Common skin rashes

Eczema means an inflammation of the skin that causes the skin to become dry, red and often itchy. There can be various reasons why eczema occurs, for example it can be due to dry skin, a weakened skin barrier or that you have come into contact with something that you are allergic to. Eczema is not contagious. Depending on how the eczema feels and how it looks, a different diagnosis is made. It can be atopic dermatitis (also called atopic eczema), dandruff, contact eczema, coin-shaped eczema or lower leg eczema.

Hives appear as raised itchy rashes. They are the same color as the skin or they are bright red. Many times the itching comes before the rash. They can quickly change shape and location on the body and leave no traces behind. Hives can be caused by many different things, for example caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods, a wasp sting, or by a non-allergic reaction to infection or to a drug. In rare cases, hives appear due to pressure, cold, sun or physical exertion. Sometimes hives are part of an allergic reaction that, in rare cases, can lead to anaphylactic shock.

Psoriasis is a hereditary skin disease that causes red spots on the body, skin that scales and sometimes itches. The rash can be anywhere on the body, but is most common on the elbows, knees, lower legs, scalp and lower back. The disease is caused by an inflammation of the skin and often comes in relapses (periods when the symptoms flare up). There are several different types of psoriasis such as plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis or nail psoriasis. Some people with psoriasis can also get pain in the joints, which is called psoriatic arthritis.

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness, pimples and red rashes, usually on the face. You may also feel that your face is hot or stinging. Most often, the rash settles on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. No one knows for sure what causes the disease, but the problems can be triggered by strong food, alcohol, stress and the sun, among other things. The disease is not contagious and usually begins after the age of 30.

Medallion disease (which in Latin is called pityriasis rosea and is also called rosacea) is a skin disease that is most common among school-age children and young adults (10–35 years). The name comes from rosea (cut) and pityriasis (scaly). The disease can start with you getting a first oval rash of a few centimeters, a so-called primary medallion, on the upper body, arms or thighs. Within a few weeks, several similar but smaller rashes appear near the first one. The face is usually not exposed. The skin rashes are pink, scaly and sometimes itchy. No one knows exactly what causes the disease, but it is believed to be caused by a virus and is most common in spring and autumn. Medallion disease is not contagious and usually goes away on its own within a few months.

Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and it mainly affects children. Once you have had the disease once, you are immune and therefore cannot be affected again. It takes 10–20 days between the time of infection and until symptoms appear.  The disease often begins with a fever and then causes red rashes on the skin that develop into fluid-filled blisters that itch. The symptoms get worse the older you are when you get Chicken pox.

Swine pox is a contagious bacterial infection of the skin that most often affects children of preschool age, but can occur at any age. The infection appears as small red dots that then turn into small blisters filled with warts. Sometimes the skin just gets red and shiny. Swine pox is most common on the face, but they can also be found on other parts of the body. Swine pox often breaks out in connection with a cold, as bacteria more easily attach to moist or irritated skin. Children with eczema get the disease more easily as the skin barrier is already weakened.

Autumn blisters is a viral infection that mainly occurs among children under 10 years of age. The infection is transmitted through contact and is most common in late summer and autumn. Symptoms are fever combined with blisters that settle in and around the mouth and sometimes also on the hands, feet and bottom. The disease is therefore sometimes also called hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The disease is transmitted through close contact, for example through hand contact, and is most contagious during the first few days. Most often, the disease goes away on its own within a week or so.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous viral disease that has largely been eradicated in Belgium, thanks to the general vaccination program. The symptoms are high fever, dry cough, runny nose, sensitivity to light and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash on the face that then spreads over the body. The rash is bright red at first but then darkens and coalesces. There is a high risk of secondary diseases such as inflammation of the ears, lungs and sinuses. In the worst case, you can also get encephalitis, which can be life-threatening. The disease is more common abroad but can still break out in Sweden from time to time.

Three-day fever is a harmless viral illness that is common in children between 6 months and two years of age. The disease begins with a high fever that lasts for about three days.

When the fever goes down, the child often gets red rashes on the stomach and back, which disappear on their own within a few days. Some children do not get a rash. The child can only get a three-day fever once.