What’s that rash?
You may have some sort of rash or skin condition. It might itch or hurt or not, it might last just days or you may have had it for years, it might be on your face or on your elbows, it may be bumpy or flat. What is it, and what can be done about it?
An important thing to consider is that all parts of the body, including the skin, are interconnected. A rash can be – and in fact usually is – a warning signal that something else is going on in your body. Treating the rash and treating the overall condition can be one and the same.
The primary question is: what’s causing the rash? The cause can be bacteria, viruses, allergens, toxins, bugs, or plants. The cause determines the treatment, and to figure out the cause, it helps to look at what kind of rash it is.
Contact dermatitis
Dermatitis is another word for rash (derma = skin, and -itis = inflammation). Contact dermatitis is a rash that occurs when something that you touch irritates the skin or causes a local allergic reaction. An example is poison ivy or poison oak. If a rash occurs on a particular part of the body, that’s an important clue. If it’s mostly on your hands, you might be having trouble with your dishwashing liquid, hand lotion, or something you routinely touch. If it’s under your arms, your deodorant might be the culprit. If it’s on your feet, suspect an allergy to your carpet or shoes.
Metals, especially nickel (found in stainless steel) are common causes of contact dermatitis. If you develop a red, itchy rash on your earlobes when wearing earrings, or on your finger under your ring, allergy to the metal can be the problem.
In the case of contact dermatitis, identifying and removing the problem chemical or plant usually takes care of the rash.
Fungus
A red, shiny, sore area that might have an unpleasant smell and that occurs where air can’t circulate can be due to fungus. Such areas are under the breasts, the groin, the armpits, and between skin folds in those who are considerably overweight or in babies.
Another kind of a fungus-caused rash is athlete’s foot, which can be itchy or sore in addition to red and peeling.
Ringworm, a circular rash, has nothing to do with worms but is a fungal infection.
The presence of skin fungus of any kind is usually an indication that there is yeast or fungus throughout the body. There are medications and herbal supplements that can get the yeast under control, and a yeast-free and sugar-free (sugar feeds yeast) diet is important.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the entire body. One of the indicators of lupus is a “butterfly rash” over the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Skin sores that worsen with sun exposure are another rashlike symptom of lupus.
Since lupus is a complex autoimmune disease, the key to managing it is to identify and remove toxins and allergens, and also to build up your immune system so it can function properly. The practitioners at CAM are skilled in working with toxicity and immune system issues.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions are a common cause of skin rashes. We have discussed contact dermatitis, but sometimes it’s something that has gotten into your body, not just on your skin, that causes the rash. That something can be a food or medication allergy. The detoxification diet used at CAM and described in the book Detox or Disease (written by Dr. Kellas and Dr. Dworkin and available at CAM) is a good place to start. If you eliminate all the foods that are most likely to be problematic and the rash clears up, then food reactivity is likely the culprit. After the rash clears up on the detox diet, foods can be added back in one at a time so the problem foods can be identified and avoided.
Heat
Summer is a time when rashes are most likely. In addition to poison ivy or oak and bug bites, heat itself can cause skin problems. A short-lived condition called prickly heat can occur when it’s hot and sweat can’t evaporate. Prickly heat usually shows up as itchy red bumps.
Another way in which heat can cause rashes is when you are overloaded with toxins and these come out in your sweat, irritating your skin. This is especially likely in areas of your body where sweat can’t evaporate as easily. A short-term solution is to try to avoid getting hot enough to sweat, and to wear clothing that is loose and allows sweat to dry. A more lasting solution is to recognize that this problem affects your whole body and to do some detoxifying; CAM can help with this.
Eczema and psoriasis
Rashes from eczema and psoriasis can last for years if untreated. Eczema is often caused by food allergy, especially to wheat, and from yeast overgrowth which is usually related to sugar consumption. Nickel from stainless steel dental work can cause eczema and other rashes. Beneficial oils in the diet can help, but for lasting results the cause needs to be dealt with.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a rash, usually on the face, that can range in appearance from flushing to dilated blood vessels to a condition that can be mistaken for acne. Certain foods as well as alcohol can aggravate rosacea, as can heat, sun, and stress.
Shingles
Shingles is a very painful rash occurring on one side of the body. It is a flareup of long-dormant chickenpox virus. Gamma globulin injections can help ease the attack by strengthening the immune system.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease, caused by a bacterium spread by ticks, can cause lifelong health problems ranging from arthritis to heart problems to neurological symptoms. If caught early and treated with antibiotics, the later-stage problems can be avoided. One of the first symptoms of Lyme disease, although not always present, is called a bulls-eye rash – a reddish area at the site of the bite, surrounded by normal skin, which itself is surrounded by more reddish skin. Such a rash pattern should be immediately evaluated by a knowledgeable doctor.
Get that rash looked at
If you have a rash of any kind, and the cause isn’t obvious (like poison ivy), have it looked at professionally to determine the cause. Don’t settle for medication or cream that just covers up the symptom. Your rash has something important to tell you about your health. Practitioners at CAM can help you figure out and take care of what’s going on.
