Symmetrical skin rashes - causes, what to do, how to treat

Recently we received a question from our reader, after the publication of the article “SPA without a budget! Or an evening of pleasure without leaving home.” In it we talked about how taking a relaxing bath can improve your well-being and relieve emotional stress.

The question was: “I have sensitive skin and after a bath my body becomes covered with red spots. What do you advise?

Yes, this is indeed a burning topic. Due to hard and chlorinated water, many women now experience discomfort after taking a bath and do not even wash their face with tap water. But it’s one thing to experience unpleasant sensations, and another when it’s already on the body - redness.

Let's look at the main reasons.

Allergy

If the body is prone to allergies, then our skin can react to any irritant.

Common allergens:

— Various additives in centralized hot water (Chlorine, Iron, Aluminum...); — Any component included in a cosmetic product (shower gel, soap, bath foam, shampoo, etc.); — Residues of detergent on the bathroom. All cleaning products are very caustic and aggressive, and our skin often suffers from contact with them.

If you suspect that you have an allergy, or are already 100% sure, then first of all you need to eliminate the source of irritation.
If you don’t fully understand what the reaction is, try taking a bath and changing cosmetics every time. When a malicious bubble is discovered, read the ingredients and try to avoid similar components in the future.
If you suspect chlorine, iron, aluminum..., conduct an experiment. Pre-boil the water and let it settle. Take a swim in this water. Then watch the reaction.
Avoid chemicals when cleaning your bathtub. Try using baking soda to clean surfaces.
If an allergen is identified, and for some reason you cannot eliminate it, or you have not found the source of irritation. Be sure to consult a doctor. An experienced specialist will help solve the problem.

Allergy to the elbow in a child: symptoms, photos, causes and treatment

In children and adults, the skin around the knees and elbows is thinner, more sensitive and dry than in other places. For this reason, it is more likely to cause irritation and allergic reactions. The appearance of itching, redness, and swelling may develop due to hypersensitization of the body. Therefore, allergies in the crook of the elbow in a child require a special approach to treatment.

Causes of pathology

The causes of rashes on elbows and knees vary, but most likely they are related to allergies.

It should not be overlooked that similar symptoms may indicate the presence of an infectious disease (rubella or chickenpox) . At the same time, the temperature rises, signs of intoxication appear, and rashes spread throughout the body.

An allergy-type rash on the crook of the arms sometimes indicates other diseases. Unilateral redness of the skin of this localization occurs after insect bites. But most often, deviation is observed (in both adults and children) as a result of contact of delicate and sensitive skin with various substances. The photo clearly demonstrates the manifestations of contact allergies in infants.

The reasons for such a reaction in a child:

contact with chemical detergent or washing powder,
synthetic or woolen clothing,
eating disorders, eating certain foods (citrus fruits, strawberries, chocolate),
introduction of new complementary foods,
poor nutrition of the mother during breastfeeding,
use of a number of medications.

In the youngest, the disease manifests itself in the absence of breastfeeding, when the child is forced to eat artificial formula from birth.

Symptoms

Atopic allergy: causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease

Allergy symptoms vary depending on what is causing them. Sometimes redness and rashes appear not only on the bend of the elbow or knee, but also on the face of a teenager or infant, as well as in the torso and other parts of the body.

On the inner surface of the elbow, the reaction most often occurs as a result of contact with a certain substance. And on the outside, the body’s response to food is usually observed.

The main common manifestations of allergic rashes:

intense itching, dry skin and flaking,
small cracks,
slight swelling,
papular and pustular rash that is very itchy.

If pustules appear in the area of damage, this indicates a secondary infection . This often happens in a premature baby or in a bottle-fed baby who does not receive immune bodies with mother’s milk. Sometimes a symptom indicates the non-allergic nature of the pathological process.

It should be remembered that dermatologists recommend testing cosmetic medications by applying them to the elbow.

This localization is chosen for a reason. Sensitive skin in this area will immediately indicate the presence of hypersensitization of the body to a certain substance.

How to distinguish allergies from dermatological diseases

Before starting treatment, you should make sure the diagnosis is accurate. Rashes, redness and spots in the elbow area can also appear in other pathological conditions that require a different approach to therapy, so differential diagnosis should be carried out.

