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While nobody likes to deal with bumpy, red, or itchy skin—rashes happen. And when you find spots or redness in your complexion, it may be difficult to determine what caused the flare-up and how to treat it. Fortunately, pictures of skin rashes can help you to identify exactly what you’re dealing with and determine the best way to find relief fast.“
A rash is essentially inflammation in the skin that can be caused by either an external exposure or an internal factor,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. In other words, a rash is your skin’s way of telling you that something is awry, whether you’ve been exposed to an external irritant or you have an underlying medical condition below the surface.
Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
The unifying feature of all rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains. That inflammation could be minor or could greatly impact the color, texture, or feeling of your skin—it all depends on the type and severity of your rash. (Note: Some of the chronic skin conditions listed below, like acne and rosacea, might not be considered rashes by all dermatologists.)
What causes skin rashes?
When it comes to the root causes of rashes, they tend to fall into two main categories: outside-in and inside-out, explains Dr. Zeichner.
Outside-in rashes, like contact dermatitis and ringworm, are due to direct exposure to an outside irritant, allergen, or organism. Irritants (substances like household cleaners and chemicals that can affect anyone) and allergens (substances like latex and poison ivy that only affect those with specific allergies) can both trigger rashes such as contact dermatitis. Meanwhile, organisms living on the skin can cause conditions like ringworm and scabies.
Inside-out rashes stem from genetics, allergies, or infections. Genetic rashes, like eczema or psoriasis, appear because your skin or immune system is triggered to produce them. Allergic rashes, like a drug rash, occur when you ingest an allergen, including certain foods, such as peanut allergies, or medications. And viral infections, like coronavirus, can also result in rashes.
Many of these rashes can be resolved with proper treatment, except in the case of inside-out rashes caused by genetics. Ahead, you’ll find pictures of common skin rashes, plus symptoms to look out for. It’s important to note that rashes can look different depending on your skin tone. Some conditions might not cause discoloration on darker skin so if you’re unsure, see a dermatologist who can make the proper diagnosis.
Eczema
What it looks like: Medically known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is an umbrella term for a range of skin conditions characterized by red, splotchy, dry, cracked, crusty, or flaky skin, that can emit clear fluid when scratched. It’s usually clustered around the insides of elbows and knees, but can appear anywhere on the skin.
Other symptoms to note: Eczema is usually itchy and most common in young people, although many adults also have eczema-prone skin. An estimated 30% of Americans, mostly children and adolescents, suffer from eczema, per the National Institutes of Health. Cold, dry weather and overexposure to water can exacerbate the condition, according to Dr. Zeichner.
Treatment: There is a range of potential treatment options for eczema, and the right one for you ultimately depends on how severe your eczema is. Moisturizer is recommended for everyone with eczema, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). (Here are some of the best eczema lotions.) However, more severe eczema may require creams and ointments like corticosteroids to get the rash under control.
Contact dermatitis
What it looks like: Contact dermatitis has the same symptoms mentioned above, and can be a red rash that appears scaly or blistered, depending on its cause and severity. This rash often has a distinct border.
Other symptoms to note: Contact dermatitis appears following exposure to an irritant or allergen, and it’s the most common rash caused by external factors, Dr. Zeichner says. (This can include certain chemicals, acids, botanicals, metals, and more.) Allergens usually cause a shiny, blistered, itchy rash, while irritants tend to cause a dry, scaly, less itchy rash. It can appear hours to days after exposure.
Treatment: Treating contact dermatitis usually involves applying steroid creams or ointments to your skin, Dr. Zeichner says. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe you pills to help reduce swelling, relieve itching, or fight a bacteria infection.
Poison ivy
What it looks like: Poison ivy is a type of allergic contact dermatitis that is caused by the oil (urushiol oil) in the poison ivy plant, explains Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. This rash presents with red, hive-looking plaques that are very itchy. You may also see black dots on your skin from the oil that has oxidized on the skin.
Other symptoms to note: A poison ivy rash is extremely itchy and is often accompanied by swelling and blisters, Dr. Lal says. Sometimes these blisters are linear in appearance. If exposed to poison ivy, be sure to rinse the area in water only as soap can further spread the oil from the plant. Treating a poison ivy rash usually involves prescription-strength topical or even oral steroids that will usually clear the rash in about seven to 10 days, explains Dr. Lal.
Treatment: You can relieve the itch by applying cool, wet compresses to the rash and layering on an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OTC skin protectants like zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine can also help dry the oozing and weeping, while baking soda or colloidal oatmeal may help with the itch, the FDA says.
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Ringworm
What it looks like: Ringworm is a common skin infection caused by a fungus. It gets its name from its circular rash, which is often red, swollen, and cracked.
Other symptoms to note: This rash is itchy and can cause hair loss when it occurs on the scalp. The same fungus can also cause athlete’s foot and jock itch. Ringworm is contagious, so avoid touching people and pets or sharing objects like towels with others during flareups.
Treatment: Ringworm can usually be treated with antifungal creams, lotions, or powders applied to the skin for two to four weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If that doesn’t help, you may need prescription medication.
