Disturbed at the sight of red blisters all over your body? You are probably suffering from Vesicular Rashes. Know what is a Vesicular Rash, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Vesicular Rash Definition
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Vesicular Rashes are blisters that arise on the skin as a result of viral infection. It appears on almost all areas of the skin of human body. These rashes can also arise on skin regions where the mucous membrane is present.
The term “vesicular” comes from the Latin word “vesiculum” meaning “small bag”or bladder. Vesicular Rash owes its name to the fact that it is characterized by the appearance of vesicles or sacs on the body.
Vesicular Rash Location
Vesicular Rashes can appear on almost any region of the skin. One can see Vesicular Rash on hands, Vesicular Rash on legs and Vesicular Rash on face. In some cases of Vesicular Rash mouth is also affected, due to the presence of mucous membrane in the area. The Buccal Mucosa or lining of the mouth is affected in such situations. In Vesicular Rash trunk area is filled with red blisters.
Vesicular Rash Symptoms
The major symptoms of this disease include :
Rashes
The disease is mainly marked by the appearance of small rashes on the body. As aforementioned, they can arise on almost any part of the skin.
Itchiness
The rashes are usually very itchy. When scratched, they can leave scars on the skin. Itchy Vesicular Rash is quite common.
Fluids
The rashes appear as elevated sacs on the skin. The elevation is due to the fact that they contain serous fluids.
Headache
Vesicular Rashes arising out of Herpes Zoster are accompanied with headache in sufferers.
Fever
If the affected person is suffering from Dermatophytid, there may also be Vesicular Rash with fever. Dermatophytid is an allergic reaction of the body to fungus infection. Vesicular Rash and fever is common in Dermatophytid patients.
Malaise
In rashes arising due to Herpes Zoster, patients also experience a physical discomfort that may involve depression.
Pain
The rashes are also quite painful in some cases. Pain lasts until the rashes completely subside.
Change in Color
In some cases, the rashes change color and become cloudy or darkened in appearance. This happens in the advanced stages when the sacs are filled with blood.
Crusts
In the later stages, crusts or scales form over the vesicles. These eventually fall off after sometime and the skin starts to heal from that point of time.
Vesicular Rash Causes
Vesicular Rash can result from a number of factors such as :
Herpes Zoster
In many patients of Vesicular Rash Herpes Zoster is found to be the main causative condition. Herpes Zoster or Shingles is a severe viral infection caused by Herpes Varicella Zoster virus. It leads to swelling of the sensory ganglia of certain nerves in the skull or spine. This is accompanied by an eruption of blisters along the affected nerve path. It generally attacks only one side of the human body. Acute neuralgia is also often seen to arise with this condition.
Impetigo
This is an acute skin infection that is characterized by development of small blisters on localized areas of the skin. Eventually, a crust forms over the blisters and the skin starts to heal by itself when they fall off. The condition is usually very contagious. It is a common disease in children.
Contact Dermatitis
This is an allergic reaction of the skin that develops sometime after the skin comes in contact with a particular allergen such as Poison Ivy.
Eczema
This is a well-know inflammatory skin condition that leads to the formation of vesicles on the body in severe stages.
Chicken Pox
Picture 1 – Chicken Pox
Source – blogspot
This contagious disease results from Herpes Zoster viral infection. It leads to the formation of vesicles on the face and body. In many cases of Vesicular Rash viral infection is the causative agent.
Lyme Disease
If you have Vesicular Rash Lyme Disease can also be a factor. Lyme Disease is a severe inflammatory disease marked by rashes, swelling of joints and fever. It is generally caused by tick-borne bacteria. In such cases of Vesicular Rash joints swell and may even give rise to pain.
Vesicular Rash in Pregnancy
Vesicular Rashes an also appear in pregnant women. When pregnant women suffer from Vesicular Rash Varicella-Zoster virus infection is generally found to be the reason. A Varicella infection can lead to symptoms like fever, mylagia and malaise in patients before the onset of rash. This is however more common in mothers a week or two after delivery.
Chicken pox can also be a reason behind Vesicular Rashes during pregnancy.
Vesicular Rash in Children
Picture 2 – Vesicular Rash In Children
Source – ganfyd
Children are often seen to suffer from Vesicular Rashes. Contact Dermatitis, Chickenpox and Impetigo are some of the diseases that lead to this disorder in kids.
Vesicular Rash Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Vesicular Rash begins with a naked eye observation. If the doctor suspects a viral infection, blood tests need to be carried out. This helps detect any bacterial or viral presence in the bloodstream.
Skin disorders can be detected with the aid of skin biopsies. Examination of froze skin tissues help determine if there is an infectious condition behind the disease.
Skin biopsies can also be performed if the patient is suspected to have a skin disorder. A small part of skin is removed after an anesthetic injection and a microscopic analysis is carried out on it to detect any skin disorder.
Vesicular Rash Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of Vesicular Rash aims at distinguishing the disease from other ailments like Smallpox, Penis Herpes, Scabies or Herpes Zoster.
Vesicular Rash Treatment
The treatment of Vesicular Rash usually involves curing the causative condition of the disorder. If Vesicular Rashes are found to result from Herpes Zoster, the cause is treated first. An effective treatment of Herpes Zoster helps is complete removal of the rashes.
Herpes Zoster is usually treated with steroidal medicines. Antiviral drugs are used to cure the viral infection which is the root cause of Herpes Zoster disease. Analgesics are administered to provide patients with temporary relief from pain.
Vesicular Rash Pictures
Want to make sure whether you are having Vesicular Rashes yourself? Here are some useful Vesicular Rash photos. Check out these Vesicular Rash images and find out if you are really having this condition.
Picture 3 – Vesicular Rash Picture
Source – medscape
Picture 4 – Vesicular Rash Photo
Source – epocrates
Vesicular Rash is not a very serious condition in itself. But in most cases, it is a sign of some severe infection or complicated health condition. So it is better to start treatment at the earliest signs of this disorder. Early treatment will ensure a fast recovery from the disease with minimal pain and discomfort. It will also help you avoid any future health complications.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster
http://www.himalayahomeremedies.com/healthcare/rash.html
http://www.wellness.com/reference/allergies/skin-rash/symptoms-and-causes
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5991
http://en.diagnosispro.com/differential_diagnosis-for/vesicular-rash/33779-154.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/vesicular_rash.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/235213-overview
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/788310-overview
