In the summer months, you might notice your skin turning red and blotchy, or find yourself covered in itchy red bumps and wonder what caused them. These symptoms could be , or one of any number of . Rashes when you're spending outside in nice weather are more common, Dr.
Carolyn Jacob, a Chicago-based, board-certified dermatologist, tells TODAY.com. They can be caused by the sun, sweating in high temperatures, bites from insects, brushing up against certain plants, or even an allergic reaction to a new body lotion.
In many cases, some over-the-counter ointment will do the trick. Other times, seeing a doctor will help your skin health much faster. But how do you know when to worry about a rash in adults? Here are some tips to help you identify when your skin rash is a sign of something more serious.
The first thing to look out for is experiencing symptoms in addition to the rash. While most rashes do not indicate anything fatal, feeling sick in addition should prompt you to see a doctor or other health care professional, Dr. Daniela Kroshinsky, director of inpatient and pediatric dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells TODAY.
com. That's because rashes can be caused by serious medical problems, especially autoimmune conditions or Lyme disease, Dr. Laura Ferris, professor of dermatology at University of Pittsburgh, tells TODAY.
com — although you'll probably find that it was caused something much less serious. Contact your primary care provider or dermatologist to .
