• Rash or redness on one part of the body (localized or clustered)
• Cause of rash is unknown

Includes:

• Localized areas of redness or skin irritation
• Rash may be smooth (macular) or slightly bumpy (papular)
• Rash may look like small spots, large spots or solid red

General Information

• Three localized rashes that individuals may be able to recognize are: Athlete's Foot, insect bites, and poison ivy. If present, use that topic. If not, use this topic.
• The main cause of a new localized rash is often skin contact with some irritant.
• The main cause of a persistent localized rash is often contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to skin contact with some substance.
• Cellulitis is the medical term for an infection of the skin. There is spreading redness. The skin is also painful, tender to touch, and warm. There may or may not be any drainage or discharge. Antibiotic treatment is required.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a common cause of persistent localized rashes. Contact dermatitis usually presents as localized raised red spots. Occasionally it progresses to localized blisters (e.g., poison ivy. Contact dermatitis only occurs after repeated contacts with the allergic substance. Once sensitized to a substance, however, reactions occur 12 to 24 hours after exposure. The location of the rash may suggest the cause.

• Poison ivy or oak: exposed areas (e.g., hands, forearms)
• Nickel (metal): neck from necklaces, earlobe from earrings, belly button from metal snaps inside pants, wrist from wrist watch.
• Tanning agents in leather: tops of the feet from shoes or hands after wearing leather gloves
• Preservatives in creams, lotions, sunscreens, shampoos: site of application
• Neomycin in antibiotic ointment: site of application

Intertrigo

• Symptoms: Erythematous and macerated (moist) areas between skin folds. Sometimes the patient may experience mild burning discomfort or itching.
• Location: The most common area is under the breasts. However, in obese individuals it can happen in multiple other areas of the body wherever skin folds over and creates a moist pocket. In obese individuals another common area is where the abdomen overlaps onto the upper thigh.
• Risk factors: Obesity, heat, humidity, sweating, occlusive clothing, and diabetes.
• Complications: May become infected with yeast; a secondary bacterial infection of the skin can sometimes occur.
• Treatment: Reducing the moisture in the area is the most important thing to do. Strategies for accomplishing this include wearing loose clothing, drying area with warm hair dryer or fan, keeping skin folds open to the air with a towel, and losing weight. Sometimes anti-fungal cream is helpful.