Torso Rash

Skin rash not only causes discomfort through itchiness, but also embarrassment when it appears on visible areas of the skin. The rash may be confined to one area of the body, may appear in patches, or may start in one area and spread to other parts. We shall now see some of the possible torso rash causes, as well as other common causes for rash.

Heat Rash

A common cause for torso rash in toddlers, heat rash is the outcome of a person's sweat ducts becoming blocked and consequently perspiration getting trapped under the skin. In infants, the rash may develop on the neck, chest, stomach, back, under arms, or near the groin.

In adults, it is more likely to crop up in skin folds and wherever clothing causes friction with the skin. It may take on one of the following three appearances:

• The mildest form of a heat rash appears in the form of tiny, clear, superficial blisters and bumps that break easily. They aren't usually itchy or painful, and usually disappear on their own.

• Also called prickly heat, this kind of heat rash usually develops after exposure to hot, humid weather resulting in red bumps that are itchy.

• A form of heat rash that usually affects adults, appears as firm, flesh-colored lesions that look like goose bumps. Due to lack of perspiration, a person may also experience heat exhaustion, dizziness, nausea and a rapid pulse.

Scabies

Scabies is a skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei which are tiny burrowing mites. Tiny red itchy bumps may appear in scattered and isolated patches. Common locations for the rash to appear are between the fingers, around the wrists, and on elbows, armpits, navel, nipples, lower abdomen, and genitals.

In addition, thin irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps can also be seen, usually in folds of your skin. The condition is considered as easily treatable, with topical creams.

Hives

Also called urticaria, hives appear in the form of raised, red, itchy welts of different sizes that appear and disappear on your skin. One may experience burning sensation or stinging pain in the affected area, along with fairly severe itching. However, the good news is that hives are usually harmless and don't leave any permanent marks on the skin.

This inflammation of the skin is usually due to an allergic reaction. Mild cases of hives may not need treatment, though the usual form of treatment is antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Cetirizine (Zyrtec).

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis appears in the form of red itchy rash or bumps. It sometimes manifests in the form of red patches which look like burns, and in severe cases there may be the formation of blisters and fluid.

Contact dermatitis is the inflammation of skin caused by contact with certain offending substances, such as soap, cosmetics, jewelry and weeds including poison ivy or poison oak. The rash appears on the areas exposed to the allergen.

Once the problem causing substance is identified, it can be avoided, after which the rash usually disappears in two to four weeks.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus ("staph" and "strep") bacteria. Impetigo comprises two types of outbreaks, one is the type that produces small yellow blisters all over the skin and cause swollen glands, while second type produces blisters on the skin, which are extremely sensitive to touch.

Impetigo is very common among children because they more often come in close contact with other children in schools and nurseries. The symptoms are divided into two types; bullous and non bullous. Bullous symptoms include the appearance of fluid-filled blisters on the torso, arms or legs.

These blisters spread quickly to other areas and burst after some days. The affected area is left with a yellow crust for several days. Non bullous impetigo begins with appearance of red sores, particularly around the nose and mouth. These sores burst very early, leaving a red mark on the skin that heals after several days without any scar.

Other causes of itchy torso rash may be viral infections of the skin, such as herpes or shingles. They may also be caused by measles wherein the rash is often seen all over the body. Fifth disease (infection by erythrovirus) also causes rash, usually on the cheeks, arms and legs.

However, in older children and adults, the rash is likely to develop after the onset of mild fever and painful swelling of the joints. Food intolerance and allergies can result in rash on face and torso.

As there exist several types and causes of skin rash, you should consult your health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.