– Skin is the largest and most visible organ in the human body, accounting for 15% of body ma
– It functions as a sunscreen, shield from germs, a reservoir of vitamin D, and regulates body temperature
– Skin rashes reflect disorders of gut, blood, hormones, and the heart
– Lyme disease rash, erythema migrans, is a hallmark of the disease and should prompt a visit to the doctor
– Purpura is a rash of small purple or red dots that may signal an issue with the walls of blood vessels or the blood within them
– Spider naevi is a recognizable shape that represents an issue within skin arterioles and can cause a spider-like pattern
– Black velvet is changes to the folds of the skin, especially around the armpits or neck, which may suggest a condition known as acanthosis nigrican
– These rashes are often benign and not associated with any specific condition
– If successfully treated, they may vanish with time, but can persist or reappear later.