When to Seek Treatment for a Rash

A rash is any area of skin that’s itchy, inflamed, irritated, or bumpy. Most of the time, rashes are mild and clear up over the course of a few days with conservative at-home treatments. 

However, sometimes a rash can be a sign of a more serious health condition such as an infection or an allergic reaction. In these cases, professional (and sometimes immediate) medical care is needed. 

Because it can sometimes be tricky to tell when a rash needs a healthcare provider’s attention, our primary care team at San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, wants to highlight key indicators that your rash needs expert-level treatment. 

Symptoms of severe rashes

If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care for your rash:

You have a fever

If you have a fever along with a rash, it could indicate a severe allergic reaction or an infection such as herpes or scarlet fever. A fever could also mean the rash itself is infected. But no matter the underlying cause, if your rash is accompanied by a fever, seek medical care quickly. 

Your rash is widespread

A rash that spreads to other parts of your body is a symptom of many serious health conditions, including shingles, drug allergies, and cellulitis. If the rash is over your entire body, it could indicate you have Lyme disease. All of these conditions require immediate care to avoid serious health complications. 

Your rash is blistering and painful

Most rashes are itchy, but if the rash site is also painful and blistering, it may mean you have an infection like shingles, chickenpox, or genital herpes. These are all serious health conditions that require antibiotic or antiviral treatment. 

Your rash also has purple patches or bruises

Large purple patches or areas that resemble bruises around your rash can indicate a severe allergic reaction or serious health conditions such as vasculitis or deep vein thrombosis, all of which need medical care. 

Get expert-level treatment for your rash

If you notice any of these symptoms along with your rash, don’t delay seeking treatment with our San Feliz Urgent Care team. We can perform numerous tests including blood tests and imaging tests to identify what’s causing your rash and provide an effective treatment plan. 

To schedule an appointment with our team for severe (or even mild) rash symptoms, simply call our office at 818-296-0201 or use our online booking feature today.