Skin Rash on Your Face?

Natural Tips for Healing Face Rashes

Anyone who has experienced a skin rash on face, neck or shoulder areas knows what an embarrassing problem these types of breakouts can be.

Fortunately, rashes aren’t a problem you have to live with forever. Find out how to be well on your way to clear, rash-free skin!

While some rashes can easily be covered with clothing or accessories when they pop up, it’s not quite as easy to take the same approach with a facial rash! Facial rashes can also be quite painful, since the skin on our face and neck tends to be more sensitive.

The method you use in going about treating your rash will depend on a few factors. The type of rash you have, what’s causing it to begin with, and your unique skin type all play a role in what’s going to be the most effective treatment method for you.

Types of Facial Rashes

The term, “rash” can apply to a variety of skin conditions. For this reason, there is no specific applicable information when it comes to treating a rash on face, since the rash itself will vary by type. There are a few common types of rashes that can appear on the face, neck and shoulder areas -

• Acne - Acne typically pops up on the face, neck and upper back, though it can appear on other parts of the body as well. It takes the form of pustules such as whiteheads and blackheads and can often cause moderate to severe scarring.
• Rosacea - Rosacea causes redness and flushing of the skin and can also appear with acne-like sores.
• Psoriasis - Psoriasis is characterized by red, itchy skin and can often cause scaly sores. See what psoriasis looks like.
• Heat Rash - Heat rash occurs when perspiration becomes trapped within pores underneath the skin’s surface, causing red, inflamed bumps.
• Eczema - Eczema is a chronic skin rash that causes scaly, itchy rashes and sometimes blisters as well. It is common, though not exclusive, among those with asthma.
• Dry Sensitive Skin - Flaky, sensitive, irritated skin that is dry is sometimes caused by simple factors like a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet, or overuse of hot water or dehydration. See our Dry Sensitive Skin page for more tips on how to naturally hydrate your skin.
• Hives on Face - Hives are swollen, red bumps on the skin that pop up suddenly. There are many possible causes for hives.
• Allergic Reaction - Sometimes a rash can appear as the result of an allergic reaction to a fabric, food, skin care product or other environmental element. See our Common Allergies section for more.
• Broken Capillaries on Face – These can be caused by nutritional deficiencies and can be treated naturally. See our page on Natural Skincare for Broken Capillaries on the Face.

What’s Causing Your Face Rash?

There are a number of triggers that could be causing a rash on face. Some types of facial rashes are brought on by allergic reactions. Others are caused by environmental elements – poison ivy, for example. Even the soap you use can wreak havoc on your skin. Consider these questions when determining what it is that might be causing your rash on face.

• Have I switched cleansers lately or added a new skin care product to my regimen?
• Has there been a change in my diet?
• Have I been exposed to outdoor plants or insects that could be causing a reaction?
• Have I been under an increased amount of stress?
• Have I been outdoors and in the sun more than usual?
• Is there a new type of clothing, bedding, pillow case or other type of fabric that I’ve been exposed to?
• Have I been in contact with anyone carrying a contagious rash?
• Have I done a new kind of physical activity, such as swimming in a chlorinated pool, or exercising at a gym?  
  
  

These questions are just a base line of things to consider that could get you pointed toward what could be triggering your rash. If you are able to pinpoint the cause of your rash on face, simply eliminating that element should help to alleviate some of the symptoms.

Treating Facial Rashes

How you’re going to go about treating your rash will depend on the type of rash you have and what could be causing it. There are quite a few creams and potions on the market that might claim to clear up any kind of facial rash you’re experiencing that can be helpful in some cases. Keep in mind, however, that they aren’t the go-to for every situation.

Those with sensitive skin need to be especially cautious when choosing a treatment route. Sometimes, choosing the wrong treatment – especially when it comes to medicated products – can make the problem even worse. Products with harsh ingredients like alcohols or fragrances can be incredibly irritating to the skin.

Another challenge is in pinpointing which specific ingredient is causing the rash.  Sometimes, over time you will learn that there is one particular  type of ingredient that will flare up your skin rashes.  For example, if you know you are allergic to almonds, you will want to avoid products made with almond oil.

Fortunately, there are a few natural approaches that can be taken when it comes to getting rid of your facial rash. Following are a few things that could help:

• Clean up your diet – junk food or foods that you are sensitive to might be the source of your facial rash.
• Drink plenty of water - Dry skin might be furthering the problems you’re having with your skin. Staying hydrated is crucial for health and overall well-being and dry skin could be a sign that you’re dehydrated.
• Purify your skincare regimen - Choose non-toxic, hypoallergenic skin care products products that don’t contain fillers or harsh ingredients.
• De-Stress! - I know I keep saying this, but it's true ... excessive stress causes inflammation, and can un-balance our bodies, leading to all kinds of stress related symptoms. Petting your cat, taking a short meditation break, or stepping outside to smell the flowers, may be even better for your skin than those expensive skin creams!
• Keep it Simple - For some people with sensitive skin, remedies with just one ingredient are best. Some unrefined botanical oils can offer gentle, pure moisture and soothing to your skin. Try washing your face with cool water and a soft cloth and using a small amount sweet almond, jojoba or olive oil in place of your usual products and see if you notice an improvement. Be sure to do a skin test first, with this or any product or natural remedy.

Don’t let the embarrassment of having a rash on face get you down! Having a clear idea of what type of rash you have and what might be causing it, is the first step toward getting rid of it for good.

Image Source: via Wikimedia Commons By Elizabeth M. Dugan, Adam M. Huber, Frederick W. Miller, Lisa G. Rider,