🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 129 (from laksa172)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa129.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/04/red-itchy-rash\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/04/red-itchy-rash\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2012\/04\/red-itchy-rash","crawl_time":1766511003,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"gov,nih!newsinhealth,\/2012\/04\/red-itchy-rash s443","src_root_hash":"7295144728021232729","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Red, Itchy Rash? | NIH News in Health","meta_descriptions":["You’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it?"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Get the Skinny on Dermatitis\nYou’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it?\nWe often think of the skin as a barrier—it keeps the insides of our bodies in, and it keeps the outside world out. But our skin is also filled with special cells of the\nThe system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria and other microscopic threats.\nimmune system\n. These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. Whenever these cells detect a suspicious substance, they begin a chain reaction in the skin that leads to\nHeat, swelling and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection.\ninflammation\n. The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. But it’s more commonly known as a rash.\nThere are many different types of dermatitis, and each has a distinct set of treatments. Sometimes the skin’s immune cells react to something that directly touches the skin. Other times, the immune system flares in the skin because of a whole-body infection or illness.\nThe symptoms of these different types of rashes often overlap. “Itching is a common symptom for all these problems,” says Dr. Stephen I. Katz, director of NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Many rashes are red, painful, and irritated. Some types of rash can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. While most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long lasting and need to be cared for over long periods of time.\nEczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash that affects up to 1 in 5 infants and young children. It often improves over time, although it can last into adulthood or start later in life. In this condition, the water-tight barrier between skin cells gets weak, which lets moisture out and other things in. That’s why people with atopic dermatitis have to moisturize their skin, and they’re more susceptible to skin infections.\nResearchers have recently identified specific\nStretches of DNA, a substance you inherit from your parents, that define characteristics such as how likely you are to get certain diseases.\ngenes\nthat are involved in maintaining the skin barrier. People with certain versions of these genes are more likely to get atopic dermatitis.\n“The skin is the outermost sentinel for fighting off bacteria and noxious agents,” says Katz. “If the barrier is broken somehow, you can become more allergic to things.”\nA skin allergy, or allergic contact dermatitis, produces a red, itchy rash that sometimes comes with small blisters or bumps. The rash arises when the skin comes in contact with an allergen, a usually harmless substance that the immune system attacks. Allergens trigger allergic reactions. Allergens can come from certain soaps, creams and even pets.\nYour immune system might not react the first time you encounter an allergen. But over time, your immune system can become sensitive to the substance. As a result, your next contact may lead to inflammation and an allergic rash.\n“The most common form of dermatitis that is seen anywhere is an allergic contact dermatitis to nickel,” says Katz. “Why? Because of ear piercing.” Many inexpensive earrings are made of nickel, and over time, wearing nickel earrings can cause an allergic reaction to the metal.\nOther common causes of allergic dermatitis are poison oak and poison ivy. The stems and leaves of these plants produce a chemical that’s likely to cause allergies. If you touch one of them, wash your skin as soon as possible. The chemical can also remain in clothing for a long time, so it’s important to wash any clothes or shoes—or even pets—that come into contact with these plants.\nMild cases of allergic contact dermatitis usually disappear after a few days or weeks. But if the rash persists, is extremely uncomfortable or occurs on the face, it’s important to see a physician. A doctor can prescribe medications that will tone down the immune reaction in the skin. This eases swelling and itching and will protect your eyes and face.\nThe immune cells of the skin can also produce rashes when they react to invading germs—like bacteria, fungi and viruses. Bacterial and viral infections within your body can cause your skin to break out in spots as well. The chickenpox virus, for example, can cause itchy spots in children. Years later, in older adults, the same virus may reappear as shingles, bringing a painful rash and high fever. Vaccines can prevent several rash-causing diseases, including chickenpox, shingles and measles.