About Rash Evaluation and Treatment Services:
Rashes are frustrating precisely because so many look alike. The redness and itch that scream “allergy” might be an infection, and the “eczema” that won’t respond to steroid cream might be something else entirely.
At Charleston Dermatology, our physicians and providers diagnose rashes by pattern, location, history, and when needed, testing—a skin scraping, culture, patch test, or biopsy. The right treatment follows the right diagnosis, not the other way around.
Treatment plans are built around your skin and may include prescription topicals, oral medications, allergy evaluation, or simply reassurance and the correct skincare when a rash will resolve on its own. Relief starts with knowing what you’re treating. Schedule a visit and let our team figure it out with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a dermatologist about a rash?
Come in if a rash lasts more than two weeks, keeps returning, spreads quickly, blisters, involves the face or genitals, or comes with fever, pain, or feeling unwell (seek immediate care for those last ones). Also come in if an over the counter treatment isn’t working — that’s often a sign the diagnosis needs a second look.
What are the most common causes of rashes?
The usual suspects include eczema, contact dermatitis (allergic or irritant reactions), heat rash, hives, fungal infections like ringworm, psoriasis, and viral rashes. Medications can also cause rashes, sometimes weeks after starting them. Each looks subtly different to a trained eye, and each is treated differently.
How are rashes diagnosed and treated?
Most rashes can be diagnosed on exam, but when the picture isn’t clear, quick in-office tests — a scraping to check for fungus, a swab, patch testing, or a small biopsy — give a definitive answer. Treatment then targets the actual cause, whether that’s an anti-inflammatory, an antifungal, an antihistamine, or trigger avoidance. Skip the guessing game and let us take a look!