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Rashes are extremely common and there are countless reasons we get them. A couple of the most obvious reasons for a rash are allergic reactions to things or general skin irritation. If you have a dust allergy, you can get a rash if there’s a lot of dust around you. If you’re wearing a particular top that irritates your skin, you can develop a rash. 

In cases like these, rashes are easily treated with antihistamines, topical creams, or by removing the cause of the rash. Therefore, most rashes shouldn’t be a major cause for concern because they can be dealt with easily and don’t cause much irritation. Nevertheless, there are instances where a rash is serious, and you should be worried about it. 

How do you know when you should worry about a rash? 

It covers your whole body

A localized rash is normal, but one that covers your entire body is not. There could be a serious reason behind this, like a severe allergic reaction or an infection. If you experience this, you should book a dermatology consultation as soon as you can. In most cases, you can get seen pretty quickly because your rash is not normal and requires medical attention. 

It’s persistent and regular

We all get rashes from time to time, but when you get one that keeps returning every single day, then it’s a problem. If your rash is persistent and doesn’t seem to go away, you should see a dermatologist, to get it looked at. Even if it goes away but continues to come back, it’s worth seeking medical advice to learn why it keeps coming back.

It happens suddenly and spreads quickly

If your rash comes on suddenly and spreads over your body very quickly, that’s not a good sign. Again, it could be a severe allergic reaction, so consider what you did before the rash came along. Did you eat something, touch something, or take some medication? If so, the rash might be a reaction to any of these things and could be accompanied by serious symptoms – like shortness of breath – if not seen immediately. 

It’s painful and blistering

Normally, rashes should be irritating, not painful. They should also appear as a red rash on your skin without any blisters. If your rash starts hurting or you develop blisters on your skin, it’s something more serious than a common rash. Again, see a medical professional, to diagnose the rash and get the right treatment. 

It’s infected

Lastly, if your rash is infected, you need to worry about it. Infected rashes will swell, be crusted over, and can ooze pus. It’s very easy to tell if your rash is infected or not, so pick up the phone and call the emergency room if that’s the case. 

Remember, most rashes aren’t major concerns. Yes, they can be annoying, but they can also be treated at home with ease. In a lot of cases, taking an antihistamine will clear it up in no time. However, if your rash exhibits any of the issues shown above, you should be slightly worried and will need extra attention from a medical professional.