\nCertain drugs, including antibiotics like amoxicillin, may also cause itchy skin rashes. If you’re allergic to a drug, a rash can be the first sign of a serious reaction. As with other allergies, a reaction to a drug may not occur the first time you take it. It could show up after several uses. Not all drug rashes are due to an allergy, however. If you break out in itchy spots after starting a new drug prescription, contact your doctor right away.\nWhile most rashes get better with time, some can last a lifetime. Psoriasis, a condition where skin cells build up into thick red patches, tends to run in families. “It’s a complex genetic disease, in that there’s not one gene that causes psoriasis but many,” says Katz. Even though none of these genes alone has a great effect on the disease, knowing which genes are involved can help researchers design potential new treatments. Other long-term diseases that can produce rashes include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and some forms of cancer.\nIf you notice an itchy or painful rash on your skin, think twice before going to the drugstore and getting some cream if you don’t know the cause. “The creams that you buy can produce problems that make your original problem even worse,” Katz says. Because rashes can be caused by many different things—bacteria, viruses, drugs, allergies, genetic disorders, and even light—it’s important to figure out what kind of dermatitis you have.\n“If you have any significant rash, you should see a dermatologist,” says Katz. A dermatologist, or skin doctor, is specially trained to figure out what’s causing a rash and help you get the right treatment.\nYour skin is your protection. It’s not just the covering that keeps your body in; it’s also your first line of defense against germs and chemicals. Take care of your skin so your skin can take care of you.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2012\/04\/red-itchy-rash#main-content)\n\n[![NIH News in Health](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/themes\/custom\/newsinhealth_uswds\/images\/nih-newsinhealth-logo.png)](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/ \"NIH News in Health\")\n\nA monthly newsletter from the National Institutes of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\n\nSearch\n\nMenu\n\nSearch\n\nMenu\n\n## Site Menu\n- [Home](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/)\n- [Past Issues](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/past-issues\/all)\n- [Special Collections](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/special-collections)\n- [En Español](https:\/\/salud.nih.gov\/recursos-de-salud\/nih-noticias-de-salud)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/subscribe)\n\n[April 2012](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2012\/04)\n\n[Print this issue](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/2012\/April\/NIHNiHApr2012.pdf)\n# Red, Itchy Rash?\nGet the Skinny on Dermatitis\n\n[En español](https:\/\/salud.nih.gov\/articulo\/sarpullido-y-picazon\/)\n\n[Send us your comments (link sends e-mail)](mailto:nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov)\n\n![Illustration of a doctor examining a rash on a woman’s arm.](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/2012\/April\/illustration-doctor-examining-rash-womans-arm.jpg)\n\nYou’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it?\n\nWe often think of the skin as a barrier—it keeps the insides of our bodies in, and it keeps the outside world out. But our skin is also filled with special cells of the The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria and other microscopic threats. immune system. These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. Whenever these cells detect a suspicious substance, they begin a chain reaction in the skin that leads to Heat, swelling and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection. inflammation. The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. But it’s more commonly known as a rash.\n\nThere are many different types of dermatitis, and each has a distinct set of treatments. Sometimes the skin’s immune cells react to something that directly touches the skin. Other times, the immune system flares in the skin because of a whole-body infection or illness.\n\nThe symptoms of these different types of rashes often overlap. “Itching is a common symptom for all these problems,” says Dr. Stephen I. Katz, director of NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Many rashes are red, painful, and irritated. Some types of rash can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. While most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long lasting and need to be cared for over long periods of time.\n\nEczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash that affects up to 1 in 5 infants and young children. It often improves over time, although it can last into adulthood or start later in life. In this condition, the water-tight barrier between skin cells gets weak, which lets moisture out and other things in. That’s why people with atopic dermatitis have to moisturize their skin, and they’re more susceptible to skin infections.