Skin rashes come in different shapes and sizes, and they can be caused by a great number of health conditions. So, how do you know if your rash is caused by a benign yeast infection or the herpes simplex virus?
In this article, we will be going over the key differences between a skin rash and a simplex rash.
Herpes Simplex Rash
There are two types of HSV:
- HSV-1 – also referred to as oral herpes. This virus causes sores around the lips and mouth.
- HSV-2 – also referred to as genital herpes, since its typical sign are sores around the genitals.
Depending on which of these two viruses you have, you will notice different symptoms. However, they do have several things in common – fluid-filled blisters that crust over when popped, itchy skin before the sores come out, and flu-like symptoms.
Differences between a Skin Rash and a Simplex Rash
Here are some types of rashes that can be mistaken with herpes simplex viruses.
- Dermatitis – a condition that can sometimes be confused with herpes, dermatitis causes red, flaky, and itchy skin. The key difference between dermatitis and herpes is that dermatitis can appear anywhere on the body.
- Shingles – since this condition also manifests with fluid-filled blisters, people often mistake it for herpes. However, unlike herpes blisters, these blisters typically appear in a band.
- Jock itch – although it appears around the genitals, jock itch doesn’t look like herpes – the crusts that appear on the edges of the rash don’t crust over.
- Genital warts – like HSV-2, this infection also appears on the genitals. However, genital warts are flesh-colored bumps.
Final Word
Now that you’re familiar with the key differences between a skin rash and a simplex rash, you know how to differentiate this virus from similar infections.
