Rash Treatment Online: Rash Diagnosis and Prescriptions
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Rash Treatment Online
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Rash treatment: get relief fast with online medical care

If you need help diagnosing and treating your rash, our virtual appointments make it affordable and convenient to speak to a board-certified primary care doctor. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your skin issues from a medical professional can empower you to live comfortably and confidently.*

PlushCare Content Team
Written by PlushCare Content Team
Stephen Vogel, MD
Medically reviewed by Stephen Vogel, MD
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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how you can save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of rashes. Our primary care physicians can evaluate your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, or for in-person diagnosis treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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What does a rash look like?

Whether a rash is itchy, burning, bumpy, inflamed or just unattractive, we all wish rashes would just disappear sooner than later. Fortunately, our caring online doctors are available 24/7 to help you treat a rash as soon as you need it. What is a rash, anyway?

In medical terms, a rash is a change in the color or texture of the skin. Many skin rashes may appear dry, itchy, painful, and bumpy. While rashes are commonly described as red, some may appear gray, purple, or white on darker skin tones. In general, they are a sign of irritation, infection, or underlying disease. Some common symptoms of skin rashes include:

 

  • Itchy skin

  • Raised red welts or small bumps

  • Leathery patches that are darker than usual (hyper-pigmented) on darker skin tones

  • Dry, cracked, scaly areas on lighter skin tones

  • Swelling, burning, or tenderness around the affected area


Various factors cause rashes, including irritants, allergens, infections, or underlying medical conditions. Many rashes are harmless and can be treated at home. If you have a persistent rash that worsens with time, however, consult one of our doctors for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common rash causes

Skin rashes are often lumped together under the term dermatitis, which just means that your skin is inflamed and overreacting to irritation. Contact dermatitis can be caused by any number of things, such as:

  • Chemicals in rubber, latex, and elastic products

  • Cosmetics, soaps, and laundry detergents

  • Dyes and other chemicals in clothing

  • Poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac


Seborrheic dermatitis is a type that appears in flaky, greasy red and yellow patches around the face and can show up on the scalp. Mild seborrheic dermatitis is known as dandruff. It’s not known exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis, but things that make it worse include:

  • High stress levels

  • Fatigue

  • Hot and cold extreme temperatures

  • Infrequent shampooing

  • Harsh soaps, lotions, and skincare products

 

Other common causes of a skin rash include eczema, psoriasis, impetigo,