Skin rash: how to determine what a person is suffering from by rashes

Itching of the skin is a certain need to scratch the skin. The need to constantly scratch the skin can damage the top layer of the dermis. In turn, this can be complicated by pustular diseases, as a result of various bacteria entering the skin.

The cause of psychogenic itching is a mystery to doctors. Until recently, it was believed that itching occurs due to allergic reactions, dermatitis, urticaria, etc. Now they say that itching is a separate feeling, along with the sensation of cold, heat, and pressure.

The need to comb the skin arises when nerve receptors are exposed to various irritants, both internal and external. Surely, you have at least once noticed that you want to scratch your skin when you are nervous, even if your excited state is associated with pleasant events.

Unlike allergic itching, psychogenic itching does not manifest itself in any way. What should we mean by this? The skin does not change its condition: it does not peel, does not redden, and there is no rash on it. The patient has an urgent need to comb his body. Although there is no physiological need for this.

Types of rash and causes of its appearance

The content of the article

A rash is a visual change in the structure and color of the skin; it is characterized by redness, itching, peeling and even pain. The halo of the rash, despite its external integrity, consists of individual elements, which include:

ulcers (defects on the surface of the epidermis caused by slowing down the regenerative processes in the upper layers of the skin);
erosion (superficial epithelial defect without scar formation)
papule (dense nodule located above the surface of the skin);
vesicle (a fluid-filled capsule located in the upper layers of the epidermis);
pustule (a cavity formation on the surface of the skin filled with pus);
blister (an element on the surface of the skin caused by inflammation and swelling of the papillary dermis);
nodes (dense, painless nodules on the skin);
hemorrhages (subcutaneous hemorrhages caused by high permeability of the vascular walls);
petechiae (pinpoint subcutaneous hemorrhages caused by capillary injury);
ulcers (deeply located formations filled with pus).

Depending on the location of the skin rash, the source of the problem can be determined. In particular:

Allergic reactions cause a rash on the hands and face;
Infections are characterized by rashes on the torso (abdomen, back);
STIs are localized on the genitals, inner thighs and skin around the anus;
Stress weakens the immune system, so the rash is localized throughout the body (but, unlike allergies or rashes due to infections, the reaction to allergens and immunoglobulin will be negative)%;
Problems of the gastrointestinal tract are expressed in the form of serious skin abnormalities (with ulcerative colitis - erythema nodosum (inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue and blood vessels in the form of nodes), with problems with the pancreas - atopic dermatitis, intestinal infections provoke pyoderma - ulcers on the skin);
Rashes due to problems with blood or blood vessels appear on the abdomen and then spread throughout the body. It is characterized by the absence of itching.

Treatment

Nervous spots on the body are treated according to one standard regimen, but depending on the severity of the disease and its individual characteristics, the specialist adjusts the medications.

The following drugs are used:

Calming agents. Nervous tension, irritability, poor sleep only aggravate the situation. Spots are a result, not a cause, and therefore they need to be dealt with only after emotional and mental balance has been restored.
Immunomodulating drugs. Even frequent and serious stress attacks on an organism with good immunity are not capable of provoking the appearance of chronic spots on the body or requiring special treatment.
Antihistamines. They allow you to get rid of hidden allergens and stop the symptom of itchy skin irritation.
External products for direct treatment of rashes or blemishes. Their task is to relieve swelling, inflammation, restore smoothness, natural color and elasticity of the skin.

What type of rash is typical for allergies?

Allergy skin rashes are not caused by an immune reaction of the blood to allergic elements. This is due to haptens - simple chemical compounds that are not immunogenic. But they tend to bind to the carrier protein. Attaching to a macromolecule, the newly formed complex synthesizes immunoglobulins. The body perceives it as foreign, causing an increase in the level of leukocytes. As a result, the skin becomes covered with red spots of different sizes and different locations.

