Rash all over the body in adults: 5 main causes and treatment

What is behind the rash all over the body in adults
A rash all over the body can have many causes - from harmless irritation to more serious health problems. The most common causes include:

1. Allergies
An allergic rash usually manifests as redness, itching or swelling and can be triggered by a variety of factors.
The most common triggers of allergic rash are:
- Foods - milk, nuts, seafood, gluten.
- Cosmetics and cleaning products - perfumed products, sulfates, parabens.
- Medications - antibiotics, analgesics, hormone therapy.
- Pollen, dust, dust mites and animal hair.

In more severe cases, a widespread allergic rash can occur over the entire body. If breathing difficulties are added, it may be anaphylactic shock and a doctor should be sought.

2. Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is manifested by a sudden rash at the site of contact with the trigger (allergen). Typical triggers are:
- chemicals in cleaning products,
- certain metals (e.g. nickel in jewellery),
- clothing made of irritating synthetic materials.

3. Viral, bacterial and other infections
Some rashes are caused by viral, bacterial or other infections and tend to be accompanied by other symptoms:
- Measles - starts with a rash on the face that gradually spreads downwards. In addition to the rash, there is also fever, cough and conjunctivitis.
- Rubella - the rash starts on the face and spreads over the body, tends to be pale pink, less pronounced than measles. It is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, mainly on the back of the head, neck and behind the ears.
- Scabies - is caused by the scabies mite, which burrows into the skin and manifests itself as a strongly itchy rash in the form of small pimples and corridors between the fingers, on the wrists, in the armpits, in the groin or on larger parts of the body.

4. Autoimmune diseases
In some cases, the rash is a sign of a systemic disease:
- Psoriasis (psoriasis) - scaly deposits on elbows, knees, hair, but can appear anywhere on the body.
- Atopic eczema - dry, itchy skin, often in the bends of the limbs, on the neck and face, can affect larger areas of skin on different parts of the body.

5. Stress
Psyche plays a big role in overall skin health. Stress rash most commonly manifests itself in two ways:
- Hives - an itchy rash in the form of reddened pimples or spots that may appear and disappear, often changing location on the body.
- Aggravation of eczema or psoriasis - stress can worsen the manifestations of these conditions, leading to more intense itching, redness or enlargement of the lesions.

Where the rash on the body most often appears
The place where a rash appears on the body can give a clue as to what is causing it.
- A rash on the back often occurs in atopic eczema or in severe allergic reactions. Increased sweating in this area contributes to a higher incidence of fungal infections.
- A rash on the chest is common in viral infections such as measles or rubella, which spread from top to bottom. Stress urticaria or contact allergy to textiles is also sometimes seen in the chest area.
- A rash on the abdomen is typical of scabies, but it can also be a reaction to food allergens or cosmetics.
- A rash around the eyes is usually associated with contact allergy, most often to pollen or cosmetic products. Sensitive skin in this area may react with irritation, which manifests itself as redness, swelling or scaling.

How to recognise the different types of rash?
When a rash appears on your body, its appearance will tell you what is causing it.

Small rashes all over the body
If a crusted rash appears on your body and it itches intensely, it may be an allergic reaction or hives. Small itchy pimples can also be a sign of scabies, especially if they occur in the folds of the skin, between the toes or on the abdomen.

Scaly red rash
This type of itchy rash often indicates psoriasis or atopic eczema.

Large red patches that gradually expand
A red rash in the form of spots is typical of a viral infection, such as measles or rubella. Although measles and rubella are more common in children, they sometimes affect adults, especially unvaccinated people. They can cause serious complications in pregnant women - measles increases the risk of premature birth and rubella can lead to birth defects in the foetus.

Swollen or inflamed blisters
In some cases, blisters appear when there is a strong allergic reaction or when there is contact with a toxic substance.

How to treat a rash on the body?
What helps when your whole body itches? The treatment of a rash depends on its cause. Some rashes disappear on their own within a few days, others require medication or special care.

Treatment of rashes by cause
Allergic rash: If it is a mild reaction, antihistamines and cooling gels containing aloe vera or panthenol will help. For more severe allergic reactions, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids.
Infectious rash: For viral rashes (e.g. measles and rubella), the main treatment is rest, hydration and symptomatic treatment for fever or pain.
Scabies is treated with special ointments that destroy the scabies mite. It is necessary to disinfect bedding and clothing at the same time to prevent the infection from returning.
Psoriasis and atopic eczema: These chronic rashes require long-term care. Regular moisturizing of the skin with oily creams is essential; in more severe cases, corticosteroids or immunomodulators are needed. The doctor may also prescribe light therapy (phototherapy) or systemic treatment.
Urticaria: Mild cases can be managed with antihistamines, which reduce itching and redness; for more severe cases, corticosteroids are applied. Cool compresses or gels with aloe vera and panthenol can also help. It is important to avoid triggers and to make sure the skin is sufficiently moisturised.
Contact dermatitis: The basis of treatment is to remove the irritant and soothe the skin with moisturizers and barrier creams such as Dermaguard. These create an invisible barrier on the skin to protect it from external influences. Dermaguard is available for purchase in our e-shop.
For more severe irritation, corticosteroid ointments or products containing zinc can help. In case of itching you can use antihistamines.

Grandma's advice for rashes all over the body
For red itchy pimples, but also other types of rashes all over the body, you can try oatmeal baths, which have a soothing effect. Aloe vera, coconut oil or calendula ointment will in turn help with moisturising and regenerating the skin. Cold compresses or black tea compresses also work on itchy rashes.

When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the rash persists for more than a few days without improvement, gets worse, gets wet, blisters form or other symptoms (fever, swelling, breathing difficulties) are added.

How to prevent a rash
The key is proper skin care, avoiding irritants and a healthy lifestyle that helps keep the skin in good condition.

Proper skin care
Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers, avoid harsh soaps and hot water, which can dry out the skin and disrupt its protective barrier. Always apply moisturiser after showering - ideally with panthenol, ceramides or natural oils to help keep skin hydrated and resistant to the elements.
If you frequently encounter irritants such as cleaning products, disinfectants or chemicals, protect your skin with barrier creams.

Avoiding allergens and irritants
In case you are prone to allergic reactions, try to avoid triggers. When choosing cosmetics, choose products with hypoallergenic ingredients and without alcohol or fragrance. When washing, use gentle detergents without harsh chemicals and rinse clothes thoroughly to avoid detergent residues that can irritate the skin.

Healthy lifestyle
Skin reflects the condition of the whole body, so it is important to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of exercise and minimise stress. Sufficient vitamins A, C, E and zinc, which promote skin regeneration, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts) are key to healthy skin. Moisturisation is also important to prevent dry skin.
Regular exercise and good quality sleep are also excellent prevention against rashes.

Protection against infections
Some rashes are of infectious origin, so it is important to follow basic hygiene rules such as regular hand washing, avoiding contact with the sick and taking good care of wounds or abrasions.
If you spend a lot of time in gyms, swimming pools or saunas, wear appropriate footwear, wash sports clothes regularly and don't share towels or toiletries.

The right choice of clothing and materials
Sensitive skin can react negatively to synthetic materials, tight clothing or wool, which can cause irritation and itching. The best choice is loose, breathable clothing made of cotton or bamboo that allows the skin to breathe.

Summary
A rash all over your body is unpleasant, but if you know what causes it, you can address it effectively. In case the condition of your skin does not improve, avoid trial and error and consult a specialist.

Sources:
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/red-and-itchy-when-worry-about-rash-adults
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
https://www.healthline.com/health/rashes/when-to-worry-about-a-rash-in-adults