\n\nResearchers have recently identified specific Stretches of DNA, a substance you inherit from your parents, that define characteristics such as how likely you are to get certain diseases. genes that are involved in maintaining the skin barrier. People with certain versions of these genes are more likely to get atopic dermatitis.\n\n“The skin is the outermost sentinel for fighting off bacteria and noxious agents,” says Katz. “If the barrier is broken somehow, you can become more allergic to things.”\n\nA skin allergy, or allergic contact dermatitis, produces a red, itchy rash that sometimes comes with small blisters or bumps. The rash arises when the skin comes in contact with an allergen, a usually harmless substance that the immune system attacks. Allergens trigger allergic reactions. Allergens can come from certain soaps, creams and even pets.\n\nYour immune system might not react the first time you encounter an allergen. But over time, your immune system can become sensitive to the substance. As a result, your next contact may lead to inflammation and an allergic rash.\n\n“The most common form of dermatitis that is seen anywhere is an allergic contact dermatitis to nickel,” says Katz. “Why? Because of ear piercing.” Many inexpensive earrings are made of nickel, and over time, wearing nickel earrings can cause an allergic reaction to the metal.\n\nOther common causes of allergic dermatitis are poison oak and poison ivy. The stems and leaves of these plants produce a chemical that’s likely to cause allergies. If you touch one of them, wash your skin as soon as possible. The chemical can also remain in clothing for a long time, so it’s important to wash any clothes or shoes—or even pets—that come into contact with these plants.\n\nMild cases of allergic contact dermatitis usually disappear after a few days or weeks. But if the rash persists, is extremely uncomfortable or occurs on the face, it’s important to see a physician. A doctor can prescribe medications that will tone down the immune reaction in the skin. This eases swelling and itching and will protect your eyes and face.\n\nThe immune cells of the skin can also produce rashes when they react to invading germs—like bacteria, fungi and viruses. Bacterial and viral infections within your body can cause your skin to break out in spots as well. The chickenpox virus, for example, can cause itchy spots in children. Years later, in older adults, the same virus may reappear as shingles, bringing a painful rash and high fever. Vaccines can prevent several rash-causing diseases, including chickenpox, shingles and measles.\n\nCertain drugs, including antibiotics like amoxicillin, may also cause itchy skin rashes. If you’re allergic to a drug, a rash can be the first sign of a serious reaction. As with other allergies, a reaction to a drug may not occur the first time you take it. It could show up after several uses. Not all drug rashes are due to an allergy, however. If you break out in itchy spots after starting a new drug prescription, contact your doctor right away.\n\nWhile most rashes get better with time, some can last a lifetime. Psoriasis, a condition where skin cells build up into thick red patches, tends to run in families. “It’s a complex genetic disease, in that there’s not one gene that causes psoriasis but many,” says Katz. Even though none of these genes alone has a great effect on the disease, knowing which genes are involved can help researchers design potential new treatments. Other long-term diseases that can produce rashes include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and some forms of cancer.\n\nIf you notice an itchy or painful rash on your skin, think twice before going to the drugstore and getting some cream if you don’t know the cause. “The creams that you buy can produce problems that make your original problem even worse,” Katz says. Because rashes can be caused by many different things—bacteria, viruses, drugs, allergies, genetic disorders, and even light—it’s important to figure out what kind of dermatitis you have.\n\n“If you have any significant rash, you should see a dermatologist,” says Katz. A dermatologist, or skin doctor, is specially trained to figure out what’s causing a rash and help you get the right treatment.\n\nYour skin is your protection. It’s not just the covering that keeps your body in; it’s also your first line of defense against germs and chemicals. Take care of your skin so your skin can take care of you.\n\n### Wise Choices\n#### Call Your Doctor If …\n- Your rash is so uncomfortable or painful it interferes with daily activities or sleep.\n- The rash is on your face.\n- Your rash looks worrisome or seems infected.\n- You break out in a rash after taking a new medication.\n- Your rash lasts for several days.