An allergic rash is characterized by the following characteristics:

It does not always cause itching and fever;
Accompanied by swelling of the face, eyelids, runny nose;
The area of the rash corresponds to the places where the skin comes into contact with the allergen (if you are allergic to jewelry - on the wrist or fingers, to deodorant - in the armpits, to cosmetics - on the eyelids or around the mouth);
A blood test shows an increase in the number of eosinophils;
The biochemical blood test remains unchanged.

The most common form of allergy rash is hives. In appearance, it resembles pink spots that appear on the skin after contact with nettles. Hives are a reaction to pollen, cosmetics, and dust. Often localized on the bends of the elbows, knees and wrists. Accompanied by severe itching and peeling of the skin.

Depending on the allergen, the rash has the following types:

Allergy to food . It is an erythematous rash in the form of rough spots rising above the surface of the epidermis. A characteristic feature of food allergies is severe itching.
Cold allergy . Occurs when exposed areas of skin come into contact with cold (air, water). Although cold does not directly provoke an allergic reaction, it is a trigger for an allergic reaction to improper functioning of the thyroid gland, spleen, etc. Cold allergies are accompanied by lacrimation, nasal discharge, as well as the appearance of whitish and pink, scratch-like spots on the skin, which disappear on their own after some time. If a person has ever had an allergy to cold, he needs to see a doctor to find out the true cause of the malfunction of the body.
Allergy (atopic dermatitis) to dust/animal hair . It is often diagnosed in children. It manifests itself in the form of an itchy rash, accompanied by increased dryness of the skin. In some cases there are weeping ulcers. The simplest test to identify atopic dermatitis: take an ordinary school ruler and press on the area of the rash for 20 seconds. If a white streak remains on the skin after a few minutes, it is atopic dermatitis. If the skin has regained its previous shade, this is a rash of a different nature.
Allergy to alcohol . Alcohol has a vasodilating effect. Accordingly, more substances, including toxic ones, are absorbed into the blood. The more components in an alcoholic drink, the stronger the allergy to it. The most “dangerous” drink is absinthe, which contains wormwood, anise, fennel, coriander, and lemon balm. The skin becomes covered with red spots, as if from burns. In chronic alcoholics who drink cheap wine every day, a red, weather-beaten face is a consequence of constant alcohol intoxication of the body. If such a reaction occurs in an ordinary person, he needs to find out the source of the allergy and consult a doctor. The biggest danger is Quincke's edema, when the lungs swell and the person dies within a few minutes.

There are 4 types of allergic rashes: food, contact, respiratory and respiratory. The biggest allergy sufferers are children. It should be remembered that not all products consumed by adults are suitable for children.

A child’s rash should not be ignored. The most dangerous is the rash caused by meningococcal infection. Outwardly, it resembles a food allergy, but at the same time the body temperature rises. It’s better to be on the safe side, and if your baby has any rash, you should consult a doctor.

Causes of facial allergies

Atypical reactions of the immune system to foods, chemicals and biological substances can cause rashes, pimples, redness, swelling and itching. The person experiences physical and moral discomfort. The manifestations of allergic reactions are varied and depend on the individual characteristics of the body. Most often, localization is observed on the forehead, temples, cheeks, behind the ears, in the décolleté area and on the neck. The most common prerequisites for allergies are:

heredity;
consequences of long-term use of medications;
unfavorable environment;
constant stress;
reduced immunity;
too high a concentration of certain substances;
insect bites;
cold or direct sunlight.

There may be other reasons; you need to approach the problem individually.

Allergies to foods and medications

There is often cross-reaction to the protein in this group, making it difficult to find the source. The speed of onset of symptoms can vary from immediate to a period of 2-3 hours. In the case of medications, the prerequisite is overdose, long-term use, too many drugs taken during the day.

Sun or cold

The body’s response is characteristic not only of winter. This could be water or food at a certain temperature. The appearance of photodermatitis is promoted by internal and external causes. Within a day or a little later after exposure to the sun, soreness and itching of the skin begin to bother. When an allergic rash appears on the face of an adult, treatment should begin immediately, otherwise the situation will worsen with each passing hour. As part of complex therapy, immunostimulating cosmetics such as Laennec are effective. Before use, you should consult with specialists.

