No matter the cause of the rash, they can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. While you can certainly seek medical care to take care of your or your child’s rash, there are some things you can do at home that can help treat it, too!

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides some additional helpful information on rashes.

What Causes a Skin Rash?

Skin rashes can be caused by many things, including infections, heat, allergens, immune system disorders and medications.

Perhaps the most common cause of a skin rash, though, is contact dermatitis, which is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance (like poison ivy) or an allergic reaction to it. The rash isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but like almost all rashes, it can be very uncomfortable. We’ve listed some of its common symptoms below.

Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis

• A red rash
• Itching, which may be severe
• Dry, cracked, scaly skin
• Bumps and blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting
• Swelling, burning or tenderness

What Can I Do to Lessen the Severity of My Rash?

In addition to the home remedies that we’ve listed below, one of the best things you can do to lessen the severity of your rash is to not scratch it. Many of us know that this is a cardinal rule of dealing with a rash, but it’s a cardinal rule for a reason! Scratching a rash can cause it to become infected, which leads to more serious medical complications and an even longer duration of dealing with the rash.

Try these remedies that we’ve listed, and don’t be afraid to visit our AFC center to get more treatment if you need it!

At-Home Rash Treatments

• Apply cold. Whether you choose a cold compress, cool showers or a damp cloth, cold water can bring immediate relief and can help stop swelling, ease itching and slow the progression of a rash.
• Baking soda. The chemical makeup of baking soda acts as a buffer, keeping solutions in stable acid-alkali balance. For this reason, baking soda can work to soothe your skin by balancing the skin’s pH levels.
• Epsom salts. These salts have been found to improve the skin barrier function, help the skin retain moisture and reduce inflammation.
• Coconut oil. Coconut oil has been used for centuries as a cooking oil and skin moisturizer. It’s high in saturated fats and has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Has your child returned home from a local sports camp with a rash? Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia center today!