication, recommend an over-the-counter cream, or provide you with treatment instructions to follow at home.

• Refer you to a specialist. If the urgent care provider feels you need additional care they may recommend that you see a specialist.

Ease of access is a primary benefit of urgent care. Instead of waiting for days to see your primary care physician, you can see a walk-in urgent care clinic as soon as your rash starts—even if it's the weekend or an evening.