Rash on thighs often occurs on the inner thigh but can also be on the upper or outer thigh. It can affect both adults and children (babies), male or female. In females, it often appear during pregnancy, although it can show up without pregnancy. Explore pictures, causes, signs and symptoms of rush on thighs. Also, learn how to get rid of it with treatments and home remedies.
Signs and Symptoms
A rash is a symptom that is characterized by redness, inflamed, and itchy skin. This condition can show up anywhere on your skin as painful spots, bumps, pimples, pustules or bumps. Skin rash can affect anybody regardless of the age, gender, and racial origin.
Both male and female can be affected by skin rash on their thighs. However, infants, toddlers or babies may also develop a skin rash on outer, inner and upper thighs. Generally, young children are more susceptible to develop skin rash compared to adults.
Focusing on the thighs, a rash can also appear on this part of your body. A rash can appear on various parts of your thighs. Specifically, the inner, outer and upper parts of the thighs can be affected by a skin rash.
The manifestation of skin rash on thighs can appear in different form and color. A rash on your thighs might not always appear red in color. They can also appear as pink, brown, white, grey, yellow and dark depending on your skin tone.
The signs and symptoms of a rash on the skin of the thighs may vary from one person to another. It is quite useful to learn the possible symptoms associated with a rash on the skin of the thighs. This may provide you a hint of your skin condition.
Signs and symptoms of rash on thighs include the following:
- Redness, tender or inflammation of the skin on the affected area
- Irritation, burning sensation or itchy skin on thighs
- A discomfort or pain on things while walking
- Fluid-filled blister on the skin of inner or outer thighs
- Few or many pimples like bumps
- Tiny or large bumps like boils around the skin of thighs
- Dry or scaly skin on the affected area of thighs
- Harp bumps or cysts under the skin surface that are not itchy
Rash on Thighs Pictures
How does a thing with a rash look like? We have inserted illustrative picture of a rash on the skin of thighs in relevant parts of this post. You can use these pictures (images) to assess your skin and get a clue about the health condition of your skin. However, you should not use the picture as a guide for self- diagnosis and treatment without the assistance of your doctor.
Causes of Rash on Thighs
A rash on the skin of a thigh can appear to due to various reasons or factors. These factors can determine the type of skin rash that can show up and the parts affected. Some rashes may attack the inner thighs while other can affect the outer thighs. Also, upper parts of thighs can be affected by a skin rash.
Some of the causal agents may lead to a mild skin condition that can resolve on its own without treatment. Occasionally, some rashes on thighs can advance into chronic skin problem that may need medical concern.
Here are some of the possible causes of a rash on thighs that include:
1. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that can occur when your skin comes into direct in contact with allergens or irritants. A rash on inner and outer parts of a thigh can develop as a consequence of contact dermatitis. This condition can also be called irritant dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.
The common skin allergens or irritants that can cause rashes on your thighs include irritation from cloth materials, detergents, poison ivy, fragrance, dust particles or any other harmful substances. The inner thigh is more susceptible to develop red itchy rashes when exposed to these allergens.
2. Heat rash
Heat rash is a common cause of skin rash on thighs in young infants, toddlers or babies. Adults can also develop heat rash on the skin of thighs due to wearing of too tight cloth that can clog skin pores that might affect sweat glands.
Heat rash is a skin condition that is characterized by small red bumps like pimples on the affected area. High temperature, accumulation of sweats and poor ventilation of air on the skin surface might increase the risk of developing a heat rash.
3. Fungal infection
Jock itch is a known fungal infection that can cause a rash on the skin of inner thighs near the groin. This infection is common in men who sweat a lot that creates suitable moist environmental condition around genital parts that may encourage the growth of harmful fungus on the skin.
Fungal infection can also attack women, teens, and children when they are exposed to risk factors that may encourage the growth of yeast infection. Moist environment, accumulated sweat, and dirty skin is a predisposing factor that favors fungal infection.
4. Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a type of skin condition that can cause a rash on thighs, neck, arms, and trunk. This condition is associated with round scaly patches and bumps on the affected areas of the skin. Pityriasis rosea is common during the spring season of the year.
This is a skin condition that often occurs in young children and women. However, it might show up in men under rare cases. The main cause of Pityriasis rosea is not clearly known but it is speculated to be related to herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7).
5. Friction and chafing
A rash on inner thighs can appear as an effect of friction that can occur between the cloth and the skin of the thighs. This can happen during physical activities involve the continuous movement of legs such as running and cycling a bicycle.
6. STDs
Some sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) might cause the development of a rash on thighs. Genital herpes and syphilis are known STDs that can cause red bumps and blister on the genital skin that may extend to the skin surface of thighs.
7. Hidradenitis suppurativa
This is a rare cause that may result in rashes on your thighs. This condition can occur when sweat glands around inner thighs, armpits and groin region are inflamed into painful red bumps that might break to ooze out thick fluids like pus.
8. Folliculitis
This is a skin condition that is characterized by red itchy bumps like boils on the inner thighs. Folliculitis has similar symptoms as Hidradenitis suppurativa. Folliculitis can happen on your skin when the hair follicle is infected by bacteria or fungi.
9. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can show up as a red itchy rash that is surrounded by silvery white marks or patches. This condition might cause skin rashes anywhere on your body including inner, outer or upper skin of the thighs.
10. Eczema
This is an autoimmune disorder that can cause a red itchy rash on thighs. This condition can also appear as red itchy patches like burns on the affected area.
11. Insect Bites
Insects’ bites might be the reason why red spot like rash can appear on your thighs. Bet burgs, flies, fleas, and mites are common parasitic insects that can lead to red itchy rashes on the skin of the thighs.
