Diagnosing Your Skin Rash

You’ve probably had skin rashes before and should they reappear, you probably already know what they are, what caused them and how you should treat them.  In a lot of cases, skin rashes really don’t present any problems and should not be something to worry about.  Although a self-diagnosis will usually work (often by comparing your symptoms to those listed in medical resources), it may not always suffice.  Here are some things you need to know about diagnosing skin rashes: How your skin rash gets diagnosed:

Other than a visual assessment of your skin rash, there are several types of tests your doctor can use to diagnose a skin rash.  These include:

Visual check-up

The very first step that your doctor will perform to diagnose your skin rash is to check it visually.  He will then assess it to determine its characteristics, size, location and appearance.  He will then compare these with the known symptoms of certain conditions and diseases.

Your medical history

The next step your doctor will take to diagnose a skin rash is to ask you regarding your medical history.  Or, if you already have a record with him, to review it.  This will help determine if you have a family history of the condition (which will help identify it if it runs in your family) or if you have already experienced the condition before. 

Your medical history will also help check your intake of certain drugs and medications.  Some skin rashes are caused by an allergy to a drug or some of its components or they could be a side effect.

Skin biopsy

A sample of your skin is taken, either on the afflicted area itself or the surrounding area.  In most cases, several samples are taken.  These are usually painless since special instruments designed for this purpose are used.  At the very least, all you will feel is a slight discomfort, nothing more. 

The skin samples are then taken to a laboratory to be tested for indicators that will reveal what the causes of the skin rash may be.

Blood test

A blood test may also be required, depending on your case or the doctor’s recommendation.  Blood will be drawn from you (the process is quick and generally painless), taken to a laboratory and tested for certain antibodies that may have already been manufactured by your body to fight off an infection or a disease. 

Allergy test

In case your doctor suspects an allergic reaction, he may also order an allergy test to be given to you, as a means to help diagnose a skin rash.  A solution containing a milder form of the allergen (sometimes proteins, as in the case of viral infections) will be injected underneath your skin.  The injection is shallow, meant only to obtain a reaction from you.  If your skin reacts to a substance, that’s usually a good indication that you have an allergy to that material.

When to see a medical practitioner

To be on the safe side, always see your medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis of skin rashes that:

- change color or darken

- begin to spread

- won’t go away with simple treatments

- seem to worsen

- begin to ooze with fluids

- begin to bleed

- causes pain

Your doctor can diagnose your skin rash, make the proper assessments and tests and prescribe you with the right treatment and medication.

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