In most cases, a rash is common and usually turns out to be harmless.
But an increase in monkey pox cases has meant that many Britons are extremely vigilant when it comes to new spots, lesions and blisters.
190 infections have been identified in the UK, and while the risk to the public remains low, experts have urged people to learn the key signs of the monkeypox rash.
As we head into the summer months and Brits spend more time outdoors, our skin can feel the impact.
dr Walayat Hussain, a spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists, previously said the skin has a “tricky topic to discuss without alarming people”.
“The skin is like the window to the body if you will, so sometimes that can be a sign that something is going on in the body,” he said.
Millions of Britons suffer from common conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.
While incredibly frustrating to live with, they pose no serious health risk.
However, experts have warned that severe rashes with similar symptoms can be disguised.
Read on to find out what could really be causing your rash symptoms…
1. Moisture Filled Spots That Get Crispy Later: Monkeypox
The first signs of monkey pox are fever, headache and muscle aches.
Monkpox rash usually starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
A rash will appear within three days of fever.
Ifti Khan, Well Pharmacy Superintendent, explains: “Monkeypox has different stages. The first develops into papules and fluid-filled pustules before they crust and fall off. Monkeypox lesions appear and develop at the same time.”
2. Red or Pink Spots All Over: Chickenpox
Last month, parents were warned of a dangerous outbreak of chickenpox and scarlet fever – with many families on high alert.
Experts say many common infections declined during the lockdown, but they are now circulating at higher levels, particularly in kindergartens and nurseries.
Mr Khan said: “Chickenpox and monkeypox are similar in the way they are spread, through close contact and respiratory droplets, as well as direct contact with contaminated objects, but monkeypox is much rarer and less likely to spread.”
One of the differences between monkeypox and chickenpox is that people with the latter usually will not experience swollen lymph nodes.
“Chickenpox usually forms in a different way.
“In a chickenpox rash, the spots do not develop uniformly and appear at different times,” he added.
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3. Red pinpricks with flu-like symptoms: meningitis
A red pinprick rash under the skin can indicate meningitis, a sometimes fatal condition.
The symptoms of meningitis are similar to the flu (high fever, stiff neck, headache, and drowsiness), and the rash may not always appear early.
It starts out as small, red pinpricks before spreading quickly and turning into red or purple spots, the NHS says.
You can check if you or your child has it by pressing a glass against the rash – if it doesn’t fade from pressure, it’s caused by meningitis.
It could be a sign of sepsis caused by meningitis and you should call 999 immediately.
All parents are told to vaccinate their babies against meningitis very early.
4. A blotchy red rash that can get scaly: lymphoma
Mycosis fungoides is a common rash in patients diagnosed with lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system – the network of tissues and organs in our body that work to rid us of toxins.
It can be particularly dangerous because the cancer cells in the bloodstream can travel throughout the body.
The cancer cells can then grow in several places at the same time and affect several parts of the body.
A person with lymphoma can develop mycosis fungoides, a rash caused when blood travels to the top layer of the skin.
In the early stages it may appear as a blotchy red rash, but as it progresses it tends to become scaly.
It can itch and resemble eczema.
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5. Small Red Spots Covering the Skin: Leukemia
Leukemia, a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream.
A person with leukemia may also develop small red spots on their skin called petechiae.
The rash is caused by broken blood vessels under the skin.
Children can also develop a rash called acute myeloid leukemia, which causes dark spots on the skin.
6. Red Spots UNDER the Skin: Blood Clotting Problems
If you notice purple spots under the skin, ranging in size from small dots to large spots, it could indicate a blood clotting disorder.
The rash is called purpura and can be caused by a low or high number of platelets – cells in the blood that cause clotting.
Examples of things that can cause this rash include weak blood vessels, scurvy, medications or vaccines, infection such as HIV or Hepatitis C, or any condition that is present from birth.
7. Reddish Rash On Your Hands Or Back: Any Cancer
Dermatomyositis usually occurs as changes around your nail folds, a reddish rash on the backs of your hands, especially around the knuckles, and a scarf-like red rash on your back.
This rash can be associated with any type of cancer.
It can also appear on your face, eyelids, chest, knees, and elbows.
Dermatomyositis can also cause muscle weakness and inflamed muscles.
8. Darker, Thicker Spots on the Skin: Cancer or Diabetes
Acanthosis nigricans is when dark, thickened patches of skin develop around the armpit, groin, and neck.
It is not a condition in itself, but a sign of an underlying health problem.
The patches are dry and rough, feel like velvet and may also itch.
Acanthosis nigricans usually develops slowly over time, but rapid spreading has been linked to cancer.
A dark spot (or band) of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean you have too much insulin in your blood – a sign of diabetes.
While diabetes isn’t fatal on its own, it comes with a number of serious complications, from heart attacks to amputations, so it’s vital to get diagnosed early.7
9. Purple rash with swelling, turning black: rotting flesh
An immediate medical problem, necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that causes the skin to “rot”.
Necrotizing fasciitis can start with a relatively minor injury, such as a small cut, which allows bacteria to enter the skin.
Symptoms usually come on suddenly and quickly.
The affected area swells and may show a purplish rash.
This leads to the formation of large dark spots that turn into pus-filled blisters. The wounds turn black as the tissue dies.
Just four or five days after the infection starts, a person can become seriously ill with dangerously low blood pressure and high temperature.
Even with treatment, it is estimated that up to two in five cases of necrotizing fasciitis end in death.
10. Widespread Rashes: Drug Allergy
A rash that covers a large area can be a sign of drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS) — when a drug causes an allergy. It may take a few weeks for DRESS to appear after you start a new medicine, and it may take a while even if you stop taking it.
Patients report a wide range of rashes – from blisters and lesions to eczema and facial swelling. DRESS can lead to problems with internal organs, which is why it is so serious. It can lead to multi-organ failure, or lead to lung disease, inflammation of the heart and seizures.
BUT… in most cases a rash is harmless
With rashes linked to so many serious illnesses, including cancer, Dr. Hussain is usually reassured: a rash is harmless.
“The most common cause of rashes is NOT cancer related. I think that’s a really important message to give to people,” he said.
“Basically, if there’s anything on your skin that worries you, see your doctor.”
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