Everyday care · 5 min read
A new skin rash? Here is what to look at before you worry
Rashes can itch, sting, spread or appear without warning. A few useful details can help you know whether to watch, message Penda or come in.
Many rashes are mild, but a rash with breathing difficulty, facial swelling, confusion, severe illness or bruise-like spots that do not fade when pressed needs urgent care.
Start with the story, not an internet photo
Two rashes can look alike and have very different causes. Notice where yours began, whether it is itchy, painful, raised, blistering or spreading, and whether you also have fever. Think about anything new: soap, lotion, medicine, food, jewellery, a plant, an insect bite or contact with someone who is unwell. On brown and black skin, colour change may be easier to see on the palms, soles, lips, tongue or inside the eyelids.
Keep the skin calm while you get advice
Try not to scratch. Use gentle, fragrance-free products and keep the area clean and dry. Do not share towels if an infection is possible, and avoid mixing steroid, antifungal or antibiotic creams because a friend says they worked. The wrong cream can hide the problem or make it worse.
A clear phone photo can be useful
Take one photo in natural light from far enough away to show where the rash is, then one closer photo to show the texture. A coin or ruler nearby can help show size, but do not place it on broken skin. WhatsApp care can be a good first step, although some rashes still need to be touched, examined or tested in person.
Do not wait for these warning signs
Go urgently for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, confusion, a stiff neck, a child who is not responding normally or a bruise-like rash that does not fade when pressed. Rapidly spreading pain, pus, fever or a rash that starts after a new medicine also needs prompt assessment.
Health information sources
These sources support the general information on this page.
Updated 27 July 2026. Penda adapts public-health guidance for a Kenyan patient audience; this page does not replace a personal consultation.