Are Skin Rashes Contagious?

• Are They Contagious?
  • Are skin rashes contagious?
• Contagious Itchy Skin Rash
  • How will I know if I have a contagious rash?
  • How do contagious rashes spread?
• Curable
  • How will I know when I am cured of a contagious rash?
  • When should I contact a medical caregiver about a rash?

There are contagious and noncontagious skin rashes. To make this broad topic more manageable, the following is a list of general categories of rashes that are considered noncontagious:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Nummular eczema
• Drug eruptions
• Hives
• Heat rash (miliaria)
• Diaper rash

Since the real question to be answered is what rashes are contagious, the remainder of this short article will address most of those rashes that are considered contagious; not all experts agree on these designations, so readers concerned about a rash are urged to discuss their individual condition with their physician.

Rashes that are considered by many physicians to be contagious are as follows:

• Molluscum contagiosum (viral)
• Impetigo (bacterial)
• Herpes (herpes simplex, types 1 and 2 viruses)
• Rash caused by Neisseria meningitides (N. meningitides) (bacterial)
• Rash and blisters that accompany shingles (herpes zoster virus)
• Ringworm (fungal) infections (tinea)
• Scabies (itch mite)
• Chickenpox (viral)
• Measles and rubella (viral)
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