Rare indeed is the person who has never had a skin rash, by far
the most common complaint in any creature with a skin-covered
body. Although skin rashes have hundreds of causes, their common
feature is an area of irritated or swollen skin, which may be
characterized by redness, bumps, scaly patches, crusty patches,
or blisters. Skin rashes can develop instantaneously, over the
course of several days, or over several months. If your rash has
developed in less than one or two weeks, it may be easier for
you — or your doctor or dermatologist — to determine its cause.
The site of your rash may also offer some clues: For example, if
you have a rash on your face, it could be acne or rosacea. If it
occurs on your feet, it could be athlete's foot. If you see a
rash around your waist, it could be shingles, a reactivation of
the chicken pox infection you had as a child. Perhaps most
significantly — because it might affect your ability to work —
would be a rash on your hands, wrists, or arms, which could be a
sign of ei