Rashes are extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable. A rash might be caused by multiple reasons like itchy skin and bacterial or fungal infections which gradually spread. These rashes may appear on your face, neck, abdomen, arms, legs or pelvic areas. To get rid of a rash of any kind, here are some good, natural home remedies for you.
What Causes Rashes?
A rash mainly changes the color, texture and appearance of the skin. It can also be irritated, itchy and painful. Rashes can be fully in one part of the body or affect the whole skin. There are many causes of rashes, including drug reactions, digestive system disorders, thyroid problems and certain cancers, shingles, hay fever, flea bites and so on.
1. Drug Reactions
Sometimes, prescribed medications create allergic reactions, and these prescribed medications are also responsible for creating rashes in the body or a particular part of the body. These medications contain topical antifungal drugs and ingested drugs like clotrimazole and fluconazole, and so on. Besides these, chemotherapy drugs are also responsible for creating rashes on the skin.
2. Thyroid Problems
Thyroid hormones are mainly created by the thyroid gland. These thyroid hormones create Graves’dermopathy, which is known as a widespread skin rash. This problem mainly increases when the thyroid gland is attacked by the immune system of the body.
3. Digestive System Disorders
Digestive system disorders are also responsible for creating rashes on the skin. This mainly consists of celiac disease and anemia which are related to kidney problems and iron deficiency. As these problems will increase in the body, you will face more problems on the skin like rashes and other skin diseases.
4. Immune System Cancers
Immune system cancers hamper the immune system of your body like lymphoma and leukemia. These two immune systems create rashes in the whole body or on a small section of your body. Those who are suffering from lymphoma and leukemia have small red rashes on the body which will also increase the itching problem in the body.
5. Shingles
Shingles is an infection which is mainly caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus also creates red rashes which cause pain in the skin and also burns the skin. Shingles primarily affect the nose, torso and face.
6. Hay Fever
Another name for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. Though it is not a virus, it creates rashes in the whole body or a particular part of the body. It also creates irritation in the skin. There are symptoms of hay fever like watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion.
20 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of a Rash Fast
1. Take a Bath
Oatmeal baths can soothe a rash and itching skin. The gluten present in oatmeal has moisturizing characteristics, and it can coat your skin when you bathe in it. The protective coating might help to calm the rash and reduce the itchiness. You will find colloidal oatmeal bath packs in most drug stores.
Directions:
- Mix one oatmeal packet with warm water into your bathtub. Soak yourself in this solution for 20 minutes.
- Adding baking soda with the water will also help to soothe rashes. If you are sensitive to colloidal oatmeal, then you should try having a bath in a solution of baking soda.
- Add a cup of baking soda into a bathtub full of warm water. Soak your body in the solution for half an hour.
2. Lavender or Peppermint Oil
Essential oils like peppermint or lavender could help treat your rashes effectively. The oils come from different parts of trees or plants, including seeds, fruits, flowers, bark/stem and roots.
Directions:
- Add five or six drops of peppermint oil or lavender oil to some warm water.
- Add this water to your bath water.
- Soak in the bathtub for about half an hour.
3. Neem Leaves
Neem leaves are very effective if you want to get rid of a rash which occurs for various reasons. It is effective because it possesses medicinal properties.
Directions:
- Crush some neem leaves and make a paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected rash area of your skin.
- Keep it on for half an hour.
Another option is putting fresh neem leaves into the water you will be using to bathe.
4. Cucumber
Cucumbers are natural coolers. They cool the surface of your skin, making it the perfect element to put on your face when you have a rash. They can be used to get rid of the biggest rash.
Directions:
- Place a cucumber in the fridge for about two hours.
- Cut a few slices and put them on the affected areas of your skin.
5. Holy Basil Leaves
Holy basil or tulsi leaves help to treat rash conditions and make the skin’s surface smooth again. It helps to address the allergic reactions of rashes, both inside and outside the body, by boosting your immunity system and protecting the skin from free radicals.
Directions:
- Take 15 basil leaves, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, pepper and salt.
- Mix these and make a paste.
- Apply this paste to the rash.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains lauric acid which makes it antifungal and anti-viral. The lauric acid helps to get rid of rashes overnight and infections that might become rashes later. It relieves you of itching caused by the irritating rashes as well. Apply coconut oil, extra-virgin variety, all over the affected area. Repeat this three times a day.