\n\n### Find More Information\n- [Atopic Dermatitis](http:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/Health_Info\/Atopic_Dermatitis\/default.asp)\n- [Contact Dermatitis](http:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/medlineplus\/ency\/article\/000869.htm)\n- [Itchy, Scaly Skin?](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2010\/08\/itchy-scaly-skin)\n- [Psoriasis](http:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/Health_Info\/Psoriasis\/default.asp)\n- [Looking at Lupus](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2011\/11\/looking-lupus)\n- [Lupus](http:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/Health_Info\/Lupus\/default.asp)\n\n### Featured Stories\n![Illustration of four ways to stay safe from germs](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/styles\/teaser_900x527\/public\/2022\/January\/jan2022-cover-illustration-four-ways-stay-safe-germs-cropped.jpg?itok=oMpNPoEg)\n\n[Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold?](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2022\/01\/it-flu-covid-19-allergies-or-cold)\n\n![Illustration of a person breathing hard while using an indoor stationary bike.](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/styles\/teaser_900x527\/public\/2024-10\/page3-oct-2024-illustration-person-breathing-hard-while-biking-cropped.jpg?itok=cK1iiZl1)\n\n[Stopping Middle-Age Spread](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2024\/10\/stopping-middle-age-spread)\n\n![Illustration of a mom holding a tablet while showing her daughter the kids outside, while the child rubs her eyes.](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/styles\/teaser_900x527\/public\/2024-08\/sep-2024-page3-illustration-mom-holding-tablet-while-showing-daughter-kids-outside-while-child-rubs-eyes-cropped.jpg?itok=i_Q1xece)\n\n[Tired, Achy Eyes?](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2024\/09\/tired-achy-eyes)\n\n![Illustration of a group playing a board game at a community center.](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/sites\/newsinhealth\/files\/styles\/teaser_900x527\/public\/2024-06\/jul-2024-cover-illustration-group-playing-board-game-community-center-cropped.jpg?itok=mAMZ0taY)\n\n[Buffering Childhood Stress](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2024\/07\/buffering-childhood-stress)\n\n[NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison](https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/institutes-nih\/nih-office-director\/office-communications-public-liaison)  \n Health and Science Publications Branch  \n Building 31, Room 5B52  \n Bethesda, MD 20892-2094\n\n**Contact Us:**  \n [nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov](mailto:nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov)  \n Phone: 301-451-8224\n\n**Share Our Materials:** Reprint our articles and illustrations in your own publication. Our material is not copyrighted. Please acknowledge *NIH News in Health* as the source and send us a copy.\n\nFor more consumer health news and information, visit [health.nih.gov](https:\/\/health.nih.gov\/).\n\nFor wellness toolkits, visit [www.nih.gov\/wellnesstoolkits](https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/health-information\/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits).\n\n## Footer\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/subscribe)\n- [RSS](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/rss)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/)\n- [Past Issues](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/past-issues)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/about-us)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/privacy)\n- [Disclaimers](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/disclaimers)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/accessibility)\n\n- [Freedom of Information Act](https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/institutes-nih\/nih-office-director\/office-communications-public-liaison\/freedom-information-act-office)\n- [No Fear Act](https:\/\/eeo.nih.gov\/no-fear-act)\n- [HHS Vulnerability Disclosure](https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/vulnerability-disclosure-policy\/index.html)\n- [Office of Inspector General](https:\/\/oig.hhs.gov\/)\n- [USA.gov – Government Made Easy](https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/)\n\nNIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®\n\n[National Institutes of Health](https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/)  \n 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892\n\n[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services](https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/)\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2012\/04\/red-itchy-rash)","attrs_readable_markdown":null,"meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

3 months ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	3.8 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/04/red-itchy-rash
Last Crawled	2025-12-23 17:30:03 (3 months ago)
First Indexed	not set
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Red, Itchy Rash? \| NIH News in Health
Meta Description	You’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it?
