Rashes are common skin infections

Rashes are very common conditions and can have many causes. Most rashes are not dangerous but rather are merely nuisance illnesses. Life-threatening skin rashes are rare, but when they rashes do occur, you must quickly go to a doctor. In most cases, a skin rash affects the entire body. A rash affects both the skin and the mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are the moist linings of the following body parts; mouth and nose, eyes, anus and rectum, vagina or urethra, the opening for urine in women, urethra opening at the tip of the penis in men. Blisters that accompany a serious rash usually have the following characteristics; Blisters involve the thin outer layer of the skin that covers large parts of the body. Blisters are tense and full of fluid at first, and then may become loose before breaking open. When they do rupture, the skin underneath is moist and usually painful. The underlying skin surface then dries up and crusts over. Pressing on a tense blister or scratching the skin next to a blister will extend the blister and make it larger. This is a common feature of these skin disorders. Blisters can involve any or all of the mucous membranes mentioned above. Blisters in these areas may not be noticeable because they rupture easily, especially in the mouth. Blisters on the mucous membranes that rupture may be very painful. When they occur in the mouth, pain makes it hard to eat or even drink. Serious rashes are usually caused by allergic reactions, disorders of the immune system, and poisonous by products of an infection. Blisters caused by these disorders occur when the proteins that connect layers of skin are attacked. Because the proteins holding them together are not working, the layers of skin come apart, and fluid fills the space between them, thus forming the blister. Pemphigus vulgaris is a skin disease that commonly attacks our society without knowing its cause. This disease is a disorder of the immune system (an autoimmune disorder). As in all auto immune disorders, the body’s natural immune system mistakenly identifies proteins within the body as foreign and begins the natural response to get rid of these foreign proteins producing antibodies to attack the foreign intruder. The targets of these antibodies are anchoring proteins within the skin. Toxic shock syndrome is another skin problem caused by an underlying infection with specific staphylococcus bacteria. Certain strains of bacteria produce poisons that are released into the bloodstream and cause disease throughout the body. Other infections that may lead to the toxic shock syndrome include superficial skin infections, surgical wound infections, infections after delivering a baby, or infected nasal packings after nasal surgery or nosebleeds. The staphylococcus also causes the Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. This disease commonly affects children. The underlying infection in children is a minor skin infection that often goes unnoticed. Management Because all these disorders are life threatening, home care is limited. Seeing the signs and symptoms early and going to a doctor right away are the only acceptable actions. If left without treatment, many of the people with any of these disorders may die. While getting to the doctor, the following care for symptoms can be started; With blisters, do not break blisters that are intact, as blisters break, do not attempt to peel away loose skin. Cover blisters with sterile gauze or clean sheets and do not apply ointments or creams to blistered or raw skin. A person may be given acetaminophen (Tylenol) to control fever and help with some of the pain and discomfort. Do not attempt to bring fever down with cold-water soaks or baths. This makes the person shiver and may actually increase internal temperature. If the fever is severe, he or she may use towels soaked in lukewarm water to wipe down the parts of the body that are not blistered. With Red eyes; do not attempt to treat any rash that affects the eyes without seeking medical attention. For mouth ulcers or sores; do not use mouthwash or any oral rinses to treat mouth sores at home. Dehydration can occur if mouth sores are severe and pain limits the intake of fluids. Frequent small sips of water or any sports drink should be encouraged to prevent or at least limit dehydration. Ends