Urgent Care for Rashes and Allergic Reactions in San Antonio, TX

What Are Rashes?

A skin rash is any area of irritated or swollen skin. Rashes are often itchy and painful and appear differently on different skin tones. 

Sometimes, they can appear suddenly or be a sign of a medical emergency.

Common Rash Symptoms

Here are some of the most common symptoms of rashes:

• Itching (usually the most common)
• Bumps
• Areas of raw skin
• Irritation
• Pain
• Blistering
• Swelling
• Redness

Do you have a common rash, like an allergic skin reaction, or is it more serious, requiring urgent care? Let’s review common types next, and when you might need to seek urgent care for rash treatment.

What Type of Rash Do You Have?

There are different types of rashes, and all have different causes. Let’s explore the most common:

Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects the outer layer of the skin. It causes the skin to become inflamed, red, cracked, scaly, itchy, and rough. Stress and irritants are the primary causes of eczema, but it may also appear as an allergic reaction.

There are various types of eczema, which include:

• Atopic dermatitis
  This is the most common type of eczema. It is marked by itchy, red, and inflamed skin, often with dryness and scaling. 
• Contact dermatitis
  Contact dermatitis is characterized by flat or raised, small, and itchy growths on the skin. It occurs after contact with an irritant (e.g., metals, dyes, chemicals, soaps, detergents, etc.).
• Dyshidrotic eczema
  Small, painful, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet characterize dyshidrotic eczema. This rash is often triggered by stress, allergies, and exposure to certain metals.
• Nummular eczema
  Nummular eczema is characterized by round, coin-shaped spots that are itchy and often scaly. Often found on the arms, legs, hands, and torso, these spots can be triggered by dry skin, environmental irritants, stress, and skin injuries.
• Seborrheic dermatitis
  Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by red, scaly, itchy, flaking, and greasy patches on the scalp, face, and upper body. The exact cause is unknown, but it may result from genetic factors, an overgrowth of yeast, and an abnormal immune response.
• Stasis dermatitis
  This rash results from poor blood circulation, typically in the lower legs, and is often associated with chronic venous insufficiency. It is characterized by swelling, redness, itching, and scaling. If left untreated, it can also lead to skin discoloration, sores, and ulcers.

Urticaria

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a skin condition characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, red, itchy welts or bumps. These welts may change shape and location and result from allergic reactions to food, medications, insect stings, stress, infections, or sunlight.

Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea usually begins with a large, oval, scaly patch, followed by smaller lesions. These red or pink patches often appear on the chest, abdomen, and other areas, typically caused by bacteria or a virus.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that speeds up the growth of skin cells, leading to red, scaly, and thickened plaques on the skin’s surface. Psoriasis is an incurable inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects all people of both sexes.

Miliaria

Miliaria, or heat rash, commonly occurs when sweat glands become blocked, trapping sweat beneath the skin. This mild rash appears in clusters or small bumps that produce a stinging sensation and typically clears when the affected skin patch cools.

Now that we’ve explored common skin rashes, it is essential to know whether they are contagious and when to seek urgent care for rashes and specific allergic reactions. 

Are Rashes Contagious?

There are contagious and noncontagious rashes, although most fall in the latter category. The ones mentioned above, except for pityriasis rosea, are noncontagious.

Contagious rashes are caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses and include measles, chickenpox, scabies, and ringworm, among others. These spread when you come into direct contact with an infected person.

When Should I Seek Urgent Care for a Rash?

Most rashes are not life-threatening, but some can signal a more serious health problem. Severe rashes appear suddenly, spread rapidly, and cause intense pain or discomfort. They are often accompanied by a fever or unusual fluids like pus. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing a rash with one or more of the following allergic skin reaction symptoms, seek immediate urgent care to avoid further complications:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe pain
• Fever
• Blisters
• Yellow or green fluid (this could be an indication of an infection)
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Signs of infection (e.g., warmth, redness, tenderness)

If you are unsure about the severity of your skin irritation, especially if it persists or worsens for more than a few days, go to your nearest Alamo City Urgent Care location for skin rash relief today.

What Causes Rashes?

Rashes can be triggered by several factors, ranging from allergic reactions to infections and underlying medical conditions. Some common causes and underlying conditions include:

• Allergens (e.g., foods, medications, chemicals, plants, etc.)
• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
• Herpes viruses (e.g., herpes simplex I & II, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr)
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and psoriasis)
• Insect bites and stings
• Eczema
• Yeast or lice
• Heat, sweat, and stress

Treatment depends on the identified cause. For example, if the rash is caused by a preexisting medical condition, like lupus, the treatment will focus on managing lupus.

Rash Treatment and Management

Treatment for rashes largely depends on the underlying cause and type of rash but may include antihistamines, steroids, antibiotics, immunomodulatory drugs (great for atopic and contact dermatitis), and ultraviolet therapy.

All rashes appear the same to an untrained eye, but they are not. Before trying any of the treatments, it is crucial to have a proper medical assessment to determine the type and the cause. Remember, not all rash treatments work for everyone.

Also, pay attention to the symptoms. If you notice any abnormalities with the skin or have accompanying symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek urgent care for rash diagnosis and treatment in San Antonio.

Visit Alamo City Urgent Care for Rash Treatment

If you or a loved one has a rash that does not improve on its own within a few days, visit Alamo City Urgent Care for prompt and effective urgent care treatment.

You can book ahead to save time or simply walk in.