You’ve broken out in a red, itchy rash. You’re likely wondering where it came from—and, most importantly, how to make it go away.
Unfortunately, your mystery rash could have many causes. Maybe you switched to a new detergent or accidentally brushed against poison ivy. Maybe it came from a virus or fungus. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause.
Red, uncomfortable skin rashes are called dermatitis. “When we use the term dermatitis, all we really mean is skin inflammation,” says Dr. Brian Kim, a dermatologist at Washington University in St. Louis.
Our skin is a barrier, serving as the first line of defense against the outside world. It is filled with immune cells. These cells actively fight against viruses, bacteria, and other invaders. If a foreign substance is detected, immune cells start a chain reaction to neutralize the threat. This, in turn, causes inflammation….