[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/rash-or-psoriasis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/rash-or-psoriasis\/","headline":"Rash or Psoriasis? How to Tell","name":"Rash or Psoriasis? How to Tell","description":"Rashes are common, and can be caused by many things. But, how do you know if you have just a minor rash, or if it\u2019s something more serious — like psoriasis? Rash A rash is anything that involves changes in the color or texture of the skin. It often starts\u00a0quickly and is very itchy.\u00a0Also referred […]","datePublished":"2013-12-12","dateModified":"2022-05-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/12292017BLG_SCABIES.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/12292017BLG_SCABIES.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/rash-or-psoriasis\/","about":["Skin Care"],"wordCount":232,"keywords":["Clinical Trials at the Department of Dermatology","dermatitis","dermatologist","dermatology","inflammation","Laura Ferris MD PhD","poison ivy","poison oak","poison sumac","primary care physician","psoriasis","rash","scales","skin lesions","skin redness","University of Pittsburgh"],"articleBody":"Rashes are common, and can be caused by many things. But, how do you know if you have just a minor rash, or if it\u2019s something more serious — like psoriasis?RashA rash is anything that involves changes in the color or texture of the skin. It often starts\u00a0quickly and is very itchy.\u00a0Also referred to as dermatitis, skin redness or inflammation or skin lesions, rashes\u00a0can often be determined from its visible characteristics and other symptoms.Common causes of rashes include:Chemicals in elastic, latex, and rubber products.Cosmetics, soaps, and detergents.Dyes and other chemicals in clothing.Poison ivy, oak, or sumac.PsoriasisPsoriasis may be passed down through families, but is not contagious. The main symptom of the condition is irritated, red, flaky patches of skin, called scales. Scales are most often seen on the elbows, knees, and middle of the body, but can appear anywhere including the scalp.If you have psoriasis, your skin may be:Itchy, but sometimes may not be.Dry and covered with silver, flaky skin (scales).Pink-red in color (like the color of salmon).Raised and thick.Psoriasis worsens in the fall and winter months.\u00a0 If you think\u00a0your skin condition is\u00a0more than just a common rash and may be psoriasis, visit your PCP or dermatologist.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 12, 2013, and was last reviewed on May 25, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2013","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Rash or Psoriasis? How to Tell","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/rash-or-psoriasis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]