Rash

Hives (urticaria) can be different sizes and shapes. It can appear anywhere on the body in adults and children. They may disappear and come back on another part of your body within 24 hours.

The rash is often itchy and sometimes feels like it is stinging or burning.

Check if you have hives

Contact dermatitis can happen after your skin touches something:

• you are allergic to
• that irritates your skin

Contact dermatitis can cause your skin to become:

• itchy, blistered, dry or cracked
• swollen
• red, if you have white skin
• dark brown, purple or grey, if you have black or brown skin

Contact dermatitis

Erythema multiforme is a skin reaction that can be triggered by an infection or some medicines.

The main symptom of erythema multiforme is a rash. It often starts on the hands or feet and spreads to the limbs, upper body and face. The rash usually matches on both sides of the body.

Erythema multiforme

Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection common in children. It is not as common in adults.

Children usually get a bright red rash on both cheeks. Your child may get a light pink rash on their body a few days later. The rash may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Adults do not always get a rash.

Slapped cheek syndrome

Acne causes spots and oily skin. Sometimes it can cause skin that is hot or sore to touch.

Acne

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the face. It usually affects people over age 30 and people with white skin.

Some signs of rosacea are:

• redness (flushing) across your nose, cheeks, forehead and chin that comes and goes
• dry skin
• red bumps or white head spots in the affected areas

The redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin.

Check if you have rosacea

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that causes areas of skin to become itchy, dry, cracked, inflamed, sore and irritated.

Babies (including newborns), children and adults can get eczema.

Eczema

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes dry, scaly patches of skin. Psoriasis may be itchy or sore.

On white skin the patches can look pink or red, and the scales white or silvery.

On brown and black skin the patches can look pink, red, purple or dark brown. The scales may look grey, white or silvery.

Check if you have psoriasis

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition that can affect anyone. But it is more common in older children and young adults between age 10 and 35.

The main symptom of pityriasis rosea is a rash.

You first get a single, scaly patch called a herald patch. A few days or weeks later, you get a widespread rash.

On white skin, the herald patch is usually pink with a red border. On brown or black skin, the patch may be a grey, dark brown or black.

Check if you have pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis versicolor is a common fungal infection.

It causes small patches of skin to be:

• scaly
• darker or lighter than your normal skin colour

The patches can also be red, brown or pink. They may form larger patches over time. The patches can be itchy.

Pityriasis versicolor

Ringworm is a common fungal infection.

The main symptom of ringworm is a red or silver rash. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy.

Check if it's ringworm

Chickenpox is a viral infection. It mostly affects children under age 10, but you can get it at any age.

The main symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, spotty rash. It can start anywhere on your body. But you usually see the rash on your tummy, chest, back and face first.

Check if it's chickenpox

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the chickenpox virus.

You usually get shingles on your chest and tummy. But you can also get it on your face, eyes and genitals.

The shingles rash looks like a cluster on your skin that is only on 1 side of your body. A rash on both sides of your body is unlikely to be shingles.

Check if you have shingles

Measles is a viral infection that spreads very easily. The measles rash appears about 2 to 4 days after your first symptoms.

It usually starts on your head or neck then spreads outwards to the rest of your body.

The rash can be flat or slightly raised and join together into large blotchy patches. It looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Check if you or your child has measles

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that spreads easily. It mostly affects young children.

A symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease is a raised rash of spots on the hands, feet, around or inside the mouth, and sometimes the groin area and bum.

Check if it's hand, foot and mouth disease

Scarlet fever is an infection caused by bacteria. It mostly affects young children. It is less common in adults.

A rash appears 12 to 48 hours after you or your child's first symptoms. It looks like small, raised bumps. The rash starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads.

The rash makes the skin feel rough, like sandpaper.

Check if you or your child has scarlet fever

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria that spreads easily. Anyone can get impetigo. But it is very common in young children.

Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters. The redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin. When the blisters burst, they leave crusty, golden-brown patches. These patches can be itchy.

Check if you or your child has impetigo

Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It can be serious if it is not treated.

Your skin is swollen, painful and feels warm. It may look red on some skin tones.

Check if you have cellulitis

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a tiny mite that gets under the skin and lays eggs.

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching, especially at night. You may also have a raised line on your skin with dots at each end. This may turn into a raised rash or spots.

The raised line, rash or spots can appear anywhere on your body. But they are common around the hands, wrists, legs, bum, feet, penis or vagina.

Check if you have scabies