Help! I have a RASH...

Rashes can be simple—or a clue to something bigger. Here’s a helpful rundown of what they might mean and when to see Dr. Jeffrey Berti or Dr. Toula Berti at Nashville Dermatology Physicians in Brentwood, TN.

Common Rashes: Usually Not Serious

1. Contact Dermatitis

- Red, itchy spots from poison ivy, new soap, or jewelry.

- Example: A patient’s new watch caused it—quick fix!

2. Medicine Allergy

- Blotchy rash from a pill, like an antibiotic, most resolve but always need to contact your doctor who prescribed as there is a low risk or it progressing to a very serious situation.

3. Heat Rash

- Tiny, prickly bumps from sweat clogging pores.

- Common in Tennessee summers—cool off and it fades!

These often go away once the trigger’s gone, but we can help if they stick around or cannot stand the itch and it’s keeping you up!

Infectious Rashes: Some rashes come from bugs—viruses, bacteria, or more

1.Viral Rashes (Measles, Chickenpox, Shingles)**

- Measles: Fever, then red spots all over. Rare but serious.

- Chickenpox: Itchy blisters—less common now with vaccines.

- Shingles: Painful rash in a line, from old chickenpox reactivating

2. Bacterial Rashes (Cellulitis, Impetigo)

- Cellulitis: Red, warm, swollen skin, often with fever. Needs antibiotics fast!

- Impetigo: Crusty, golden sores, usually kids. Contagious but treatable.

- Indirectly from bacterial infection: Scarlet Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotty Fever, Lyme Disease

3. Fungal Rashes (Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot)

- Ringworm: Red, scaly circles—not a worm, just fungus!

- Athlete’s Foot: Itchy, peeling feet from damp shoes.

4. Parasitic Rashes (Scabies, Lice)

- Scabies: Crazy itching, tiny burrows from mites. Spreads easy.

- Lice: Itchy scalp or skin, little critters you can see.

These need the right medicine—don’t guess, let us check!

Serious Rashes: Could Indicate a Systemic problem or Cancer

Some rashes signal bigger health issues. Watch for these:

1. Kaposi Sarcoma

- Purple or red spots, not itchy, tied to weak immune systems.

- Example: A guy thought they were bruises—early catch saved him!

2. T-Cell Lymphoma

- Red, scaly patches that grow, might look like eczema.

3. Vasculitis

- Purplish spots or bumps from inflamed blood vessels.

- Can tie to lupus or infections—needs a deeper look.

4. Rashes associated with Pregancy

- Itchy red rashes

These aren’t common, but we’ve seen enough to know what further testing is needed and how to treat!

Autoimmune Rashes: Body Fighting Itself

Sometimes your immune system causes the rash. Here’s a few common ones:

1. Psoriasis

- Thick, red, scaly patches—elbows, knees, scalp.

- Not contagious, just stubborn.

   - Can have painful joints

There are many different medicines to help your skin and also protect joint damage!

2. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

- Dry, itchy, red skin, often in kids or those with allergies

- Example: A patient swore it was “just dry”—we got it under control.

3. Lupus

- Butterfly rash on the face, or red spots elsewhere.

- Comes with tiredness or joint pain—can be serious.

4. Pemphigus

- Blisters and sores on skin or in mouth

5. Crohn's Disease

-Swollen Lesions

-Ulcers

-Abcesses

-Erythema Nodosum

These are just a few of the rashes associated with autoimmune diseases, they often are chronic and need special care—we can individualize and  tailor a plan that is right for you!

Many Other Rash Causes:

Rashes with diverse causes. Here are just a few more as the list is not comprehensive, so many health issues can be correlated to a rash. Check some of these out:

1.Stress Rashes (Hives)

- Red, itchy welts from nerves or pressure.

- Example: One guy broke out before a big speech—stress was the culprit!

2. Sun Reactions

- Red or blistery skin from too much UV, or weird meds plus sun.

- Seen it with antibiotics or even perfumes!

3. Food Allergies

- Itchy rash or swelling from nuts, shellfish, whatever.

- Quick tip: If your throat’s tight too, that’s an emergency.

4. Bites or stings

   - Itchy and red

   - Depending on what caused this bite and reaction, determines the treatment.  Do not ignore the spider bites!

These can be tricky to pin down—we’ll sort it out.

We’ve been at this for decades—Mayo Clinic trained, privately owned and operated,  Brentwood locals. Here’s why we’re your go-to:

1. We listen to you  (new soap? Fever? Bugs?).

2. We figure it out—cream, pills, or a biopsy if needed.

3. We catch the rare stuff early, so you’re safe.

Our office is professional yet inviting.  We are accessible and our staff is friendly. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional care with the timeless values that foster the doctor-patient relationship, one that listens to you and treats your individual skin issues. 

How to Contact Drs. Berti:

Ring us: 615-212-2517

Request an Appointment: NashvilleDermatologyPhysicians

1001 Health Park Dr.

Suite 470

Brentwood, TN 37027