Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTypesTreatmentsSeeking Medical CareTriggers
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Types
Treatments
Seeking Medical Care
Triggers
A stomachrashcan cause pain, itching, and general discomfort. There are numerous underlying causes of stomach rash, including infections and allergies. Identifying the type of rash can help pinpoint the right treatment to find relief.
This article will discuss the causes of stomach rash, treatments, and when to contact a healthcare provider.
Iuliia Burmistrova / Getty Images

Causes of Stomach Rash
There are numerous causes of stomach rash. Most of the causes fall under one of three categories:
Other causes of stomach rashes are stress and cold or hot weather.
What Medications Can Cause Stomach Rash Symptoms
The medications that are most likely to cause stomach rashes are:

Variations of Stomach Rash Symptoms
Stomach rash symptomscan include:
Types of Stomach Rashes
Below covers several types of stomach rashes, and discusses the underlying cause and potential treatments.
Intertrigo
Ways to heal and prevent intertrigo include:
Secondary infections (infections that occur during or after treatment for a primary infection) should be treated with medications specific to the type of infection.
Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, are red, itchy patches of skin that can turn into swollen welts. They can occur anywhere on the skin, including the stomach. One unique characteristic of hives is that they blanch (turn white) when pressed.
Numerous substances or factors can trigger hives. They include:
The best way to treat hives is to avoid the substances that trigger the rash. For those who already have hives one way to help get rid of them is to take anantihistamine. This medication will help block the histamine response and alleviate the rash symptoms.
Pityriasis rosea
Before someone gets a pityriasis rosea rash, they may feel sick for several days or weeks before the rash appears. When the rash appears it is oval and slightly raised. It tends to be pink or salmon colored. After the rash first appears it can grow in size for about two weeks, at this point the small bumps surrounding the rash form.
For most people,pityriasis rosearash does not need to be treated. It will go away on its own within six to eight weeks. Hydrocortisone cream, triamcinolone ointment, or an antihistamine can help if the rash is itchy.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a type ofeczemathat causes itchy, dry, and scaly skin. It can happen anywhere on the body, including the stomach.It tends to present in childhood and go away during the teen years.Researchers are not entirely sure why atopic dermatitis develops, but it’s believed that genes and environment both play a role.
Atopic dermatitis cannot be cured, but there are treatments to help reduce the symptoms. Applying moisturizer is an important treatment to prevent the skin from cracking. Othertreatment optionsinclude:
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitisis a rash that occurs when the skin comes into contact with something it is sensitive or allergic to. This could be perfume, poisonous plants such as poison ivy, soap, or one of many other substances.
The symptoms of contact dermatitis are:
For those who have had contact dermatitis, it’s important to find out what caused it, so that trigger can be avoided to prevent future rashes.
Infectious Causes
One of the most common causes of a rash is an infection, often a viral infection. Examples ofviral rashesinclude:
Viral rashes usually have small pink spots and can appear almost anywhere but are often seen on the stomach, chest, and back. A fever or cold symptoms typically accompany the rash.
Syphilisis another type of bacteria that can form a rash on the stomach. It is during the secondary stage of syphilis that a rash on the stomach can form. It is also seen on the hands and feet. It appears as rough red or brown raised bumps on the skin.
Bacterial rashes are generally treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic will vary based on which bacteria is causing the infection.
How to Treat a Stomach Rash
Stomach rash treatment will vary based on its cause. It’s important to see a healthcare provider to determine the cause of the rash to get the proper treatment. When a rash can be treated at home the treatments may include:
Mast Cell Activation and Stomach RashesMast cell activation syndromeis a condition in which the body releases excess amounts of the chemical histamine, causing allergy symptoms without a clear cause. The symptoms can include hives and flushing, which can appear on the stomach. Treatments will vary based on symptom severity and can include antihistamines, epinephrine, and corticosteroids.
Mast Cell Activation and Stomach Rashes
Mast cell activation syndromeis a condition in which the body releases excess amounts of the chemical histamine, causing allergy symptoms without a clear cause. The symptoms can include hives and flushing, which can appear on the stomach. Treatments will vary based on symptom severity and can include antihistamines, epinephrine, and corticosteroids.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
A rash can be a sign of a more serious condition. Contact a healthcare provider if the rash:
If someone hasdifficulty breathingor has swelling in their mouth orthroat, call911. These are symptoms of a serious reaction.
Stomach Rash Triggers
Numerous factors, including infections and allergens, can trigger stomach rashes. When the trigger has been identified, then it can be easier to avoid in the future, preventing rashes such as those that develop on the stomach. If it is difficult to determine the trigger, try to keep a log or diary of foods and substances that touch the skin. This may help narrow down a trigger.
Summary
Many different causes, like infections and allergies, can trigger a stomach rash. If you develop a stomach rash, see a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and to get started on the proper treatment. Treatments can include topical creams and oral medications.
12 SourcesVerywell 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.John Hopkins Medicine.Drug rashes.MedlinePlus.Rashes.DermNet.Intertrigo.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives (urticaria).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Seattle Children’s.Rash or redness - widespread.New York State Department of Health.Bacterial skin infections: Impetigo and MRSA.DermNet.Syphilis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical attention.
12 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.John Hopkins Medicine.Drug rashes.MedlinePlus.Rashes.DermNet.Intertrigo.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives (urticaria).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Seattle Children’s.Rash or redness - widespread.New York State Department of Health.Bacterial skin infections: Impetigo and MRSA.DermNet.Syphilis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical attention.
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.
John Hopkins Medicine.Drug rashes.MedlinePlus.Rashes.DermNet.Intertrigo.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives (urticaria).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Seattle Children’s.Rash or redness - widespread.New York State Department of Health.Bacterial skin infections: Impetigo and MRSA.DermNet.Syphilis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical attention.
John Hopkins Medicine.Drug rashes.
MedlinePlus.Rashes.
DermNet.Intertrigo.
American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives (urticaria).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pityriasis rosea.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.
Seattle Children’s.Rash or redness - widespread.
New York State Department of Health.Bacterial skin infections: Impetigo and MRSA.
DermNet.Syphilis.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical attention.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?