Rash on Back of Neck: 7 Causes and 15 Treatments
Rash on back of neck usually affects children and teenagers. It is less likely to occur in adults. Rash on back of neck looks reddish in color. It is also associated with inflammation in some cases. Some people suffering from this also experience mild to moderate pain on the rashes.
Causes of Rash on back of neck:
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There could be various reasons related to the rashes. Some of the causes of the rash on back of neck include acne, dermatitis, eczema, Psoriasis etc. Find below the reasons for the rash on back of neck:
Acne:
Acne is regarded as the bacterial infection that takes the form of pimples, blackheads or whiteheads. Most acne is found to occur on the face or back but many times acnes are localized on the back of the neck.
Dermatitis:
Dermatitis is regarded as the swelling of the skin layer. Dermatitis often resembles a rash or an itchy skin. Dermatitis may occur due to some kind of skin allergy on the neck. This may also be caused due to allergy because of being continuously in touch with some material to which the person has some allergy.
The material could be some dress material, or it could be some jewellery. If a person continuously itches or scratches the neck portion, the problem can worsen, and it might make the skin reddish and swollen at the back of the neck.
Medication side effects:
Rash on back of neck could also develop as a result of a side effect of a medicine that the doctor prescribes a person. In such cases, you should immediately contact the doctor who can weigh out the benefits of the medicine or could change the medicine depending on the side effect.
Allergy to food:
Rash on back of neck can also develop due to an allergy to a food item. Some people have an allergy to fishes, milk etc. The allergy may develop on some part of the body as itchy skin and may slowly spread to other body parts. One should identify the food items that he is allergic to and should avoid those food items in the diet.
Eczema:
Eczema is a skin disorder which can occur in different body parts like the back of the neck. Eczema can appear as red, itchy skin. Sweating and use of certain soaps, creams, and lotions containing chemicals might result in eczema.
Sunburn:
Many people go for sunbath to change the skin tone and to increase the intake of vitamin D. However, prolonged exposure of the body to the sunlight might have a damaging effect on the skin.
The UV rays can penetrate the outer skin layer and damage the inner skin causing redness of the skin, itching, and swelling. This may lead to a rash on back of neck and the formation of blisters. Even people who use lotions for the treatment of acne or pimples become more sensitive to sun rays.
Psoriasis:
Rashes on the neck are also seen as a symptom of psoriasis. In this disease abnormal growth of skin cells takes place on the neck which also leads to the formation of the pus on these cells. Thus there is blister formation on the back of neck, back or the face.
Treatment of Rash on back of neck:
There could be various reasons for the rash on back of neck, and the treatment would involve looking at the accompanying symptoms and giving the treatment accordingly.
Some of the treatment options include:
Cold water bath:
Coldwater bathe can be the first option for the treatment. Cold water bath can provide some relief from the rashes. Cold water has a soothing property and can provide relief from the irritation.
For the treatment, you should immerse your neck portion in the cold water for around 15-20 minutes. One should take special care in case of babies and kids, or the babies should be sponged with cold water instead of immersion.
Baking soda compress:
Baking soda also helps in providing relief from the itchy neck. One can prepare the solution by mixing one teaspoon full of baking soda in one cup of cold water. A cloth can be dipped in the baking soda solution and applied to the affected area.
The application of baking soda will provide immediate relief to the rashes especially the itching caused due to them.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is also a great remedy to treat rashes and itching caused due to them. Oatmeal products are readily available in the market and can be used directly over the skin.
They contain a natural substance called avenanthramides, which has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties. To be more economical, you can even get bulk oats at discount stores or online. They are very affordable, so you can easily stock up on this natural skin remedy.
Allergy medication:
One can also take over the counter medications available for rashes. Benadryl can be sued for the treatment which will provide relief from itching and irritation in most cases. In case the medicine is not able to provide relief, or the symptoms worsen, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Topical creams:
Topical creams containing hydrocortisone cans be applied to the affected area as per the requirement. The hydrocortisone cream would immediately provide relief from the itching and redness.
Cotton clothing:
One should wear cotton or the clothes made of natural fibres and should prevent wearing synthetic, tight or woollen clothes. The synthetic or woollen clothes may irritate the region around the neck and may worsen the situation by increasing itching and redness.
Aloe Gel:
Aloe gel is also a good remedy for the treatment of rash on back of neck at hairline. Aloe gel or extract can be applied to the affected areas at regular intervals of 2 hours. Aloe gel would be especially useful in case the reason for the rash on back of neck is poison ivy or poison sumac.
Cloth detergent:
One should use an unscented detergent for washing the clothes. Even the chemicals present in the detergent should not be very harsh to the skin. One should also rinse the clothes with water for more time to remove all the chemicals being stuck on the fibres.
Vitamin C and water:
Make a paste using vitamin C tablets and water. Crush 2 vitamin C tablets and mix it with water. The paste of Vitamin C and water can be applied to the neck or other affected area to provide relief from itching.
Moisturizers:
Moisturizing lotion or cream can be applied topically to the affected area. The moisturisers help to keep the moisture at the site of rash elevated and help to remove any dryness at the affected site.
Rashes that are due to Psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and dermatitis can be treated using a moisturiser. However, it is essential to use a good moisturiser containing natural ingredients and not the chemicals.
Drinking lots of water:
Water is an essential constituent of the body. Water helps to cure and prevent many skin related problems. Drinking lots of water keep you hydrated and also raises the moisture level of the skin. It is vital to drink 8-10 glasses of water to keep skin hydrated and prevent the occurrence of skin diseases.
Calamine lotion:
Calamine lotion is also an excellent remedy for the rash on back of neck at hairline. Calamine lotion should be applied on the affected area. Calamine lotion provides a cooling and soothing sensation over the skin as it evaporates. The lotion also helps to provide relief from itching and rashes on the hairline.
Humidifiers:
Humidifiers are also helpful in keeping the air moist, and they also help in keeping the skin moist in turn. This is especially helpful for the people having very dry skin, thus preventing a lot of diseases that are caused due to skin dryness.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar can be used for the treatment of rash on back of neck. Apple cider vinegar is helpful in treating allergy, dryness and itchy skin. It is also very effective in case a rash is produced due to poison ivy.
Apple cider vinegar can be applied using a cotton compress which will help to extract the toxins out of the skin and providing relief. Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and is very useful for the treatment of rashes associated with infection. This also helps to keep the balance of acid and base in the skin surface.
Olive oil:
Olive oil has excellent moisturising property. It greatly helps in healing of skin and skin replenishment. Olive oil has vitamin E and antioxidants. Olive oil can be used to get relief for the rash on back of neck. Olive oil provides soothing effect and relief against itching.
Olive oil can be mixed with honey: The mixture can be applied to the affected area to provide relief to the skin against rashes.
Olive oil can also be mixed with turmeric powder to enhance the antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties of the oil. Turmeric additionally has anti-inflammatory properties and helps significantly in providing soothing effect and relief to the skin from itching.
The remedies given above do wonders in treating and preventing a rash on back of neck. However, in case the remedies are not able to treat in a week or the symptoms worsen, one should immediately consult a physician.
