Skin irritations - when should you see the doctor?

Skin rashes and irritations come in all different shapes and sizes. Although they’re not an unusual occurrence, they can be a cause for concern as they‘re not only unsightly but can be uncomfortable and painful if left untreated. However, despite being red and itchy, many common rashes will go away on their own after a few days or with some over-the-counter cream or medication. But how do you know what is a simple, easily treatable rash or something more severe? 

In truth, there isn’t a set answer to this question, as rashes and irritations to the skin can occur for several reasons and take different forms, depending on the individual and the causes. But to give you a better indication of how to assess rashes and seek the most appropriate course of treatment, here are a few informative pointers. 

The most common causes of skin irritations

Numerous conditions can cause a rash to appear, and many of these have distinctive characteristics, but here are some of the most common ones: 

• Allergies to food, animals, cosmetics, cleaning chemicals and plants when they come into contact with the skin or are ingested; 
• Insect bites – bees, wasps, mosquitos
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Reactions to poisonous plants such as stinging nettles or giant hogweed
• Stress
• Eczema
• Environmental toxins
• Fungal infections
• Heat
• Illness such as chickenpox, measles or shingles
• Side effects of medication

What are the signs of ‘simple’ skin irritation and how long do they last?

Skin irritation can take different forms, such as small red bumps, blisters, dry skin or spreading scaly, inflamed patches. In most cases, these are likely to be contact dermatitis, where you have come into contact with something that you’re allergic to. Some of these rashes will naturally disappear after a few days or up to two weeks but can be treated with over-the-counter creams, lotions, and antihistamines, as well as an exclusion process to identify what has caused the reaction. 

This could be as simple as changing your soaps and washing powder for non-perfumed to food exclusion diets. If these methods don’t work, and the rash persists, it’s time to seek medical advice. 

What are the signs of a ‘serious’ irritation and when should you call the doctor?

With skin rashes, many people feel that they don’t want to ‘bother’ their doctor, but some irritations definitely shouldn't be ignored. These include:

• An infected cut or a rash that has pus or a tracking rash along the vein – this can be a sign of blood poisoning;
• If you experience additional symptoms alongside the rash, such as joint pain, breathlessness, fever, aches, headaches, swollen tongue or a sore throat or darkening of the skin or bleeding, you should seek medical assistance immediately;
• If the rash persists, doesn’t improve or continues to spread to other areas;
• If there are large fluid blisters with the rash;
• If the rash occurred shortly after eating, taking medication or an insect bite and is quickly progressing – seek medical attention right away;
• If the rash is painful;
• If over-the-counter treatments do not work.

Natural remedies that can help

Whilst some of these cases are severe reactions, some of them may just be that you need a more intense prescribed treatment for a rash. 

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of ‘natural’ remedies you can try first. That being said, always be sure to seek medical advice before carrying out treatments at home, as some products or remedies could do more harm than good. 

Some natural remedies that are known to help include coconut butter, which is said to be ideal for treating simple skin irritations, as it’s full of natural antioxidants that can soothe the skin. Also, if you have blisters or a burning rash, Aloe Vera products can help to cool the area, along with a cold compress. If you’re treating insect bites or rashes, such as chickenpox, traditional chamomile lotion works to soothe and treat the area too. 

If in doubt, seek help

When it comes to the causes and treatments for skin irritations, if you’re ever in any doubt or dealing with a persistent problem, then seek advice from your local pharmacist or our dedicated GP. 

She will ensure you get the right treatment and a much quicker resolution to overcoming the condition.

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