skin rash

A skin rash is an area of skin that has become swollen or irritated. Skin rashes can include skin bumps or sores, scaly or red skin, and itchy or burning skin. Skin rashes can be caused by many medical conditions. Some skin rashes occur right away, while others take some time to develop. The location, appearance, and color of a skin rash are all important to help your doctor make the right diagnosis and start the right treatment.

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  Chickenpox: A Skin Rash Made Up of Blisters

  The virus known as varicella zoster, more commonly called chickenpox, creates a skin rash of itchy blisters on the face that spreads down to cover the chest and back. It’s typically accompanied by fever and sore throat. Even though a vaccine is available, chickenpox is still common in children under age 12. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms, including fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and the itch with creams and cold compresses. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
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    Rubella: Red Spots All Over the Skin

    Another viral skin rash that affects children and young adults is rubella, or German measles. Rubella causes a rash of red skin spots that spreads like chickenpox from the face down. The skin rash can be itchy. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands, headache, and runny nose. There is a vaccine for rubella, but about 10 percent of young adults are still susceptible. Rubella can be very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause birth defects. Treatment is similar to that for chickenpox.
    
    
    
    
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      Hives: Sudden, Itchy Skin Bumps

      Urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin rash that comes on suddenly and causes pale, itchy, or pink swellings on your skin, and burns or stings. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin. Up to 20 percent of people may experience hives at least once in their lifetime. Hives may last for a few days or a few weeks and may be caused by an allergic reaction to a food or medication. The most common treatment is to avoid the cause and treat the symptoms with an antihistamine medication.
      
      
      
      
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        Skin Rashes Caused by Medication

        A drug-induced skin rash can be from an allergic reaction to a drug, a side effect of a drug, or from sensitivity to sunlight caused by a drug. A drug rash can occur right away after taking the drug, or up to several hours later. Types of drug rashes include hive or skin bump eruptions, purple or red skin discoloration, or scaly and thickened areas of skin. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin or even inside the mouth. Treatment is to stop taking the drug and manage the symptoms with antihistamines or steroids. In rare cases, drug-induced rashes can be serious or even fatal, so check with your doctor.
        
        
        
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          Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

          Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
          
          
          
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            Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

            Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
            
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            Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

            Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
            
            
            
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              Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

              Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
              
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              Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

              Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
              
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              Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

              Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
              
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              Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

              Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
              
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              Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

              Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
              
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              Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

              Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
              
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            Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

            Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
            
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            Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

            Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
            
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            Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

            Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
            
          • 

            Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

            Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
            
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          Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

          Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
          
        • 

          Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

          Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
          
        • 

          Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

          Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
          
        • 

          Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

          Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
          
        • 

          Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

          Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
          
        
         
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rheumatic

The term rheumatic comes from the Greek root “rheuma,” explains Dr. Deane, “which means flux, but it’s come to mean ‘related to the joint.’”
Here are some of the more common rheumatic diseases:

• Ankylosing spondylitis. This is the most common of the spondyloarthropies, rheumatic diseases that specifically affect the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis, most common in young adults, also inflames tendons in the hips, knees, and shoulders, causing pain and stiffness.
• Fibromyalgia. Millions of adults struggle with the chronic fatigue and pain of this rheumatic disease, which attacks the muscles and tendons that support your joints, causing stiffness and pain as well as sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is nine times more likely to occur in a woman than a man.
• Gout. About 2.1 million adults have this rheumatic disease, which is characterized by uric acid crystals in the joints — most often the big toe — that cause episodes of pain and swelling. Gout is more often a problem for men than women.
• Infectious arthritis. Some forms of arthritis are caused by viral or bacterial infections. For example, Lyme disease, which results from the bite of a tick carrying specific bacteria, may cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness of joints. Other types include parvovirus arthritis and gonococcal arthritis. Identifying these infections early means antibiotics can be used to prevent joint damage.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The most common arthritis in childhood, this rheumatic disease causes pain, swelling, and loss of joint function and may be accompanied by fevers and rashes.
• Lupus. Technically called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this rheumatic disease is an autoimmune disease. About 150,000 people are living with lupus, which attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues, causing damage to joints and organs throughout the body. Ninety percent of people with lupus are female.
• Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It affects 27 million adults in the United States. This rheumatic disease destroys cartilage and bone, causing disability and pain.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica. This rheumatic disease is often a red flag of diseased arteries (giant cell arteritis) and can lead to headaches, inflammation, unintended weight loss, and fever. People with this disease have morning stiffness, aches, and pains in the lower back, neck, hips, and shoulders. These symptoms are due to damage to tendons, muscles, ligaments, and joint tissues.
• Psoriatic arthritis. This is a form of arthritis that occurs in people with the skin disorder psoriasis. This painful disease affects joints of fingers and toes and creates visible changes in finger- and toenails.
• Reactive arthritis. Also known as Reiter’s syndrome, this is another spondyloarthropy. This rheumatic disease is often triggered by an infection in the bowels, urinary tract, or other organs. People with reactive arthritis develop skin rashes, sores on the mouth, and eye troubles.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. Nearly 1.3 million people have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This rheumatic disease destroys the synovial tissue — the lining of joints — causing swelling, pain, and stiffness throughout the body. Unlike other rheumatic diseases, RA symptoms tend to occur symmetrically — meaning that if your right hand is affected, your left hand will be also. Women are two to three times more likely than men to have RA.
• Sclerodoma. With this rheumatic disease, the body produces too much collagen, the fibrous material that supports the structure of skin and other organs. Scleroderma literally means “hard skin” but also particularly affects blood vessels and joints.

uric acid, hyperuricemia

What is hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia is an excess of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid passes through the liver, and enters your bloodstream. Most of it is excreted (removed from your body) in your urine, or passes through your intestines to regulate "normal" levels.
Normal Uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL (female) and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL (male).  Normal values will vary from laboratory to laboratory.

Also important to blood uric acid levels are purines.  Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds, which are made inside the cells of your body (endogenous), or come from outside of your body, from foods containing purine (exogenous).  Purine breaks down into uric acid. Increased levels of uric acid from excess purines may accumulate in your tissues, and form crystals. This may cause high uric acid levels in the blood.

Uric acid formation may occur when the blood uric acid level rises above 7 mg/dL. Problems, such as kidney stones, and gout (collection of uric acid crystals in the joints, especially in your toes and fingers), may occur.