Rash on hands and feet

Rash actually represents a sign of many different illnesses which predominantly affect the skin. The skin affected by rash is red, blotchy and may swell. The skin changes which can additionally occur may be in a form of bumps, scaly or flaky changes and blisters filled with fluid or puss. Rash affects different parts of the skin and occurs either in distinctive pattern or it is scattered without any rule.

Rash on Hands

Hand rash affects only hands and may be caused by different conditions, some of which are skin conditions while others include several systemic conditions.

For example, hand rash affects people suffering from contact dermatitis. As the very name suggests this type of dermatitis occurs once the person touches something that initiates skin irritation. Chemicals found in detergents, soaps, different fragrances as well as certain plants (poison oak or ivy) may be potential culprits of contact dermatitis. Such condition can also affect people who have experienced animal bites or insect stings.

Allergy is another cause of hand rash. People may develop allergy to so many allergens. Some of them are food allergens (peanuts, shellfish, strawberries etc) while others include environmental allergens (dust, pollen etc) and animal allergens (dander, feather etc). Allergy to medications and mite or bacteria are also potential causes of hand rash.

And finally, hand rash may be one of many characteristics of skin disorders like psoriasis, impetigo and eczema as well as infectious illnesses including scabies, herpes, fungal infections etc.

Rash on Legs and Feet

Rash on legs and feet may affect the entire length of the lower extremities or remain localized only to certain parts. Similarly to hand rash, leg and feet rash develops due to a variety of medical conditions and diseases. It can also affect people of all ages starting with infants and ending with elderly individuals.

Leg and feet rash differs in appearance, extent and its severity. It is red and generally itchy although they may sometimes be white, purple or silver in color. The rash remains flat or becomes raised and covered with bumps and blisters or becomes scaly and flaky causing peeling of the superficial skin layers. While some people face feet and leg rash only on one portion of the lower extremity, others need to deal with scattered rash affecting several parts of the skin.

Similarly to hand rash leg and feet rash also occurs in people suffering from contact dermatitis (still to a lesser degree), allergies of different kind, autoimmune diseases, varicose veins and viral infections. Rash also affects patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Even a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis may cause rash on legs and feet.