Rosacea
What it looks like: Rosacea causes redness and thick skin on the face, usually clustered in the center. Easy flushing, a stinging sensation, and small, pus-filled pimples are other common signs of the condition, which is often confused with acne breakouts.
Other symptoms to note: With rosacea, skin might feel rough, bumpy, or warm to the touch. Redness usually appears on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. Red, itchy, sensitive eyes are also associated with the condition. Triggers include “spicy food, hot beverages, alcohol, extremes in temperature, and physical and emotional stress,” Dr. Zeichner explains.
Treatment: Rosacea is usually treated with gentler skincare products, as well as a treatment called intense pulsed light therapy to tamp down on redness, according to the AAD. Brimonidine gel or oxymetazoline cream, and laser therapy may also help with persistent redness. Here are some more treatments for rosacea flare-ups.
Psoriasis
What it looks like: Psoriasis causes patches of thickened skin, most often with silver, scaly flakes. It’s usually found around the elbows, feet, knees, palms, and you can even have scalp psoriasis.
Other symptoms to note: Telltale scales set psoriasis apart from other rashes. Per the CDC, up to 20% of people with psoriasis also experience psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is not contagious; it’s due to “overactivity of the immune system resulting in skin inflammation,” Dr. Zeichner explains.
Treatment: Treatments can include corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, retinoids, and coal tar, Dr. Zeichner says. Ultimately, it’s best to consult a dermatologist to find the best treatment plan for you.
Right image credit: Tim Kubacki
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Hives
What it looks like: Also called urticaria, hives are raised welts in the skin that appear red or discolored. They range in size from small bumps to larger patches.
Other symptoms to note: Hives are most of often the result of exposure to allergens, and they could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Hives might not cause any discoloration on darker skin, so be alert for raised patches or welts—those could be a sign of urticaria. If you have shortness of breath, throat tightening, or tongue swelling , you should seek medical help right away.
Treatment: The standard treatment for hives is antihistamines, which are available in OTC and prescription forms, per Mayo Clinic.
Acne
What it looks like: Acne causes red, discolored bumps on the skin, along with whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.
Other symptoms to note: Acne is the most common skin condition affecting Americans, Dr. Zeichner says, so you likely have experience with pimples already. The causes vary, but are often rooted in excess oil and bacteria on the face, chest, or back, which can be triggered by hormonal issues, stress, certain foods, and irritating products.
Treatment: The right treatment for acne usually depends on the type of acne you’re facing. However, the AAD says that cleaning your skin properly and keeping your hands off your face can help. If you have acne, it’s best to visit a dermatologist for personalized tips, Dr. Zeichner says. Here are some adult acne treatment options.
Chicken pox
What it looks like: “Chicken pox is rare [outside of childhood], but we still see it,” Dr. Lal explains. It appears as marks that resemble “dew drops on a rose petal” or like blisters on a red bump, according to Dr. Lal. Sometimes you will see red bumps at first that then progress into blisters, but overall when you see chickenpox, you’ll see various stages of healing where some older areas are crusty and dry while newer areas will be more red, bumpy, and itchy.
Other symptoms to note: Chicken pox rashes typically start toward the middle of the body and work outward toward the extremities. It can often cause pockmarked scars after the blisters heal. Additionally, if an individual is unvaccinated when they contract chicken pox it can be very dangerous and cause pneumonia or other severe illness, according to Dr. Lal.
Treatment: There are a few things you can do at home to help relieve the itch, per the CDC. That includes using calamine lotion and a cool bath with added baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal. Also, try to keep your fingernails trimmed short and minimize scratching to prevent the virus from spreading and to prevent skin infections.
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Shingles
What it looks like: Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is a blistering rash. It often appears in a stripe or in the top quadrant of the head, but only on one side of the body.
Other symptoms to note: Blisters are painful and are sometimes accompanied by fever, headache, and chills. Local tingling or pain is common before the blisters appear. Shingles can affect the eye and even cause vision loss. The condition is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Also, if you’ve been infected with COVID-19, you may be at a higher risk for shingles.
Treatment: There are several antiviral medications to treat shingles, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, per the CDC. Cool compresses, oatmeal baths, and calamine lotion may also help.
Bottom image credit: Preston Hunt
Seborrheic dermatitis
What it looks like: Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of eczema that is characterized by scaly, oily or greasy patches of skin, usually on the scalp.
Other symptoms to note: This condition is itchy and can cause dandruff and buildup on the scalp. It’s also common on other oily areas, like the face and chest, and can be difficult to treat. Dr. Zeichner explains that although the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, the body overreacts to yeast on oily parts of the skin, causing the thick, flaky buildup.
Treatment: To treat seborrheic dermatitis, use one of these best of the best dandruff shampoos.
Top image credit: Amras666
Perioral dermatitis
What it looks like: Like seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis causes red, inflamed skin and small pustules around the nose and mouth.
Other symptoms to note: Flare-ups can be itchy and uncomfortable, and are often confused with acne. There is no known cause of perioral dermatitis, but overuse of topical corticosteroids is associated with the condition.