Mycosis

When the skin is infected by parasitic fungi, the spots are usually small in size and have a pink tint with a raised area in the center. These rashes in some cases can look like skin after a burn. This deviation occurs as a result of the development of fungal flora and requires immediate treatment. Severe forms of mycosis can leave behind disfigured scars.

Granulomas

Granulomatous changes occur due to inflammation with the proliferation of connective tissue. With pathological granulomatosis, the mouth is affected, connective tissue nodules are found in the groin area and on the genitals.

The causes of such lesions are usually infectious diseases:

syphilis,
rabies,
encephalitis,
tuberculosis.

General rules and methods of treatment

Before starting treatment, you need to see a doctor to undergo a full examination and make an accurate diagnosis.

The general principles of therapy are to identify the allergen and eliminate contact with it. When the rashes occupy a large area and are accompanied by severe itching and discomfort, it is best to consult a doctor immediately. In the absence of proper treatment, allergies in children can also appear on the face, as in the photo below.

The treatment regimen for such deviations consists of taking antihistamines, which suppress the action of histamine produced in the affected area. This can be in tablet form, syrups and ointments for topical use.

First generation drugs relieve allergic symptoms and help calm the nervous system due to a sedative effect. These products include Diphenhydramine, Diazolin, Fenkarol, Psilo-balm (diphenhydramine-based ointment).
Second generation drugs have fewer side effects and can only cause drowsiness in children. This is Cetrine or Zodak. The latter remedy is used in children from one year old; for them it is available in the form of drops.
The third generation of antihistamines does not cause addiction or drowsiness. In addition, they have a longer effect. Telfast and Erius are most often prescribed.

Ointments with corticosteroids (Elocom, Advantan) are a very effective remedy. But since these drugs have multiple side effects, they should only be used on the advice of a doctor.

Contact dermatitis is best treated with topical treatments. The use of systemic drugs is advisable when the irritant enters with food or through the respiratory system.

Features of therapy in children

Treatment of a child with an allergic rash on the bends of the elbows should also begin with the exclusion of the allergen. Unlike an adult, a baby’s immunity is in its infancy; only by the age of three is it considered fully developed. Therefore, it is not always possible to detect a substance or food product that causes pathological irritation through laboratory testing.

New complementary feeding products and skin care cosmetics are the first to come under suspicion. If a child drinks mother's milk, then the woman should exclude baked goods, dairy products, chocolate and coffee from her diet to prevent another rash. The children's room must be wet cleaned daily.

If an older child eats from a common table, then it is necessary to introduce a hypoallergenic diet with the exclusion of products containing cocoa, sweets, red berries and vegetables . Along with the diet, you can give sorbents that will remove substances that cause allergies. It is best to use Smecta or Polysorb.

In very rare cases, antihistamines may be prescribed to an infant, but parents should keep in mind that they do not cure allergies, but only temporarily relieve their symptoms.

To relieve a dangerous condition in newborns, Tavegil and Diphenhydramine are used. These same medications can be taken by a woman during breastfeeding.

Skin care needs to be reconsidered. You should especially carefully select creams for the face and other areas with delicate skin prone to inflammation. It is best to use Fenistil-gel, Skin Cap, Gistan, Desitin to alleviate the condition.

Close location of capillaries to the surface of the skin

Another reason for redness. From irritation and hot water, the vessels dilate and become more visible than usual.

We exclude: rubbing the skin with a hard washcloth, cosmetic scrubs and peels, sudden changes in water.
If you are a fan of high temperatures, then redness will appear again and again. Take a bath with moderate or even slightly cool water temperature. Reduce the temperature gradually; you can use a special thermometer to control the process. For example, reduce by 1 degree every month. Important!
Lying in cool water for a long time is, of course, not recommended, here you focus on comfort, usually it is about 37-40 degrees. But for the shower you can use less. But remember that a cold shower is already hardening, and a special approach is needed here.

Nervous system disorders

Stress, nervousness, an unfavorable emotional environment at home or at work - all this can be reflected in red spots on the body. In this case, the bath serves as a kind of accelerator that brings out all your experiences.

Analyze the situation, perhaps you will find a certain pattern.
You can drink herbal soothing infusions yourself. Spend more time outdoors and relax.
If you feel that you cannot cope on your own, consult a doctor. Sometimes stress is of a deeper nature, then it is advisable to undergo a course of drug therapy.