Reaction due to eczema

Skin diseases significantly reduce the body's resistance, and any violation provokes their exacerbation. Most often, the reaction appears externally in the form of small bubbles with liquid. The acute form can become chronic, which subsequently leads to relapses.

Errors in diet

Various dietary restrictions do not go out of fashion. There are programs based on the consumption of one or just a few products for a long time, which leads to an oversaturation of the body with certain elements, since in this case there can be no talk of balance. You should not be surprised at the deterioration in well-being, since such restrictions become the causes of severe allergies on the face of an adult, the treatment of which is carried out comprehensively and will take a lot of time.

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Contact with animals, insect bites

A swollen nose and watery eyes when trying to pet a pet are a true classic of the genre. Mosquitoes, bedbugs and other blood-sucking creatures can also cause itching and redness on the skin. The toxins they inject in large quantities cause a rash, often accompanied by fever. In this case, external agents and antihistamines are recommended; dosages should be confirmed with a doctor.

Allergies due to stress

In addition to nervous tics, there are other reactions to emotional overload. Unconsciously, a person may scratch or clench their hands tightly. If such situations happen regularly, then health problems may begin. Itching, swelling of certain areas, redness, and difficulty breathing appear. The main direction of stabilizing the condition is the prescription of sedatives, breathing exercises aimed at calming the nervous system, ointments and gels to relieve external manifestations on the skin.

Infectious rash: characteristic features and difference from allergic rashes

The distinctive features of an allergic rash are vesicles (capsules with liquid inside), papules (grain-like compactions) and pustules (bubbles with pus). An infectious rash has these symptoms.

Various infections and viruses entering the body damage, first of all, the mucous membrane, as well as the skin. Unlike an allergic rash, an infectious rash is always accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

Also characteristic signs of infection:

body intoxication, vomiting, headache
fast fatiguability
phasing, spread of the rash to other parts of the body with each new day
enlarged lymph nodes
rashes look like papules, vesicles and pustules
the skin dries out and flakes off.

The infection rash is not itchy, but touching it is painful. The causes of rashes are the following diseases:

Herpes: depending on the type of virus, the skin of the face (lips) or the genitals (head of the penis, labia) are affected. The rash looks like blisters, which gradually open up and ulcers form in their place. Upon completion, a crust will form that should not be touched;
Scabies: The causative agent is a microscopic mite that leaves tiny tunnels under the skin. Unbearable itching occurs;
Chickenpox: The rash resembles a mosquito bite, filled with serous fluid. Vesicles spread throughout the body, including the scalp. The soles and palms remain intact;

Scarlet fever: the rash looks like roseola - pinpoint pink spots of various shapes. After a few days, the rash fades and turns brownish. After the temperature normalizes, the skin peels and flakes. A characteristic feature is redness of the tongue and enlargement of the papillae;
Measles: the rash looks like papules, which are localized on the inside of the cheeks and gums. The rash spreads from the neck down the back, lastly moving to the limbs. The mucous membrane of the eyes becomes inflamed;
Rubella: the skin becomes covered with red spots, localized in the thighs and buttocks, and malaise is observed;
Infectious mononucleosis: lymph nodes enlarge, adenoids swell. The rash is observed throughout the body, including on the roof of the mouth;
Meningococcal infection: This is an extremely dangerous infection that can lead to the death or disability of a child. It is by the appearance of the rash that one can notice the symptoms of the disease on the first day of infection. A rash with meningococcal infection is a consequence of exposure to toxins caused by the activity of meningococcus, which increase vascular permeability. The rash is hemorrhagic in nature, that is, it looks like small hemorrhages. Mainly localized on the buttocks and limbs.

There is an effective test to distinguish meningococcal rash from other rashes. You need to take a glass, turn it over, press on the area of the rash and twist it a little until the skin around it turns white. If the skin turns pale at the site of the rash, then it is not a meningococcal infection. If the rash remains the same color, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Photo

Spots on the skin that appear due to nervousness can immediately have a bright, aggressive color. They occur almost immediately after a serious quarrel or other acute stressful situation. They are characterized by a red tint .