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Get the Skinny on Dermatitis You’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it? We often think of the skin as a barrier—it keeps the insides of our bodies in, and it keeps the outside world out. But our skin is also filled with special cells of the The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria and other microscopic threats. immune system . These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. Whenever these cells detect a suspicious substance, they begin a chain reaction in the skin that leads to Heat, swelling and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection. inflammation . The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. But it’s more commonly known as a rash. There are many different types of dermatitis, and each has a distinct set of treatments. Sometimes the skin’s immune cells react to something that directly touches the skin. Other times, the immune system flares in the skin because of a whole-body infection or illness. The symptoms of these different types of rashes often overlap. “Itching is a common symptom for all these problems,” says Dr. Stephen I. Katz, director of NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Many rashes are red, painful, and irritated. Some types of rash can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. While most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long lasting and need to be cared for over long periods of time. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash that affects up to 1 in 5 infants and young children. It often improves over time, although it can last into adulthood or start later in life. In this condition, the water-tight barrier between skin cells gets weak, which lets moisture out and other things in. That’s why people with atopic dermatitis have to moisturize their skin, and they’re more susceptible to skin infections. Researchers have recently identified specific Stretches of DNA, a substance you inherit from your parents, that define characteristics such as how likely you are to get certain diseases. genes that are involved in maintaining the skin barrier. People with certain versions of these genes are more likely to get atopic dermatitis. “The skin is the outermost sentinel for fighting off bacteria and noxious agents,” says Katz. “If the barrier is broken somehow, you can become more allergic to things.” A skin allergy, or allergic contact dermatitis, produces a red, itchy rash that sometimes comes with small blisters or bumps. The rash arises when the skin comes in contact with an allergen, a usually harmless substance that the immune system attacks. Allergens trigger allergic reactions. Allergens can come from certain soaps, creams and even pets. Your immune system might not react the first time you encounter an allergen. But over time, your immune system can become sensitive to the substance. As a result, your next contact may lead to inflammation and an allergic rash. “The most common form of dermatitis that is seen anywhere is an allergic contact dermatitis to nickel,” says Katz. “Why? Because of ear piercing.” Many inexpensive earrings are made of nickel, and over time, wearing nickel earrings can cause an allergic reaction to the metal. Other common causes of allergic dermatitis are poison oak and poison ivy. The stems and leaves of these plants produce a chemical that’s likely to cause allergies. If you touch one of them, wash your skin as soon as possible. The chemical can also remain in clothing for a long time, so it’s important to wash any clothes or shoes—or even pets—that come into contact with these plants. Mild cases of allergic contact dermatitis usually disappear after a few days or weeks. But if the rash persists, is extremely uncomfortable or occurs on the face, it’s important to see a physician. A doctor can prescribe medications that will tone down the immune reaction in the skin. This eases swelling and itching and will protect your eyes and face. The immune cells of the skin can also produce rashes when they react to invading germs—like bacteria, fungi and viruses. Bacterial and viral infections within your body can cause your skin to break out in spots as well. The chickenpox virus, for example, can cause itchy spots in children. Years later, in older adults, the same virus may reappear as shingles, bringing a painful rash and high fever. Vaccines can prevent several rash-causing diseases, including chickenpox, shingles and measles. Certain drugs, including antibiotics like amoxicillin, may also cause itchy skin rashes. If you’re allergic to a drug, a rash can be the first sign of a serious reaction. As with other allergies, a reaction to a drug may not occur the first time you take it. It could show up after several uses. Not all drug rashes are due to an allergy, however. If you break out in itchy spots after starting a new drug prescription, contact your doctor right away. While most rashes get better with time, some can last a lifetime. Psoriasis, a condition where skin cells build up into thick red patches, tends to run in families. “It’s a complex genetic disease, in that there’s not one gene that causes psoriasis but many,” says Katz. Even though none of these genes alone has a great effect on the disease, knowing which genes are involved can help researchers design potential new treatments. Other long-term diseases that can produce rashes include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and some forms of cancer. If you notice an itchy or painful rash on your skin, think twice before going to the drugstore and getting some cream if you don’t know the cause. “The creams that you buy can produce problems that make your original problem even worse,” Katz says. Because rashes can be caused by many different things—bacteria, viruses, drugs, allergies, genetic disorders, and even light—it’s important to figure out what kind of dermatitis you have. “If you have any significant rash, you should see a dermatologist,” says Katz. A dermatologist, or skin doctor, is specially trained to figure out what’s causing a rash and help you get the right treatment. Your skin is your protection. It’s not just the covering that keeps your body in; it’s also your first line of defense against germs and chemicals. Take care of your skin so your skin can take care of you.