7. Diaper Rash Cream
If you want a speedy recovery, you should try Diaper Rash creams. You can use these creams to prevent rashes before they develop. For the rashes caused by diapers in children, these diaper rash creams may be applied after wiping the area thoroughly clean.
We advise you to consult your doctor if the rash gets worse or becomes infected. That way, you can find the precise cause and get proper treatment for it.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps to get rid of a rash naturally. It has antibacterial properties which could help relieve the rash. It can be thinned with water. Carefully dab on the irritated skin with a cotton ball soaked in the solution. You can rinse the vinegar off with clean water after ten minutes. Do this several times every day.
9. Anacardium Orientale
This medication is really useful for those rashes especially caused by exposure to poison ivy. It will help a lot with the itchiness and the swelling, along with blisters filled with liquid.
10. Baking Soda
Baking soda relieves rashes, itching and inflammation on the skin associated with rashes. Just mix baking soda with water and make a milky paste. Spread the paste over the affected area. Then, rinse after 5 minutes. Do this once a day for best results. Just don’t leave it on too long.
11. Aloe Vera or Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera is one of the very best natural remedies for all kinds of skin rashes. It will soothe your skin and heals itching fast. The best solution is to peel the gel naturally. Just massage it on the itchy areas. When it dries, wash with lukewarm water. You should use it until all the itching is gone.
12. Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion helps to calm and soothe your rash, particularly if the rash is from poison oak, poison ivy, insect bites or poison sumac. You could buy calamine lotion in a drugstore without any prescriptions.
Apply calamine lotion on the affected skin twice every day, or as the packaging directs you.
13. Arnica Ointment
Try applying some arnica ointment to the rash. Arnica ointment can help soothe your rash only hours after you apply it to the rash. This natural remedy has been used for a long time to treat rashes. Just follow the pack’s instructions before using. Ensure that the ointment has 15% arnica oil or less. Otherwise, it can cause skin irritation. You will find it in drugstores or in the natural section of super-shops.
14. Oatmeal and Warm Water
One really good home remedy for eczema and inflammation is oatmeal mixed with warm water which speeds up skin healing. Blend a tablespoon of oatmeal with the same amounts of cottage cheese or yogurt and water and then make a paste. Keep the blend on for thirty minutes once per day.
15. Cold Compress
A cold compress can help with heat-related rashes, insect bites, poison ivy and shingles. Place ice cubes in a cloth and apply to the affected area. Never place directly on the skin. For best results, you have to do it twice daily.
16. Olive Oil
Using olive oil is extremely easy. Mix olive oil with honey and put it directly on the skin. The rash will be reduced quite a bit. Olive oil has other good effects. It will make your skin elastic and supple. You can repeat the treatment 3-4 times a day. Wash the paste after it dries out.
17. Chamomile
Chamomile is the most resourceful plant against skin diseases like rashes. This flower has antibacterial properties which relieve the itching and soothe irritated skin as well. Just soak a cotton ball into some lukewarm chamomile tea and put it on the rash for about twenty to thirty minutes. Because this is really gentle to the itchy and irritated skin, it is appropriate for the treatment and healing of rashes on children.
18. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a strong anti-inflammatory element. Use it to get rid of a rash. It will relieve your rash and itching from contact with poisonous plants, insect bites and diaper rashes. Just purchase an ointment from the nearest pharmacy and apply the ointment several times a day on the affected areas.
19. Marigold
Marigold combats dry skin and eczema. You get its full effect when you massage it over the affected skin. No matter if the rash is on your legs, feet or around the genitalia, use marigold to treat it. Just add some drops of marigold tincture added to the bath water. It brings quick relief to rashes and soothes your skin.
20. Do Not Scratch
You should avoid scratching the rash. Scratching will make your skin susceptible to infections, turning a simple rash into skin disease and wounds.
There are things you need to remember. Continualirritated skin might also be an indication of chronic illness such as eczema or hepatitis. If your rashes last and resist the above-mentioned remedies, you should consult a doctor. We can only tell you how to get rid of a minor rash or medium level rash. These home remedies are a good alternative to ointments to combat rashes.