White spots appear after some time from the moment of emotional or psychological overload, provided that the patient has not made immediate attempts to restore his health.

Small rashes can appear on any part of the body, and their color can be either whitish and almost transparent, or dark red.

Rash caused by diseases of the blood and blood vessels

A rash due to diseases of the blood or blood vessels is caused by damage to the walls of the capillaries, as a result of which petechiae - small bright red dots - appear on the surface of the skin. Unlike ordinary hemorrhages, a rash due to blood diseases does not change color when pressed. Other signs indicate the disease:

joint pain (knees, ankles);
black stools, diarrhea, sharp pain in the abdomen as if poisoned;
the rash covers the entire body.

Diseases that cause hemorrhagic rash include:

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (Werlhof's disease) is a blood disease in which small arteries and capillaries are blocked by blood clots. Mainly found in children, especially newborns. The disease has autoimmune causes of unknown etymology. Those. Your own immune cells perceive platelets as a foreign body and attack them. The rash is painless, occurs as a reaction to the administration of any medication, and is localized at the injection site.

Hemoblastosis. This is a malignant tumor that occurs very often in childhood. The rash has several types:

hemispheres of red-brown color, covered with a crust;
blisters with serous fluid inside;
rashes similar to bruises, both large in size and in the form of bloody dots that appear without any reason.

In all cases, the rash causes severe itching. Blood tests for hemoblastosis show a significant increase in the number of leukocytes due to decreased immunity. Hemoglobin drops, lymph nodes enlarge. Platelet counts drop and the child gets tired quickly. The main cause of rash in diseases of the blood or blood vessels is a decrease in the number of platelets and a disruption in the synthesis of proteins involved in blood clot formation. This rash also occurs when taking medications that thin the blood (Aspirin, Warfarin, Heparin).

Diabetic angiopathy. This is a violation of the vascular capacity of the lower extremities, provoked by type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Due to the disease, the walls of blood vessels become thinner and become fragile. This causes skin dystrophy. Ulcers and erosions appear on the skin.

Rash caused by digestive problems

The condition of the skin largely depends on the functioning of the internal organs. Using a map of rashes on the face, you can determine which organs have problems.

pimples on the forehead indicate problems with the intestines;
a rash along the hairline indicates problems with the gallbladder;
pimples on the bridge of the nose - liver problems;
ulcers on the temples - problems with the spleen;
rashes above the lip - disruption of intestinal function;
pimples on the nose - heart disease or endocrine disorders;
rash on the chin - gynecological problems.

Rashes due to liver diseases

In the early stages of liver disease, they practically do not manifest themselves at all. The earliest symptom is specific skin rashes. They are caused by an increase in the amount of bile acid in the blood, which causes general intoxication of the body. The skin takes on a yellowish tint.

With cholestasis (blockage of the bile ducts), the rash is localized on the feet and palms, looking like marks from a burn. With cirrhosis, liver cells die and the whole body becomes covered with spots. Parasitic liver diseases cause rashes resembling hives. They are localized in the lumbar region and abdomen.

Also characteristic is a combination of rash and spider veins, which cause severe itching, which intensifies at night. Taking antihistamines (allergy medications) does not provide relief. Increased bilirubin gives the skin a yellowish tint.

Prevention

Preventive measures to avoid attacks of the disease should be carried out daily. These are simple procedures and rules. They do not burden your normal lifestyle.

Prevention measures:

Avoid stressful situations.
Complete nutrition. The diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals; the internal balance of a person’s condition depends on this. Fasting is prohibited. It provokes nervous stress and exhaustion of the body.
Maintain drinking regime. Water speeds up metabolic processes and saturates the body with oxygen.
Drink various soothing infusions of mint, lemon balm and chamomile. Milk with honey at night improves the quality of sleep.
Sports and fitness activities. With the help of yoga, you can calm down and find emotional balance, and relax a little.
Taking additional complexes of vitamins and microelements to improve immunity and resistance to stress.
Be able to distract yourself from business and switch to relaxation. Having a hobby is the best option.
Think positively even in difficult situations. There is always a way out. In a calm state, a person is able to cope with many things.
Use breathing exercises. With the help of this procedure it is very easy to calm down and activate brain activity, concentrate and make the right decision.
Experimenting, changing something and trying new things always improves your mood and gives you a surge of energy.
If self-control gets out of control and no calming technique is suitable, then it is better to seek help from a psychologist. He will listen, determine the complexity of the moral state and prescribe therapy to improve and strengthen well-being.