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/04/red-itchy-rash#main-content) [![NIH News in Health](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/themes/custom/newsinhealth_uswds/images/nih-newsinhealth-logo.png)](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/ "NIH News in Health") A monthly newsletter from the National Institutes of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Search Menu Search Menu ## Site Menu - [Home](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/) - [Past Issues](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/past-issues/all) - [Special Collections](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/special-collections) - [En Español](https://salud.nih.gov/recursos-de-salud/nih-noticias-de-salud) - [Subscribe](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/subscribe) [April 2012](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/04) [Print this issue](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/2012/April/NIHNiHApr2012.pdf) # Red, Itchy Rash? Get the Skinny on Dermatitis [En español](https://salud.nih.gov/articulo/sarpullido-y-picazon/) [Send us your comments (link sends e-mail)](mailto:nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov) ![Illustration of a doctor examining a rash on a woman’s arm.](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/2012/April/illustration-doctor-examining-rash-womans-arm.jpg) You’ve probably had a rash at some point or another, whether from poison ivy or the chickenpox or something more unusual. Why does your skin break out in red blotches like that? More important, is there anything you can do about it? We often think of the skin as a barrier—it keeps the insides of our bodies in, and it keeps the outside world out. But our skin is also filled with special cells of the The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria and other microscopic threats. immune system. These cells protect the skin and body against viruses, bacteria and other threats. Whenever these cells detect a suspicious substance, they begin a chain reaction in the skin that leads to Heat, swelling and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection. inflammation. The medical name for this reaction is dermatitis. But it’s more commonly known as a rash. There are many different types of dermatitis, and each has a distinct set of treatments. Sometimes the skin’s immune cells react to something that directly touches the skin. Other times, the immune system flares in the skin because of a whole-body infection or illness. The symptoms of these different types of rashes often overlap. “Itching is a common symptom for all these problems,” says Dr. Stephen I. Katz, director of NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Many rashes are red, painful, and irritated. Some types of rash can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. While most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long lasting and need to be cared for over long periods of time. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash that affects up to 1 in 5 infants and young children. It often improves over time, although it can last into adulthood or start later in life. In this condition, the water-tight barrier between skin cells gets weak, which lets moisture out and other things in. That’s why people with atopic dermatitis have to moisturize their skin, and they’re more susceptible to skin infections. Researchers have recently identified specific Stretches of DNA, a substance you inherit from your parents, that define characteristics such as how likely you are to get certain diseases. genes that are involved in maintaining the skin barrier. People with certain versions of these genes are more likely to get atopic dermatitis. “The skin is the outermost sentinel for fighting off bacteria and noxious agents,” says Katz. “If the barrier is broken somehow, you can become more allergic to things.” A skin allergy, or allergic contact dermatitis, produces a red, itchy rash that sometimes comes with small blisters or bumps. The rash arises when the skin comes in contact with an allergen, a usually harmless substance that the immune system attacks. Allergens trigger allergic reactions. Allergens can come from certain soaps, creams and even pets. Your immune system might not react the first time you encounter an allergen. But over time, your immune system can become sensitive to the substance. As a result, your next contact may lead to inflammation and an allergic rash. “The most common form of dermatitis that is seen anywhere is an allergic contact dermatitis to nickel,” says Katz. “Why? Because of ear piercing.” Many inexpensive earrings are made of nickel, and over time, wearing nickel earrings can cause an allergic reaction to the metal. Other common causes of allergic dermatitis are poison oak and poison ivy. The stems and leaves of these plants produce a chemical that’s likely to cause allergies. If you touch one of them, wash your skin as soon as possible. The chemical can also remain in clothing for a long time, so it’s important to wash any clothes or shoes—or even pets—that come into contact with these plants. Mild cases of allergic contact dermatitis usually disappear after a few days or weeks. But if the rash persists, is extremely uncomfortable or occurs on the face, it’s important to see a physician. A doctor can prescribe medications that will tone