Redness of Arm

Arms | Dermatology | Redness of Arm (Symptom)


Description

Arm redness is an erythema due to inflammatory changes in the arm.

Causes

An arm rash can have a variety of causes, and it may indicate something occurring around the arm itself or suggest a systemic (body-wide) condition. Contact dermatitis (skin inflammation) is caused by an adverse reaction to something that touches the skin, including chemicals found in detergent, soap or a fragrance. Other forms of contact dermatitis include exposure to certain plants, such as poison oak or ivy, an animal bite, or an insect sting.

Lyme disease is caused by tick bite and can first appear as a circle with a bull’s-eye pattern, then progress to a rash. Allergies to food and medications are potentially serious sources of rash. Peanuts, shellfish, strawberries and avocados are just some of the foods that can trigger allergic reactions. Rashes may also be associated with skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and impetigo. Some of these are chronic skin conditions that may flare up for a time, then resolve.

Other causes for rash include autoimmune disorders that occur when the body is attacked by its own immune system, which normally serves to protect it from foreign invaders (antigens). Many viruses that occur during flu season or those associated with childhood diseases, such as chickenpox or measles, can produce rash.

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