Skin diseases

This group of reasons is the most common - it is because of certain skin diseases that the palms turn red and itch, most often.

So, possible diseases:

We lose defeat. It can be pink, cutting, colored. The spots can be brown, red, and after disappearance - white. As a rule, not only the arms are affected, but also the stomach and legs.
Dermatitis. It can be fungal, which manifests itself when infected with fungi, as well as atopic, which worsens periodically, usually in the off-season.
Psoriasis. A severe chronic disease that is difficult to treat. The spots are raised above the surface of the skin and, in the absence of quick and competent treatment, are covered with silvery scales.
Eczema. Its main symptoms are burning, itching, and inflamed skin surface.
Scleroderma. As a rule, it occurs after surgery or a serious illness suffered by the patient. For unknown reasons, fibrous tissue begins to replace healthy tissue. The first symptom of this severe disorder: red spots on the palms and neck, which gradually “grow” throughout the body.
Scabies. With this problem, spots on the hands are usually sporadic; the first symptom is itching and flaking on the wrists and between the fingers. A little later, the tick infects other parts of the body, causing the patient unbearable itching.

It is important to know: each of the listed diseases has its own specific treatment. In most cases, potent ointments and creams are prescribed. We strongly recommend that you consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. All skin diseases progress rapidly, some pose a danger to internal organs, and not just to the skin.

Sensitive skin.

Sensitivity can be with you almost all your life, or it can appear suddenly.

Symptoms of sensitive skin:

— Excessively whitish tint of the skin; - Tightening sensation after taking a bath; - Irritations that sometimes arise “out of the blue”; — Tendency to form pigment spots; - You periodically experience: burning, swelling, tingling, redness, itching, peeling; — Susceptibility to ultraviolet rays (leading to burns).

What it is not advisable to do if you are hypersensitive:

Take an excessively hot bath;
Rub the skin with a hard washcloth;
Use scrub or peeling frequently;
Clean the bathtub with aggressive chemicals

What is better to avoid:

From various bath foams, gels, soaps - having a hard or “questionable” composition;
Add salt and/or potent essential oils to the bath.

Beauty tip:

— Buy eco-friendly or natural body cosmetics, without chemical components; — Or try making homemade cosmetics yourself; — Take a bath with herbal infusions. Choose those that will relieve irritation and soothe sensitive skin - Install a main filter for water purification (today this is an excellent solution for any skin type)!

Diseases of internal organs

If all of the above reasons do not apply, we can assume some kind of internal organ disease. Our body is an integral and complex system; when one organ is disrupted, there is often a reaction to another. And since the skin is our largest organ, we can observe a side effect - from the outside.

Recommendations: There is only one recommendation here - consult a doctor. Perhaps by external manifestations our body, as it were, “draws attention” to a more important problem.

In this article, we briefly examined the main reasons why red spots may appear on the body after taking a bath. If you, like our reader, want to eliminate this unpleasant symptom, write in the comments:

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Author of the article: Lina Zdorovie Official website of the author: LinaBlog.ru Instagram:@linazdorovie

Why is there a problem?

It is known that untreated water contains not only its main components - oxygen and hydrogen - but also a lot of various impurities. The main ones:

Chlorine _ The main allergen is present in abundance in tap water in those regions of residence where the chlorination procedure has not yet been abandoned.
Nitrates . People who use well water are affected by these compounds.
Dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride - increased concentrations of these substances are observed in tap water in many large industrial cities.
Fluorine and other chemical elements are present in abundance in the fillers of cleaning cartridges of modern water filter systems.

Often, it is these additives that cause a hypertrophied protective reaction of the body - that is, allergies.

In some cases, it is not the water itself that causes a characteristic reaction on the skin, but soap, shower gels, facial washes and other cosmetics used during hygiene procedures.

Doctors identify three main causes of aquagenic urticaria:

immune failure (for example, after prolonged use of antibacterial drugs);
chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys (the main “filters” of the human body);
lack of immunoglobulin class "E".

The main feature of an allergic reaction to water is its tendency to constantly develop. So, over time, the situation only gets worse and can give rise to other more serious health problems.