down the immune reaction in the skin. This eases swelling and itching and will protect your eyes and face. The immune cells of the skin can also produce rashes when they react to invading germs—like bacteria, fungi and viruses. Bacterial and viral infections within your body can cause your skin to break out in spots as well. The chickenpox virus, for example, can cause itchy spots in children. Years later, in older adults, the same virus may reappear as shingles, bringing a painful rash and high fever. Vaccines can prevent several rash-causing diseases, including chickenpox, shingles and measles. Certain drugs, including antibiotics like amoxicillin, may also cause itchy skin rashes. If you’re allergic to a drug, a rash can be the first sign of a serious reaction. As with other allergies, a reaction to a drug may not occur the first time you take it. It could show up after several uses. Not all drug rashes are due to an allergy, however. If you break out in itchy spots after starting a new drug prescription, contact your doctor right away. While most rashes get better with time, some can last a lifetime. Psoriasis, a condition where skin cells build up into thick red patches, tends to run in families. “It’s a complex genetic disease, in that there’s not one gene that causes psoriasis but many,” says Katz. Even though none of these genes alone has a great effect on the disease, knowing which genes are involved can help researchers design potential new treatments. Other long-term diseases that can produce rashes include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and some forms of cancer. If you notice an itchy or painful rash on your skin, think twice before going to the drugstore and getting some cream if you don’t know the cause. “The creams that you buy can produce problems that make your original problem even worse,” Katz says. Because rashes can be caused by many different things—bacteria, viruses, drugs, allergies, genetic disorders, and even light—it’s important to figure out what kind of dermatitis you have. “If you have any significant rash, you should see a dermatologist,” says Katz. A dermatologist, or skin doctor, is specially trained to figure out what’s causing a rash and help you get the right treatment. Your skin is your protection. It’s not just the covering that keeps your body in; it’s also your first line of defense against germs and chemicals. Take care of your skin so your skin can take care of you. ### Wise Choices #### Call Your Doctor If … - Your rash is so uncomfortable or painful it interferes with daily activities or sleep. - The rash is on your face. - Your rash looks worrisome or seems infected. - You break out in a rash after taking a new medication. - Your rash lasts for several days. ### Find More Information - [Atopic Dermatitis](http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/default.asp) - [Contact Dermatitis](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000869.htm) - [Itchy, Scaly Skin?](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/08/itchy-scaly-skin) - [Psoriasis](http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Psoriasis/default.asp) - [Looking at Lupus](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2011/11/looking-lupus) - [Lupus](http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp) ### Featured Stories ![Illustration of four ways to stay safe from germs](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/styles/teaser_900x527/public/2022/January/jan2022-cover-illustration-four-ways-stay-safe-germs-cropped.jpg?itok=oMpNPoEg) [Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold?](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/01/it-flu-covid-19-allergies-or-cold) ![Illustration of a person breathing hard while using an indoor stationary bike.](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/styles/teaser_900x527/public/2024-10/page3-oct-2024-illustration-person-breathing-hard-while-biking-cropped.jpg?itok=cK1iiZl1) [Stopping Middle-Age Spread](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2024/10/stopping-middle-age-spread) ![Illustration of a mom holding a tablet while showing her daughter the kids outside, while the child rubs her eyes.](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/styles/teaser_900x527/public/2024-08/sep-2024-page3-illustration-mom-holding-tablet-while-showing-daughter-kids-outside-while-child-rubs-eyes-cropped.jpg?itok=i_Q1xece) [Tired, Achy Eyes?](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2024/09/tired-achy-eyes) ![Illustration of a group playing a board game at a community center.](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/sites/newsinhealth/files/styles/teaser_900x527/public/2024-06/jul-2024-cover-illustration-group-playing-board-game-community-center-cropped.jpg?itok=mAMZ0taY) [Buffering Childhood Stress](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2024/07/buffering-childhood-stress) [NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison](https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison) Health and Science Publications Branch Building 31, Room 5B52 Bethesda, MD 20892-2094 Contact Us: [nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov](mailto:nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov) Phone: 301-451-8224 Share Our Materials: Reprint our articles and illustrations in your own publication. 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