Treatment: If you develop this condition, it’s best to stop using all face creams, cosmetics, and sunscreen, and to wash your face with warm water only, according to Mount Sinai. Your doctor may recommend a range of medications, including metronidazole, erythromycin, and benzoyl peroxide.
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Scabies
What it looks like: Scabies is a discolored, splotchy rash that can appear pimple-like on any affected parts of the skin. Patients might also notice tiny lines on the skin where the mites have burrowed.
Other symptoms to note: Scabies is very itchy, and usually more intense at night. Unlike the other rashes on this list, this one is caused by an infestation of mites. It’s very contagious and spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact in crowded spaces.
Treatment: Permethrin is the drug of choice for the treatment of scabies, per the CDC. Topical permethrin should be applied every two to three days for up to two weeks.
Top image credit: Cixia
Bottom image credit: Tim Kubacki
Drug rash
What it looks like: Drug rashes are usually speckled, itchy, and red, and can cover large areas of skin. They can appear days to weeks after taking medication.
Other symptoms to note: Drug rashes can be a side effect of or a reaction to a new medication; almost any medication can cause a drug rash, but antibiotics and NSAIDs are the most common culprits. The rash might not be anything to worry about, but it could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction, especially if combined with difficulty breathing.
Treatment: Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms. Typically, they will recommend that you stop taking the medication immediately, and they may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to help with the rash, Dr. Zeichner says.
Candida
What it looks like: Candida, a type of yeast infection, can occur in lots of places—including the skin. It often occurs when the skin microbiome is dysregulated, causing an overgrowth of the yeast that normally lives on our skin, Dr. Lal explains. These rashes are often very red, macerated, and erosive-looking and are accompanied by red bumps or papules.
Other symptoms to note: Candida rashes often have a “sour, yeasty odor,” Dr. Lal explains. Additionally, these rashes are accompanied by a burning sensation rather than a typical itching sensation.
Treatment: If your doctor diagnoses your rash as a candida infection, treatment will likely involve a prescription antifungal medication. These medications are often topical, but oral treatment is available for more serious cases.
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Lichen planus
What it looks like: Purplish lesions on the inner arms, legs, wrists, or ankles can signify lichen planus, a skin rash triggered by an overreaction of the immune system.
Other symptoms to note: The legions are usually itchy and may cause skin discoloration as they heal. Lichen planus does not have one single cause—illnesses, allergies, and stress can all trigger breakouts. It is not contagious.
Treatment: Lichen planus doesn’t have a cure, but some treatments can make you feel more comfortable and speed up the healing process. Those include antihistamines and topical or oral steroids, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Right image credit: James Heilman, M.D.
Measles
What it looks like: Measles causes flat, red spots that cover huge swaths of skin. The rash often appears on the face near the hairline, then spreads down to the feet.
Other symptoms to note: The rash is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including high fever, cough, and runny nose. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is also common. Young people could face severe complications from measles, so contact your healthcare provider if you suspect exposure to the illness. Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it’s one of the most contagious diseases, per the CDC.
Treatment: There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. but it’s usually recommended that people with measles drink plenty of water and get lots of rest, Nemours says.
Top image credit: Mike Blyth
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
What it looks like: Hand, foot, and mouth disease is named for its characteristic flat, red spots that appear on the palms, soles of the feet, and around the mouth.
Other symptoms to note: Spots may blister over time. Cold-like symptoms, including fever and loss of appetite, might also appear. It’s usually not serious, but it’s very contagious and can spread quickly through skin contact or respiratory transmission among people of any age, especially in schools.
Treatment: There is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease but the CDC says that taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help to relieve fever and pain.
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Tick bite
What it looks like: The most recognizable reaction on this list is the bullseye rash—a large, red, target-like rash that signals the early stages of Lyme disease from the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. However, many tick bites do not cause a bullseye rash; it appears in about 70 to 80% of Lyme patients.
Other symptoms to note: You might actually find a tick attached to you before a tick bite rash appears, which is usually itchy. If the tick is still attached, you have to be very careful when you remove the tick head. Once the rash appears, the bullseye rash in particular is a telltale sign of Lyme disease, even though some patients never get one.
Treatment: Once the tick is removed, you’ll want to monitor your symptoms and let your doctor know as soon as you notice one. If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, your doctor may recommend a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline, per the CDC.
Lupus
What it looks like: Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, often presents with a red, butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose. It is usually worsened by exposure to the sun.
Other lupus symptoms to note: Although the rash does not leave scarring, it could cause discoloration after it disappears. The butterfly rash is distinct from the sores and scaly lesions also caused by lupus.
Treatment: Each case varies, but topical treatments and lifestyle changes can help the rash fade.
Jake Smith
Jake Smith, an editorial fellow at Prevention, recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in magazine journalism and just started going to the gym. Let's be honest—he's probably scrolling through Twitter right now.
Madeleine Haase
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.
Shannen Zitz
Assistant Editor
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
Medically reviewed byMona A. Gohara, M.D.
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, fashion fanatic, mom, wife, and virgo. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society For Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group. She is also a member of Prevention’s Medical Review Board.