most rashes are not dangerous to a person or people in the vicinity (unless they are part of an infectious disease such as chickenpox). many rashes last a while and get better on their own. it is therefore not unreasonable to treat symptoms like itchy and/or dry skin for a few days to see whether the condition gets milder and goes away. nonprescription (over-the-counter) remedies include: anti-itch creams containing camphor menthol pramoxine (itch-x sarna sensitive) or diphenhydramine (benadryl). antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (benadryl) chlorpheniramine (chlor-trimeton) or loratadine (claritin claritin reditabs alavert); and cetirizine (zyrtec). moisturizing lotions. if these measures do not help or if the rash persists or becomes more widespread a visit to a general physician or dermatologist is advisable. a word on smallpox vaccination in patients with rashes people with atopic dermatitis or eczema should not be vaccinated against smallpox whether or not the condition is active. patients with atopic dermatitis are more susceptible to having the virus spread on their skin which can lead to a serious even life-threatening condition called eczema vaccinatum. in the case of other rashes the risk of complications is much less. consult your doctor about the smallpox vaccine.
what is the treatment for a rash?