Rash is not a specifically diagnosed skin disorder. It is, instead, distorted skin appearance resulted from inflammation and discoloration. Major triggers of rash include viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infestation and infection. It may also stem on some auto-immune disorders. Some allergies and irritants may also play a significant role in causing rashes. Rashes may reside on nails, skin, or hair. According to Mayo Clinic, common skin diseases that cause skin rashes are eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Finding out the main cause and suitable treatments will be helpful in subsiding the induced discomfort.

Treating rashes with essential oils

Skin rash is very common and may affect both adults and children. Proper remedies provide relief to the affected area. Using essential oils topically is one of the widely-known home remedy for skin rashes. Choosing the right ones will not only relieve the itch and discomfort, but may also prevent further infestation.

Certain essential oils are useful in improving skin rashes because they contain potent anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-infectious, and antiseptic properties. Hence, they target the causal virus, bacteria, or infection that result in skin rashes and thus, provide relief and comfort to the affected site. Essential oils with these properties, therefore, reduce skin redness, inflammation, itching, and pain. However, essential oil application should be done with cautions, since some essential oils, on the other hands, may cause skin irritation.

Seven best essential oils for skin rash

If you decide to use essential oils as the remedies for your skin rashes, choose ones with therapeutic properties. These essential oils will help healing skin rashes, reducing discomfort, and getting rid of the infestation and/or allergies. Some well-known antiseptic, anti-viral, antibacterial, and thus, anti-inflammatory essential oils include:

1. Lavender oil

Lavender oil is not only a great insect repellant, but also a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient. This oil is a suitable treatment for skin rashes caused by insect bites and irritation, as it contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities to treat itchy skin. It also reduces swelling and treats skin redness. Lavender also has relaxing property, which is useful in providing better sleep quality.

2. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil does not only has refreshing scent, but also potent antiseptic property. This oil, thus, is great for treating viral or bacterial infection resulting in skin rashes. It is very essential for rashes induced by infections, whether it is viral or bacterial. As a potent antiseptic, eucalyptus oil mixed with the other essential oils makes a beneficial remedy for uncomfortable prickly heat or heat rash.

3. Peppermint oil

Quite similar to eucalyptus, peppermint essential oil has a significant role as a potent antiseptic, anti-viral, and antibacterial agent. This oil also gives soothing effect when applied directly onto the skin. This is helpful when you are having itchy and painful rashes from insect bites, psoriasis, eczema, or allergies.

4. Tea tree oil

Another essential oil that functions as a potent skin healer is tea tree. This ingredient is widely known as a great anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-fungal ingredient. As a result, tea tree essential oil will be helpful for skin rashes resulted from cold sores, acne, insect bites, blisters, and itching. You can even find tea tree oil in a wide variety of topical health and beauty products.

5. Sandalwood oil

This essential oil does not only make a great room fragrance, but also a useful reliever for skin rashes and inflammation. Its inflammatory property calms dilated capillaries and thus, provides relief from inflammation and swelling. Thus, this oil can be applied onto your skin rashes that are caused by psoriasis, rosacea, insect bites, stretch marks, and scars. It will eventually calm the tissues and reduce the swelling and inflamed rashes.

6. Chamomile oil

Chamomile is not only great as tea. As an essential oil, this famous ingredient plays a major role as an anti-inflammatory agent. Main properties of chamomile essential oil are calming and sedative, making it a suitable remedy for eczema. Compared to over the counter steroids used for eczema, this essential oil is more natural and effective. It decreases skin rashes caused by inflamed tissues during eczema breakout, and employed in longer therapy period, this essential oil can be a replacement for the steroid creams.

7. Bergamot oil

This orange-derived plantation does not only smell fresh and energizing, but also has a significant mood boosting effect. In addition, this essential oil reduces inflammation by approximately 63%, which will be effective in healing skin rashes caused by allergies and irritation.

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Tips on using top-list essential oils for skin rash

Some essential oils are very useful in healing skin rash, swelling, inflammation, and infection if applied properly. As they are very potent, applying these essential oils carelessly may result in contraindications. Some useful tips on how to use this home remedy to help getting rid of your skin rash include:

• Use carrier oil or solution and mix it with your selected skin-rash essential oil. Diluting the essential oil is crucial to make sure it is not too harsh for the affected skin. The most common carrier oils for healing skin rash are coconut and jojoba oil, although you can also mix the oils with shea butter, which is useful for improving most skin disorders. Shea butter keeps your skin hydrated, and this is important during any skin disorder flare ups.
• To maximize your skin ability to absorb the essential oils, you can add some drops to your warm bath. Warm water will help opening skin pores and therefore, let the useful essential oils be absorbed deep into the tissues. This will speed up the healing process and reduce swelling and inflammation.
• You might need to do a skin patch test to make sure you are not allergic to any substances and ingredients contained in your preferred essential oils. A skin patch test is important, since essential oil allergies may instead worsen your skin rash. People with sensitive skin or recurring skin disorders, such as eczema should definitely perform the test before any applications, and the skin behind your ear is the best region for the test.