Overview

Skin redness can have many different causes including burns, allergic reactions, infections and health problems. Certain causes are more severe than others and may require medical treatment.

Other symptoms of the red skin syndrome, also known as topical steroid addiction or topical steroid withdrawal, include itching, burning and stinging, which may extend to areas of the skin where steroids have been administered. This group of skin diseases can cause redness and itching. This is a group of inflammatory skin diseases that cause red, itchy patches on the skin during inflammation.

What can cause red skin?

Many things can cause your skin to become red and irritated, from sunburns to allergic reactions. It is not always a cause for concern, but redness can be irritating and unpleasant. Redness can be associated with other symptoms, so be aware of what's going on with your skin.

1- Sunburn

Sunburn is the most common cause of red skin because people spend too much time in the sun without adequate protection. The sun's ultraviolet rays damage the skin that turns red when the body leads more blood into the affected area to repair the damage. 

What are the symptoms of sunburn ?

• Tenderness
• Sensitive to the touch
• Painful 
• Skin peeling
• Irritated
• Hot

How to treat sunburn ?

Use sunscreen every day, every 2 hours or every 60 to 80 minutes if you get wet to avoid this pain in the future. 

Cool the affected skin with aloe Vera gel or Calamine lotion by applying cool compresses or taking a cool bath to relieve itching.

Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your skin and do not think about going out in the sun until you are healed.

For severe pain or swelling, take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen or sodium. 

2- Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition which causes redness of the skin around the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. It is often confused with acne or other skin problems, rather than natural rudeness. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes a redness on the face that manifests itself in the blood vessels.

What are the causes & symptoms of rosacea ?

Rosacea usually causes a red rash around the nose, cheeks, or chin. The affected skin might be thickened or swollen, have lots of visible blood vessels, and be prone to acne-like breakouts. The face often looks flushed or like you’re blushing. 

Other potential signs and symptoms of rosacea:

• Eye irritation
• Burning or stinging 
• Dry appearance
• Plaques
• Skin thickening
• Swelling 
• Signs beyond the face

How to treat rosacea ?

All symptoms are different, so it is important to treat rosacea based on your individual symptoms. A dermatologist can usually determine if you have rosacea and develop a treatment plan that works for your skin. There is no cure for rosacea and its origin is unknown. Relief of symptoms can, however, be achieved through certain creams and treatments.

3- Burns

Burns are damage to skin and tissues caused by heat, radiation, electrical contact or chemicals.

Superficial and sometimes thick burns are relatively easy to treat and usually heal within a few weeks, but full-strength burns are more serious because they can affect nerves and other underlying tissues.

What are the common types of burns ?

Sunburn: This type of burn results from improper and prolonged exposure to the sun without protection. 

Chemical burns: Redness of the skin can occur here as a result of exposure of the skin to burning chemicals such as acids.

Electrical burns: This type of burn occurs as a result of exposure to a strong electrical current. 

Thermal and Friction Burns: This type of burn results from direct contact of the skin with a heat source or from rubbing the skin with a rough, intense surface.

What are the symptoms of burn ?

Superficial burns are red and might be swollen or painful. As they heal, they might get dry or peel.

Partial-thickness burns are more painful and tend to blister. When the blisters pop open, the burns typically look wet or weepy. 

Full-thickness burns are different: These severe burns cause skin to turn waxy, charred, white or dark brown, and leathery. If a burn has caused nerve damage, it may not be painful.

How to treat your skin from burns ?

Minor burns will heal in a week or two and can be managed by cooling the area, applying calming topical treatments, keeping blisters intact, and bandaging the burn when necessary. 

Serious burns, including severe sunburn, require medical treatment. Medical treatment can range from topical treatments and dressings to surgery and skin grafts.

4- The heat rash 

Red rash is a blister on the skin that occurs on the trunk and affects all parts of the body, including the face and eyes. Shingles is caused by painful blisters or rashes that appear on the skin, including the face. 

A red, itchy rash that occurs when your skin comes into direct contact with an irritating substance or allergies caused by an irritating substance (e.g. Nickel jewelry, ivy), known as allergic contact dermatitis. It can also cause irritating substances such as hard soaps or bleach, but is also known as irritant contact dermatitis. 

The cause of a rash is determined by its appearance and symptoms. Location, appearance and skin color around the rash are factors that determine the correct diagnosis and treatment. These and other questions can help your doctor figure out what causes your redness. 

What are the symptoms of heat rash ?

Heat rash is marked by lots of red, pimple-like bumps-especially on your neck, shoulders, chest, and back. They might feel itchy or prickly.

How to treat your skin from heat rash ?

Depending on the cause of your rash, treatment may include medical creams, lotions, oral medications or skin surgery. Most simple rashes can be alleviated with gentle skin care and avoiding irritating substances.

5- Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease that causes a red rash on the face. It is caused by the overgrowth of yeast on the skin which leads to redness, inflammation and dandruff in some people, said Sobel. It can be a rash that looks reddish or scaled around the eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, nose, torso and ears.

What are the symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis ?

Redness and itching, which may be accompanied by swelling, dryness, burning, sensitivity, or blistering, are common signs of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.

The symptoms might appear as soon as your skin comes into contact with the chemical, although allergic contact dermatitis can take several days to manifest.

Redness can be associated with other symptoms, so be aware of what's going on with your skin.

How to treat your skin from Seborrheic dermatitis ?

The majority of dermatitis treatment focuses on symptom relief. Dry skin and itching may often be easily treated with an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. A prescription topical steroid may be required for severe dermatitis. Antihistamine can help with severe itching.

It's also important to avoid allergens or contact with known irritants to prevent recurrences of dermatitis.

6- Infections

Skin infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and, in rare cases, parasites. The most common infections in children are bacteria that live on the top layer of skin. Cellulitis occurs when bacteria infect the deepest layer of the skin, making it red, swollen, tender and warm.

What are the symptoms of Infections ?

Mild skin infections are characterized by redness, swelling, soreness, and discomfort. Blisters or pus may form in more acute cases.

How to treat your skin from infections ?

It depends on the type of infection you have, but you’ll generally need to see a doctor to make sure oral antibiotics aren’t necessary.

Have your doctor look at the infection to determine the best treatment. It’s best not to try to treat this on your own. over-the-counter topical antibiotics can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

When to seek medical attention?

Redness of the skin can be a sign of a transient or non-serious condition, but it can sometimes be a side effect of a serious disease or condition that needs to be treated immediately and without delay. 

Therefore, you should seek medical attention immediately if any of the following conditions apply to the patient:

• The redness of the skin persists in the patient for more than 1 to 2 weeks without improvement despite attempts to treat it at home in various ways.
•  Not knowing the cause of the redness of the skin.
•  severe pain.
•  vision problems.

Takeaway 

People should consult a doctor if the red skin persists for more than a few days or recurs. There are many possible causes of redness, ranging from burns to allergic reactions to infections. However, if a rash is painful, frequent or has severe symptoms, sufferers should seek medical advice.

Treatment of skin diseases can last for life and may be accompanied by medication or lifestyle changes. Some skin diseases have long-term symptoms that can return in cycles.