Rash
Description
A rash is a skin surface eruption involving either isolated or extensive areas of the body. The eruptions occur in the form of red spots, patches, or blisters.
A rash is often a symptom of another disorder, particularly infections. Secondary infections may also occur because of the rash, however, in most cases rashes are temporary conditions which appear and disappear within a few days.
Heat rash (prickly heat, miliaria) is a particular form of this condition characterized by an itchy, burning sensation. It is common in persons with overlapping folds of fat, particularly the obese and infants. The rash occurs at moist parts of the body where skin surfaces can touch (e.g., the neck and between the legs).
It should be noted heat rash is not the same as chafing, a condition caused by excessive friction between two body parts. Treatment for heat rash includes careful methods of keeping the area cool and dry. Treatments for other types of rashes are best cured by treating the underlying cause.
"Rashes" may be associated with any of the following conditions:
Athlete's foot
Chickenpox
Candidiasis
Dandruff
Dermatitis (Eczema)
Drug abuse
Food allergy
Herpes
HIves
Lyme disease
Measles
Mononucleosis
Pellagra
Poison Ivy etc.
Psoriasis
Ringworm (Worms)
Rosacea
Scabies
Seborrhea
Shingles
Causes
Primary Factors
Allergic Rash
Excessive exposure to the sun
Excessive heat or cold
Fabrics
Certain foods
Chemicals (detergents are a common cause)
Certain drugs
Rashes Due to Infections
| Measles | Other sexually transmitted diseases |
| German measles | Shingles |
| Smallpox | Typhus fever |
| Chickenpox | Rocky mountain spotted fever |
| Herpes simplex |
Heat Rash
Primarily the inability of sweat to reach the skin surface where it should evaporate and lower the body temperature--this occurs due to blocked sweat glands
Predisposing Factors
Need to perspire because of:
Hot weather
Physical exertion
Tight clothing
Overdressing
Signs & Symptoms
| Red spots | Patches |
| Blisters | Itching |
If these are the only symptoms, an allergic rash is indicated. If other symptoms occur at the same time an infectious disease is indicated.
Heat rash
Tiny, pin-sized red pimples
Prickly sensation
Itching
Burning sensation
Drug rash Symptoms vary depending on the drug involved; some common symptoms are:
| Fever | Nausea |
| Malaise | Photophobia |
| Arthralgia | Itching |
Nutritional Supplements
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Bromelain | 5 - 10 mg | 2 - 5 mg |
| Fish oils | 4 - 8 g | 2 - 4 g |
| Vitamin C | 1000 - 3000 mg | 500 - 2000 mg |
| Vitamin E | 600 - 800 IU | 200 - 400 IU |
Wheatgrass*
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
A rash in the absence of fever can be a symptom of a food allergy. The most common allergenic foods are: fruit juices, nuts, chocolate and milk. According to one author, more than 140 foods have been implicated as causing food allergies.
The Elimination Diet should be used to identify the offending substance or substances. The allergen can then be excluded from the diet.
Homeopathic Remedy
Heat Rash
1. Aconitum Napellus tinct. - 15C repeat hourly for 4 doses
2. Rhus Toxicodendron - 30C
3. Mezereum - 15C
See also: Dermatitis
Eczema
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Burdock root
Poison Ivy
Pau D'arco
White oak bark
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Pau D'arco may be applied as a lotion.
White oak bark is applied as a wet bandage, after being soaked in lime water.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Chamomile Essence, | Eucalyptus Essence, |
| Lavender Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
| Chickenpox | Fever |
| Rubella | Herpes simplex |
| Shingles (herpes zoster) | Infection |
| Itching | Measles |
| Obesity | Rocky mountain spotted fever |
| Smallpox | Typhus fever |
References
Adelman HM et al., Scurvy resembling cutaneous vasculitis. Cutis, 1994 Aug, 54:2, 111-4.
Alpers, D.H., R.E. Clouse & W.F. Stenson. 1983. Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics. Little, Brown, and Company, Boston. 457
Assi, Muneer E. et al: Scurvy in a Nonalcoholic Person in the United States. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, December 1992;92(12):1529-1531.
Barashnev, I. & I.N. Rozova. Role of Vitamin B-6 in Treating Children with, Hives. Vopr. Pitan., 4. 1979.
Berkow, R. 1977. The Merck Manual. Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories Pub., Rahway, New Jersey. 2165 pp.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Boiko S: Diapers and diaper rashes. Dermatol Nurs, 1997 Feb, 9:1, 33-9, 43-6; quiz 47-8.
Buehning, L. & Goltz, R. W.: Acquired Zinc Deficiency in a Premature Breast-Fed Infant. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 1993;28(3):499-501.
Cetta, F. et al: Newborn Chemical Exposure From Over-The-Counter Skin Care Products, (frequency of, toxicity of, bathing, shampoo, rash), Clinical Pediatrics, May 1991;30(5):286- 289.
Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide. William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.
Faintuch J et al., Hematologic disorders in trauma patients during parenteral alimentation with lipids. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo, 1996 Mar-Apr, 51:2, 60-4.
Fan PC et al., Impaired immune function in a premature infant with zinc deficiency after total parenteral nutrition [see comments]. Acta Paediatr Sin, 1996 Sep-Oct, 37:5, 364-9.
Galil K et al., The sequelae of herpes zoster [see comments]. Arch Intern Med, 1997 Jun 9, 157:11, 1209-13.
Haas, P.J. Modification of Itching and Erythema and Wheals of the Skin. Fortschr. Med., 101. 1983.
Hamilton, H.K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.
Iliev D & Elsner P: Generalized drug reaction due to papaya juice in throat lozenges. Dermatology, 1997, 194:4, 364-6.
Johnson, G.J. & H.S. Gilbert. Long-Term Treatment of Systemic Mastocytosis with Histamine Antagonists. American Journal Of Gastroenterology, 74. 1980.
Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.
Margolis, S. 1984. Food allergies - Nutritional Management: The Johns Hopkins Handbook. M. Walser, A.L. Imbembo, S. Margolis and G.A. Elfert, eds. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
Okada, A. et al: Skin Lesions During Intravenous Hyperalimentation: Zinc Deficiency. Nutrition, January/February 1989;5(1):11-20.
Philipp R et al., Getting to the bottom of nappy rash. ALSPAC Survey Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. Br J Gen Pract, 1997 Aug, 47:421, 493-7.
Pierce PF: Physical and emotional health of Gulf War veteran women. Aviat Space Environ Med, 1997 Apr, 68:4, 317-21.
Sharma, S.C. & W.M. Wilson. Cellular Interaction of Ascorbic Acid with Histamine and the Immediate Hypersensitivity Reaction. International Journal Of Vitamin Nutrition Research, 50. 1980.
Singleton JK: Pediatric dermatoses: three common skin disruptions in infancy. Nurse Pract, 1997 Jun, 22:6, 32-3, 37, 43-4 passim.
Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.
Wyngaarden, J.B. & L. H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.
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