Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesHome RemediesDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Home Remedies
Diagnosis
Skininflammationis a sign of an immune response in the body.Symptoms include discoloration (a change in skin tone), heat, swelling, pain, and itching. Skin inflammation has many potential causes, including allergies, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
Most cases of skin inflammation are curable, although the treatment depends on what is causing the inflammation.
This article looks at six different causes of skin inflammation. It describes their signs and symptoms how they are treated, and how the underlying cause of the inflammation is diagnosed.
Know the Signs of Inflammation
Symptoms of Skin Inflammation
Symptoms of inflamed skin will vary based on what’s causing it, but common symptoms include:
Causes of Skin Inflammation
The cause or trigger of skin inflammation may beacute, such as anallergyor a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, orchronic, as with anautoimmune diseaselikepsoriasis.
Some common causes, their symptoms, and treatments include:
Infection
Skin infections occur when bacteria or other foreign substances enter the skin through a cut or wound. Skin infections tend to be more common in those with compromised immune systems.
Other risk factors include:
While some infections affect a small patch of skin, others can spread deeper into the skin layers and beyond.
Types of Bacterial Skin Infections and How to Treat Them
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of skin infections may develop gradually over time or happen quickly. A bacterial infection can feel like it came out of nowhere.
Symptoms include:
When these symptoms develop, it’s important to see your healthcare provider since cellulitis can spread to the blood and lymph nodes when left untreated.
Treatment
The treatment will depend on what is causing the infection and how severe it is.
Bacterial infections usually require antibiotics; severe cases may warrant a hospital stay with IV antibiotics.
If the infection has caused an abscess, your healthcare provider may need to drain it. Viral infections can be treated with topical medications.
Fungal infections will usually clear up after applying an antifungal cream or ointment. Parasitic infections may require specific topical or oral treatments.
Good hygiene and cleaning with soap and water daily can help to prevent many skin infections.
How Head Lice Is Treated
Immune Dysfunction
Immune conditions that have skin effects include:
Autoimmune Skin Disorders
Immune system disorders may present as rashes, blisters, and skin discoloration. An intolerance to gluten can cause itchy, discolored or red bumps on the skin each time you eat gluten. This rash is sometimes the first sign that your body is sensitive to gluten and may have celiac disease.
Psoriasis causes thick, discolored or red, scaly patches of skin called plaques. These are commonly found on dry areas like the elbows and knees; it may also present on the trunk, buttocks, face, and scalp.
Psoriasis is known for causing severe itching. It is a result of the immune system going into overdrive and speeding up skin cell growth. Rather than shedding off, old skin cells accumulate on the skin, creating thick plaques.
About 66% of people with lupus experience skin symptoms, which can include rashes and sores on areas that are exposed to sunlight. A butterfly rash is a common sign of lupus and presents as discolored, irritated skin over the face in the shape of a butterfly.
Mild cases of psoriasis can usually be treated with topical creams or ointments. If your symptoms are spread over the entire body or if you have joint pain along with skin irritation, you may require more aggressive treatment. Treatment options include:
Your treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are.
How to Properly Moisturize and Treat Psoriasis
Allergies
Anallergic skin reactioncan occur because of something you ate, drank, or touched. Two of the most common skin allergic reactions areeczemaandhives. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, you could experience an allergic reaction from household items like laundry detergent or shampoo, as well as plants,latex, and certain metals.
Signs of an allergic reaction on the skin include:
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, causes dry, discolored or red, itchy skin. This type of reaction is fairly common, and affects 10% to 20% of children and 1% to 3% of adults.Those with a family history of allergies may be at higher risk for developing eczema. If the rash leads to an infection, you may notice small, fluid-filled pustules.
Contact dermatitisresults from touching an allergen like a plant or latex. The reaction usually involves discolored or red, itchy bumps over the affected area.
The best way to treat chronic skin allergies is to see an allergist. Eczema is often treated with quality moisturizers and topical steroids if needed.
