Rashes are a pain. But what causes them and how do you treat them? The most COMMON rash is called dermatitis. It's caused by a reaction to irritants like soaps, latex, clothing dyes, and poison ivy. Usually, the skin will become irritated, swollen and itchy, but bad attacks can cause the skin to OOZE or blister. Dermatitis can usually be treated with over-the-counter creams with hydrocortisone or steroids. Avoid triggers in the future to KEEP it gone. Allergic reactions can also appear as hives or welt-like marks. They last from a few MINUTES to a few DAYS. They often go away on their own and antihistamines can help fight the reaction and keep it from spreading. ECZEMA, another common rash, appears as scaly, itchy patches usually on your arms and in the backs of your legs. The exact cause is BELIEVED to be a combination of really dry skin, a long-term reaction to irritants , and an imbalance of the immune system. Depending on severity, treatment includes prescription creams or pills, antibiotics to prevent infected wounds, or in rare cases medications that work with your immune system to prevent reactions. Good skin hydration therapy is the best thing you can do to prevent flare-ups. This includes limited bathing and soap use, and aggressive moisturizer application to WET skin. PSORIASIS is another condition that plagues many people. This is an inherited disease that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in built-up skin that looks like white, red or silvery patches. Outbreaks most often show up on the knees, elbows, lower back, and your scalp. There's no cure, and mild cases can be treated and prevented with products found at the drugstore. Look for creams and ointments that contain salicylic acid, which can help take off old skin cells, and coal tar, which slows the growth of new ones. Moisturize skin daily with a heavy cream or lotion to help heal and reduce itching. Treatment should be monitored by a dermatologist-we have many treatments for it, ranging from creams to injections and even lasers. If you get a rash on your chest and back that began with one or two larger, scaly red patches, chances are you have Pityriasis Rosea. These markings are believed to be caused by a virus and typically fade on their own within about 8 weeks. Topical steroid treatments can help with the itch, and sometimes antibiotics can clear the rash faster. If you're ever unsure about a rash, see your doctor. Early treatment is the best way to keep it from spreading. For more great skin tips, check out the rest of the videos in this series.