Although skin rash may occur anywhere on the body, the abdominal skin may be a common site for certain conditions and infectious diseases. The current article provides information about some such conditions as well as a few home remedies to deal with the itchy rash.
Skin rash is a common outcome of allergies and certain skin infections, and can develop on any part of the body. Most commonly, these are found on the legs, hands, and neck. But in some cases, the upper torso as well as the abdomen and lower back, may develop an itchy rash.
Given below is a brief account of some conditions that cause itchy rash on the stomach, followed by the available treatment options and a few home remedies.
Causes Allergies and Eczema
Allergies are said to be one of the most probable causes of an itchy rash. The different types of allergic conditions that may give rise to an itchy rash on the stomach have been described below.
Contact Dermatitis: This refers to the development of rashes due to contact with irritants. In case of stomach rash, the irritant might be garments, waist belts, chemicals in body lotions and creams, etc. Such a rash will generally subside when contact with the particular irritant is avoided.
Atopic Dermatitis: Certain individuals are more susceptible to rash formation on exposure to several household substances. This condition of easy development of itchy rashes and bruises is known as atopic dermatitis, and is more commonly called eczema. It usually appears on the arms and legs, but may be develop on the stomach area as well.
In addition to these, certain food stuffs and medicines may also lead to the formation itchy rash on the body, including the abdominal skin.
Infections
Skin infections account for several cases of itchy rash development, and some of them show characteristic bumps and lesions on the abdominal region. These include staph infections, scabies, and certain fungal infections.
Impetigo: This is a type of skin infection, that occurs due to the notorious bacterium belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. It is characterized by development of tiny lesions on the limbs and abdomen. It is commonly found in children, and spreads quickly amongst them due to lack of good hygiene. It is rarely seen in adults.
Pityriasis rosea: This type of skin rash generally begins with infections in the upper respiratory tract, followed by development of a characteristic patch called ‘herald patch’ on the abdomen. 1 – 2 weeks after this, rash may develop all over the body. It may be accompanied with fever, fatigue, and nausea. Although the cause for this condition is not clear, it has been associated with viral infections, especially HHV-7 (Human herpesvirus 7) infection.
Hot tub rash: Pseudomonas infection that often results from bathing in contaminated spas, hot tubs, steam parlors, or even swimming pools is known as hot tub rash or pseudomonas follicutlitis. The commonly affected body parts include the chest, abdomen, back as well as upper arms.
Scabies: Scabies is the result of tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei, which enter the outer layer of the skin, and then lay eggs under it. This gives rise to small, red lesions, which are extremely itchy, especially at night. They may also lead to blistering of the affected skin. Along with the stomach, scabies rashes are also commonly found on the legs and feet.
Fungal infections, may also be one of the reasons for stomach rash, but are not so common. This is because they are not highly contagious, and therefore are not transmitted easily through direct contact with people or pets. Other causes can be mumps, rubella, roseola, measles, shingles, and scarlet fever.
Stretch Marks
Stretching of the skin often occurs in pregnant women as well as in obese individuals, resulting in the formation of stretch marks on the stomach. This is accompanied by dryness and itching of the abdominal skin. Pregnant women may also observe the formation of a dark line that extends below the belly button. This is termed as linea nigra, and is the result of hormonal changes leading to excessive pigmentation. It may or may not itch, and generally fades away after pregnancy.
Psoriasis
This is a chronic disease that has been associated with an overreaction of the immune system, leading to skin inflammation and rash formation. Psoriasis is not only confined to an itchy rash on the stomach, but may also occur on other parts of the body, including the abdominal region.
Treatment
The exact treatment for an itchy rash on the stomach can be determined only when a skin specialist diagnoses the condition and finds out the exact reason behind it. For infections, antifungal or antibacterial creams (whichever is applicable) are mostly prescribed; whereas antiviral treatment is administered in case of viral infections, along with medicines for reducing fever. In case of allergies, symptomatic treatment to alleviate the rash, as well as avoiding the use/intake of the irritant and allergic substance is the only option.
A few home remedies that may help to alleviate the rash, and provide relief from the itching and burning sensation are as follows.
- Mix 2 tbsp. dried parsley leaves and 2 tbsp. sandalwood powder, and add a few drops of rose water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the rash, and rinse off when completely dry.
- Prepare a smooth paste using 2 tbsp. cornstarch and water, and apply it on the rash. Allow it to dry for 30 minutes, and rinse off with cold water.
- Apply aloe vera gel on the affected part of the skin, to deal with the burning sensation. Rinse with cold water after 15 – 20 minutes.
- Add half a cup of vinegar to a glass of cold water, and stir well. Dip a soft cloth in this diluted vinegar solution, and place it on the rash for 5 minutes. Rinse the cloth and repeat the procedure 2 – 3 times.
Itchy rash on stomach may be a simple skin irritation due to a particular garment, or may be a manifestation of a serious infection. Nonetheless, proper medical intervention at the earliest is necessary to understand the precise cause, and ensure appropriate treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