It is important to use various therapies and procedures for relaxation. This will help take your mind off problems and improve the functions of the nervous system. Any failures and violations must be stopped at the early stages with the help of specialists and independent exercises. A healthy nervous system means a beautiful appearance and good health.

Rashes due to intestinal diseases

If the contents of the intestines are poorly removed from the body, then some of the toxins will begin to penetrate into the blood. The body begins to get rid of poisons itself through the excretory system. Because of this, the condition of the skin worsens, and it becomes characteristic of:

increased fat content
dull complexion
acne, not only on the face, but also on the back, stomach, chest
noticeable “black dots” similar to volcanic craters
skin becomes dry and dehydrated
After acne heals, scars remain.

After the New Year holidays, many people note a deterioration in their skin condition and notice minor rashes that go away on their own. They are associated with contamination of the body with toxins caused by eating large amounts of heavy food.

Predisposing factors

Skin diseases provoked by emotional disturbances are in most cases recorded in young children and hysterical women, and pregnant women.

In most cases, pathologies are temporary . However, medicine knows cases of the chronic course of such pathologies associated with unfavorable working conditions and individual characteristics of the human nervous system.

Among the most common reasons leading to the appearance of spots are:

mental and emotional overload;
depression;
irritability or aggression;
chronic lack of sleep;
fears;
disturbances in the cardiovascular, endocrine or digestive systems;
decreased immunity;
hormonal imbalances;
general intoxication.

Nervous rash

Stress and nervous tension often cause skin rashes. Under the influence of a stressful situation, the immune system is suppressed. The body spends its resources to maintain the normal state of internal organs. For this reason, previously hidden diseases worsen. Also, weakened immunity provokes urticaria - a small rash similar to the reaction of the epidermis to the touch of nettles. This pathology is otherwise called nervous eczema. It, unlike a normal allergic reaction, is accompanied by the following symptoms:

severe itching that is not relieved by antihistamines
pulse quickens, hand tremors are felt
restless sleep, night sweats
panic attacks, feelings of anxiety and danger
swelling of the face and limbs.

Typically, nervous eczema occurs after a traumatic situation or severe stress. Treating skin rashes with creams or medications does not help. Improvement comes only after the life situation normalizes. Itchy urticaria due to nervousness can be soothed by baths with sea salt, which also have a good effect on the nervous system.

Frequently asked questions

Is it true that if a person has been in a state of nervous tension for a long time, he becomes more susceptible to various diseases? Can a nervous condition lead to illness?

Doctors' observations say that an initially mentally and physically healthy person is able to endure prolonged or severe stress without subsequent complications in the form of illnesses.

But if the body already has its own “weak points” in the form of a predisposition to diseases, disorders in the early (not yet identified) stages, or is weakened by a disease, then overstrain of the nervous system can trigger a whole cascade of ailments. Frequent examples of such developments are the formation of hypertension, weight loss or gain after stressful events.

Is it true that all “diseases are from nerves”?

Many diseases have causes and mechanisms of development in the form of disorders of the nervous system and psyche. But it is not correct to say that “all diseases are from nerves.” There are other causes for diseases: genetic defects, infections and poisonings, injuries, there are many disorders with an undetected etiology.

Can internal diseases cause mental disorders?

Yes. Body and psyche are connected. A significant part of diseases of internal organs can contribute to behavioral disorders and lead to mental illness.

For example, atherosclerosis and hypertension, if left untreated and progressing, will cause encephalopathy and psychoorganic syndrome (decreased memory, intelligence, emotional instability). Insufficiency of the thyroid gland leads to a decrease in intellectual capabilities.