Rash On Stomach
Does the skin on your stomach look blotchy and red? Do you have spots that are scaly, bumpy, flaky, or even filled with pus? Do you have itchy bumps on your stomach? Not only are stomach rashes uncomfortable and unsightly, when they do not go away on their own, they may cause you to worry about why they are there in the first place.
These rashes on your stomach may be caused by many different factors, and sometimes they may be indicative of something going on in your stomach itself or point to something body-wide, or what medical experts label “systemic.” They may be symptoms of fungal infection, or one of many bacterial infection symptoms. Or, they may have more serious underlying causes.
What are the possible causes of rashes on the stomach? First off, skin inflammation or contact dermatitis may occur due to an adverse reaction to an object that touches the skin, such as chemicals in detergent, a fragrance, or soap. This means that a rash on the stomach may develop when you put on a new blouse or shirt, of after you washed old clothing with a new brand of detergent. Sometimes, babies may manifest these rashes when their skin is reacting to chemicals in detergent used to wash their clothes. Contact dermatitis may also manifest after being exposed to certain plants, particularly poison ivy or oak, or when stung by an insect or bitten by an animal. For example, a tick bite can cause Lyme disease, which manifests first as a circle with a pattern of a bull’s-eye, and from there progress into a rash.
Food allergies and allergies to medications may also cause rash. The most common foods that trigger allergic reaction rash are shellfish, strawberries, avocados, and peanuts; of course, these may result in mild reactions, but sometimes the symptoms of food allergy can become life-threatening, especially when accompanied by other allergic reactions such as swelling, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. An example of a serious and possibly fatal allergic reaction is allergic pupura, which may cause a rash to appear on the skin but also affects the kidneys, joints, and gastrointestinal tract.
Other non-serious causes of rash would be extreme heat or cold, medications, and stress. For these, home remedies for rashes may work and cause the rash to fade away. The typical action plan for these types of rashes would be to look for treatment of itching. However, if you are seriously concerned about your stomach rash, you need to understand other possibilities and act accordingly.
Sometimes rashes come about along with skin disorders, the most common of which are psoriasis, impetigo, and eczema. Psoriasis eruptions commonly show up on the stomach, and manifests as white scaly spots with inflammation.
What are the most common diseases that cause rashes? Chickenpox or shingles is a common infection that manifests as a rash on the stomach prior to spreading to other areas. Eczema, a skin disorder that may be caused by an infection, results in blistering or scaly rashes. Erythema nodosum, impetigo, measles, rubella, mumps, scarlet fever and roseola are other infections that cause a stomach rash. Lyme disease, caused by tick bites, or meningitis, an inflammation or infection of the sac around the spinal cord and brain, ringworm, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and strep throat also cause stomach rash. Other than being caused by an infection, an autoimmune disorder may also cause stomach rash. These include Kawasaki disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Stomach rashes may also be one of the signs of lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder in which the body fights against its own healthy cells.
Autoimmune disorders may also cause rash: these conditions are characterized by the person’s immune system attacking its own body instead of protecting it from foreign bodies. An example of a serious, though rare, condition that manifests with skin rashes in children is Kawasaki disease, which is believed to originate from an autoimmune disorder. It typically manifests with a very high fever accompanied by a rash that may start on the stomach. Other viruses, including the ones that cause common diseases in childhood, also produce rash. For example, scarlet fever typically comes out with a rash on the stomach prior to spreading to other body parts.
How do you know if a rash on your or your child’s stomach is serious? It is important to check what other symptoms might be manifesting with the rash. This is because the other symptoms provide an important clue about what possible disease, condition, or disorder underlies the occurrence of the rash, as most conditions that result in a stomach rash may involve other bodily systems.
Localized symptoms that typically accompany stomach rash are itchiness, bruising, tenderness or pain, warmth, redness, or swelling, and pus or discharge. Other symptoms that affect other body parts but which may also accompany stomach rash are fever and chills, cough, headache, runny nose, sweating, and sore throat.
However, there are also more serious symptoms that typically call for immediate medical care. These include a change in the level of alertness or consciousness of the individual, such as unresponsiveness or passing out. Fever and chills, as well as joint stiffness and pain, may also be warning signs. A purple rash is also deemed to be a serious symptom, as are constriction or tightness in the throat, breathing or respiratory problems, such as difficulty or labored breathing, choking, wheezing, inability to breathe, or shortness of breath. A sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, or face is also a crucial sign. Also take immediate action if the symptoms seem to get worse even when treated.
How do doctors diagnose what causes a rash? When you consult your doctor, first of all, he will typically check when the rash began, if you are taking nay medications, and if you have any known allergies. He will also check if the rash causes scaling or itching, and if you feel healthy despite the rash. He will also check if you have tried any new products lately, such as perfumes, sprays, or soaps. He will also check if you have spent considerable time outdoors in recent days.
Given how stomach rash may be a manifestation of a serious disease, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible so as to avoid permanent damage and possible complications. Be sure to seek medical advice and follow the treatment plan which your doctor recommends. Once you successfully pinpoint and manage to deal with the underlying cause, before long you can kiss your stomach rash goodbye.