Rash Risk Factors and Causes

Risk Factors and Causes of Rashes

A personal or family history of allergies or asthma increases the risk for rashes. People who spend a lot of time outdoors are at increased risk for poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac; and for rashes caused by insect bites.

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Common causes for rashes include the following:

• Allergic reaction (e.g., resulting from an animal allergy, drug allergy, or food allergy)
• Bacterial infection (e.g., impetigo)
• Drug side effect
• Excessive skin rubbing (friction)
• Fungal infections (e.g., athlete's foot, ringworm)
• Insect bites (e.g., tick, flea, spider, mosquito)
• Parasite infection (e.g., scabies)
• Prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, or irritants (e.g., heat rash, diaper rash, contact dermatitis)

Certain medical conditions can result in a rash, including the following:

• Acne (often develops on the face, neck, back, and shoulders)
• Lupus (commonly causes a "butterfly" rash across the cheeks and under the eyes)
• Lyme disease (usually transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick; causes a "bull's eye" rash)
• Psoriasis (typically causes round, red lesions with sharply defined edges and overlying silvery white scales [called plaques]; usually begins as small spots that progressively involve very large areas)
• Rosacea (often occurs on the forehead, nose, and chin)

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