It starts with an itch. Maybe prickling, stinging in the shower, and irritating redness that just won’t go away. Sound familiar? You could have adult skin rash.
Trust me, I’ve been there and done that. And on my quest to find the cleanest skincare available, I’ve turned to natural products to soothe all sorts of skin ailments, from dryness to rashes.
In this article, I’ll share my most trusted, natural, scientifically backed remedies to help you ditch the itch safely so you can get back to loving the skin you’re in.
What Is Adult Skin Rash?
Certain rashes are more common in adult women just before, during, and after menopause. Adult skin rashes can also be more noticeable, since the loss of collagen as we age makes our skin thinner and more fragile.
So, why am I suddenly getting skin rashes?
Rashes have all sorts of causes: irritants, skin conditions, allergens, infections, and hormonal changes. Menopause and the natural changes that come with it could be an underlying cause.
Then how do I identify the rash that I have?
Consulting a doctor is always best, but step one is getting familiar with the most common skin rashes in adults.
Types of Adult Skin Rashes That Could Be Caused By Menopause
Eczema
Eczema is an incredibly common skin condition affecting 1 in 10 US adults. Plus, menopause can make us more prone to it.
- Symptoms: Dryness, intense itchiness, thick & leathery patches, scaly patches, crustiness, blisters
- Where: Usually “bending” areas (elbow & knee crooks), face (especially around eyes, back of neck)
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a reaction to an allergen or irritant (yes, new allergies can pop up during menopause!). This type of adult skin rash is often caused by nickel, poison plants, or ingredients like fragrances and preservatives in household products.
- Symptoms: Dry, cracked, itchy, and scaly skin; Blisters, bumps, swelling, tenderness.
- Where: Wherever your skin contacted the allergen or irritant. Example: Your wrist from a bracelet containing nickel.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease affecting over 7.5 million US adults. You guessed it—menopause can be a trigger for psoriasis.
- Symptoms: Raised, thick, and dry skin patches (“plaques”), commonly covered in itchy, white coating of dead skin cells (“scale”)
- Where: Usually scalp, lower back, elbows, and/or knees, but can be anywhere
Heat Rash
Heat rash in adults can happen with prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. While there’s no direct evidence that menopause can cause heat rashes, you may experience reddening during a hot flash.
- Symptoms: Groups of small, raised bumps (clear, red, white, or purple), sometimes fluid-filled; Prickly, stinging, itchiness; Mild swelling
- Where: Usually clothed areas where sweat collects (back, armpits, chest, groin, neck)
Unlike most rashes, heat rashes should be kept dry.
Razor Rash (Razor Burn)
Razor rashes are caused by shaving incorrectly. This, unfortunately, can happen at any age!
- Symptoms: Streaky, red, irritated patches or blotches; Burning or stinging; Itchiness
- Where: Anywhere recently shaved
Shingles
Shingles is a skin rash in adults usually 50 or over that had chickenpox. So while not directly related to menopause, it still affects women who are around the same age. Essentially, the virus reactivates, causing:
- Symptoms: Typically starts with burning, tingling, itching skin, then band-like rash of blisters that become fluid-filled; Headache, chills, nausea, shooting pain.
- Where: Usually small area on one side of the body or face, often waistline, but can be anywhere.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a long-term, treatable skin condition more common in fair-skinned people over 30 and women in menopause.
- Symptoms: Persistent redness, pimples, swollen & warm skin, broken blood vessels, sometimes enlarged/thickened skin
- Where: Usually only face and eyes, often onto nose; Sometimes chest and neck
So, what can you do about these pesky irritations?
Natural Remedies to Soothe Adult Skin Rash
The bad news? Rashes are never a welcome sight. The good news? There are plenty of safe, natural remedies for soothing rashes.
Here’s what I recommend:
Opt for Clean, Fragrance-Free Skincare
Fragrances are one of many harmful ingredients in cosmetics. Experts recommend avoiding them to reduce itchiness.
The Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Daily Hydra Lotion from Babo Botanicals is a terrific everyday product perfect for sensitive skin and calming itchiness.
For more intimate rashes like vulvar dermatitis, try Wood More Play’s PH Balanced Intimate Wipes to gently cleanse and reduce discomfort.
Therapeutic Skin Baths
Adding certain ingredients to a lukewarm bath is a boon for calming rashes.
Colloidal oatmeal (powdered avena sativa oats) is approved by the FDA as a skin protectant. Plus, studies show it cleanses, moisturizes, buffers, and reduces inflammation.
Putting baking soda in your bath can balance your skin’s pH while easing itchiness or irritation. Studies show it can help treat rashes from:
Soaking in Epsom salts has been shown to reduce inflammation and help your skin retain moisture. An excuse to soak up the suds? I’ll take it!
Apply Restorative Moisturizer
Adult skin rashes are both more sensitive and usually require more hydration. The first-line treatment in eczema, for example, is skin-softening emollients.
Here are some scientifically-backed ingredients to look for:
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
- Vitamin E
- Avena sativa oats
- Plant oils (olive, argan, jojoba, chamomile, and safflower seed)
One of my personal favorites is Body Repair Lotion from CV Skinlabs, which customers laud for treating eczema rashes, dermatitis, and itchiness.
I also love Laurel Skin’s Recovery Balm, a true multi-tasker for soothing dryness, itchiness, and irritation.
Use Mineral Sunscreen
You probably know about sunscreen’s abundant benefits, but what if it’s causing your rash?
Common ingredients in chemical sunscreens can cause allergic reactions, so experts recommend clean mineral sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead.
My go-to sun protection is Mara’s Sea Kale Sunscreen Sérum, which is also oil-based — goodbye dryness!
Reduce Inflammation with a Cooling Spray
Like fresh produce at the grocery store, sometimes we just need a nice cooling mist. Coldness helps treat adult skin rashes by lowering swelling and inflammation.
A cooling spray like the Rescue and Relief Spray from CV Skinlabs is a fantastic on-the-go rash reliever. Made primarily of aloe, this spray is lauded for treating dermatitis, burns, irritation, and inflammation.
Seek Medical Attention When Necessary
While most rashes go away with time, it’s vital to seek medical treatment if these symptoms appear:
- Fever
- Rash spreads rapidly
- Signs of infection (yellow to green fluid, purple color, blistering, lasts over a week)
- Bruising around the rash
- Difficulty breathing
- Significant pain
Wondering what kind of rash covers the whole body? Multiple types can, but whole body rashes in adults can be an infection sign, so see your doctor immediately.
Goodbye Rashes, Hello Beautiful Skin!
Rashes are among the many irritations we deal with as adults, but you’re not alone and you’re not stuck itching forever. Natural, clean products can not only treat rashes but also prevent many of them from coming back.
Looking for clean, non-irritating beauty products? Check out my shop to find all the natural products I’ve personally researched and vetted!
