Rashes Defined: What Causes Them? Everyone has experienced some kind of breakout or skin eruption in some fashion, but what exactly is a rash? Medically described, a rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. It may be localized in one part of the body, or it can affect the entire body in extreme cases.
What is Pruritus? In a nutshell, Pruritus means “itching” – a sensation that makes a person want to scratch. Pruritus can cause discomfort and be frustrating. If it is severe, it can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression. The exact cause of an itch is unknown. It is a complex process involving nerves that respond to certain chemicals like histamine that are released in the skin, and the processing of nerve signals in the brain.