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News
: Rashes are common, but sometimes it’s hard to tell what caused them and how to treat them. Skin problems caused by poison ivy, hives, scabies and chicken pox are sometimes indistinguishable from dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Many skin problems can be treated with a shielding lotion – dry skin, eczema and psoriasis among them - but as other conditions may need additional treatment, it’s important to be able to recognize their signs and symptoms.
Poison ivy infections sometimes form red streaks or blisters, but are often just patches that look like eczema or extremely dry skin. If red, dry patches are the only visible symptom, you can distinguish poison ivy infection from other skin conditions by how bad it is itching. Of course, you also have to examine your recent environment for the presence of poison ivy. Infection occurs within a day or two of exposure. Calamine lotion is a safe alternative to relieve the itching, and the infection will usually heal without further treatment.
Hives are also itchy, but the itch is generally accompanied by raised pink spots. Hives are caused by a number of things – allergies to medicine and food, insect bites, viruses, and sometimes just stress. A shielding lotion will give some relief, but you should definitely determine what caused them so the situation doesn’t recur.
Scabies infestation is another skin condition that can be hard to recognize. Tiny invisible mites burrow into the skin causing extreme itching and little bumps resembling pimples. Once again, the intensity of the itch is the give-away that you’re not just dealing with dry skin or eczema. Scabies are extremely contagious and are contracted by close contact with an infected person. Both over-the-counter and prescribed remedies are available, and all clothing, bedding and other things the infected person has touched have to be washed in very hot water to kill the scabies and prevent further infection.
Ringworm can also look and feel similar to more benign conditions. The distinguishing factor is its shape – a round dry, scaly patch that is white in the middle – which is where ringworm gets its name. It is a fungal infection, and can usually be treated successfully within a week or two with over-the-counter medications.
Rashes that are caused by allergies, bites and infections are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing. If any of these occur, or if the rash is persistent, you should see a doctor immediately. If your rash does not have any of the above accompanying symptoms chances are you have dry skin or eczema, for which hundreds of dermatologists now recommend shielding lotion as the best treatment available. If in doubt, try the shielding lotion first. It may be all you need.
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