If you believe you’ve touched an allergen that is causing contact dermatitis, wash the area well with water and gentle soap. Apply a moisturizer to help with the itching and avoid scratching.
If that doesn’t help, your healthcare provider may prescribe a steroid to help with the inflammation or an antihistamine to decrease the allergic response and stop the itching. It’s also best to stay out of the sun until the reaction clears up because UV rays could further irritate your skin.
Causes and Triggers of Eczema
Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity, also known as sun allergy, is an immune system response to the sun.
If you are photosensitive, it means that your body views the normal changes in your skin from the sun as a foreign invader and sends an immune response to fight it.
Photosensitivity Reaction to Medications
Photosensitivity can cause a discolored or red, itchy rash, as well as blisters and oozing lesions. The reaction can occur on any skin exposed to UV rays from the sun or a tanning bed.
The treatment for mild photosensitivity is the same as that for sunburn:
Severe cases can cause flu-like symptoms and even weakness. See a healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these symptoms.
To help prevent photosensitivity, review all of your medications and beauty products. If any cause photosensitivity, avoid time in the sun after using them. Always practice sun safety. Daily, wearsunscreenwith an SPF of 30 or higher on all sun-exposed skin. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and light clothing. Avoid tanning beds as well.
Sunblock vs. Sunscreen: What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use?
Heat Rash
Heat rash usually appears as a fine pink rash with tiny bumps. You may also notice a pins and needles feeling over the skin. Heat rash usually appears on the neck, chest, and upper back.
If the rash is itchy, over-the-counterhydrocortisone creammay provide some relief. If the rash does not resolve after two to three days or starts to worsen and look infected, see your healthcare provider.
When spending time outdoors, make sure to take breaks inside with air conditioning or a fan. Opt for breathable, cotton fabrics to allow for sweating.
What Does a Heat Rash Look Like and How Is It Treated?
Inflammatory Skin Disorders in ChildrenSkin reactions are common in children, and some are more likely to occur than others. Common inflammatory skin reactions in children are:Diaper rashCradle capEczemaViral reactions
Inflammatory Skin Disorders in Children
Skin reactions are common in children, and some are more likely to occur than others. Common inflammatory skin reactions in children are:Diaper rashCradle capEczemaViral reactions
Skin reactions are common in children, and some are more likely to occur than others. Common inflammatory skin reactions in children are:
Sun Damage
Even short bouts of sun exposure can lead to sun damage over time. The sun causes changes in your skin that produce dry skin, sunburn, andactinic keratosis.
A mild sunburn looks like discolored or red, inflamed skin. A more severe burn can produce fluid-filled blisters and peeling. Actinic keratosis looks like a rough, scaly patch of skin. It usually occurs on an area of the body that has received frequent exposure to UV rays from the sun or a tanning bed.
Most sunburns can be treated at home, much the same as photosensitivity or heat rash. Getting out of the sun and applying a cool washcloth can provide relief.
If your skin is painful, taking over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen may help too. Be sure to protect the area from further sun exposure and drink plenty of water.
The best treatment for sun damage is to prevent it. Protect your skin with sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and long clothing. When you’re outside, take breaks in the shade or indoors.
Home Remedies to Relieve Skin Inflammation
Home remedies that can soothe the symptoms of irritated skin include:
Diagnosing Skin Inflammation
To get to the source of your skin inflammation, your healthcare provider will take a history and ask you about your symptoms and how long they have been present.
Many skin rashes can be diagnosed based on a physical exam alone, but your provider may want to do a blood test,allergy skin test, or a skin culture (to test for bacteria).
Summary
Skin inflammation has many possible causes, including infections, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. Symptoms include a rash, itching, discoloration, and swelling. While many cases can be successfully treated at home, others require a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. While not every cause of skin inflammation can be cured, most can be managed with the right treatment.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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