12 Other rare causes
- Chickenpox
- Scarlet fever
- Lupus
- Stasis dermatitis
- Kawasaki’s disease
- Cancer of skin
Rash on Inner Thigh
Inner thigh rashes are a skin condition that can affect both male and female regardless their age. A skin rash on inner thigh near grown is a common problem that may show up in men and female who sweats a lot. Babies, infants, toddlers, and teens can also be affected by skin rashes on inner thighs.
The inner thighs have soft delicate skin that is more susceptible to develop different types of skin rashes. In addition, this part is always hot because it tends to be covered by cloth hence this limits the air circulation around this area that may encourage sweating.
High temperature and the moist environment around the skin of inner thighs due to accumulated sweats might encourage the growth of harmful fungi and bacteria. The growth of harmful bacteria and fungi on the skin can lead to various types of rashes on the affected area.
Apart from fungi and bacteria, the inner thighs can also develop itchy rashes due to any of the factors that cause rash on thighs that are already been discussed. Some of these causes include contact dermatitis, heat rash, friction, STDs, folliculitis, eczema and any other skin disease.
Skin rash on inner thighs can be prevented by wearing lightweight cloth that can allow ventilation of air around the skin surface. Proper skin hygiene practices can also help you escape the problems of skin rash on inner thighs.
If you notice that a rash on your inner thighs has refused to go away, it is advisable to go for medical treatment. You can visit your doctor who can give appropriate diagnosis and treatment that can help you to get rid of the skin rash on inner thighs.
Rash on Outer Thigh
Physical activities like running and cycling can trigger the development rash on outer thighs and buttocks. Active body exercise can increase the rated of sweating due to increased body temperature. This might lead to bumps and rash to show up on your thighs.
Exercise-induced urticaria is a known condition that can occur after physical exercise. This condition can cause skin rash in form of hives and welts on the skin of outer thighs. Typically, hives are itchy red bumps, blotches, spots or patches that can show up in the affected area.
Miliaria or sweat rash is another condition that may lead to bumps on skin surface when sweat ducts are clogged. The condition can also occur after physical exercise that causes sweating. Also, wearing too tight cloth or heavy cloth and hot temperature are risk factors that might lead to sweat rash.
Other factors that cause rash on thighs that we have already discussed can also be the reason why the outer thighs develop a skin rash. Some of these causal agents include heat rash, contact dermatitis, and fungal infection.
Rash on Thighs during Pregnancy
A rash on inner thighs while pregnant may be signs of harmless skin condition that occurs due to change of hormones. However, as a woman, you should not ignore such rashes because it might be an indication of an underlying condition that needs medical treatment.
The period of pregnancy in women is associated with many physical and chemical changes in the body. For instance, increase in body weight as the belly lies on the thigh while seated can increase the risk of getting heat rash around lower parts of the abdomen, genital and upper front parts of thighs.
When you notice a rash on thigh during pregnancy period that is accompanied by a strange itchy fluid-filled blister that makes you feel a discomfort, it is advisable to visit your doctor to determine the cause and give appropriate treatment.
Rash on Thigh Babies
The baby skin is more susceptible to be affected by various types of skin rashes. This is because of the undeveloped immune system in young babies, infants or toddler. As your child continues to grow up you may notice that the skin rash also progressively clear away as the immune system develops.
Baby rash on legs and diaper area can be attributed to being heat rash or diaper rash. Bumps on baby legs and arms might be symptoms of heat rash. Although other skin parts of your kid such as the face, neck, back, and arms can also show up heat rash.
Heat rash and diaper rash on baby’s thighs are a mild skin condition that might not advance into serious skin condition. However, if you notice strange pink, red or purple spots on thighs of your baby, you should not ignore this because it might be signs of a more serious health condition that needs medical treatment.
Baby skin can also develop hurting skin infections that cause itchy red spots like bumps on legs that cause a discomfort. Sometimes the baby skin may turn into redness and this might be an indication of bacterial or viral infection. For such situation, you need to take your baby to a specialized doctor for medical treatment.
Home Remedies
You can get rid of mild rashes on your thigh by using the following home remedies that include:
- Aloe Vera
You can use Aloe Vera as a home remedy to get rid of skin rash on thighs. Aloe Vera herb has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory that can help in the healing of various skin infections including skin rashes on thighs.
How to use:
- Clean the affected parts of the skin with warm water and dry it off with washcloth
- Apply the Aloe Vera gel, cream or juice on the affected parts of the skin
- Leave it to dry completely before rinsing it off
- Repeat this treatment 2 times per day for few weeks
- Ice cold water
Ice cold water is an effective treatment to soothe itchy heat rash and sweat rash on your skin. the low temperature can also help to reduce inflammation and numbs the nerves to ease itchy rash on the skin.
How to use:
- Get an ice cube and place it a clean piece of cloth
- Cold compress the affected parts of the skin for about 15 minutes
- Repeat this process several times in a day as you can until you get a relief
- Apple cider vinegar
The application of apple cider vinegar has the ability to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itchy rash on thighs.
How to use:
- Dilute two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with equal amount of water
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution
- Apply the solution on the affected area of the skin using soaked cotton ball
- Repeat the process three times per day for few weeks
- Honey and lemon juice
A mixture of honey and lemon juice is an excellent home remedy to remove the rash skin on the thighs. Honey has medicinal properties that can help to relieve redness, inflammation and itchy skin. Lemon juice contains citric acid that has antiseptic and antioxidant properties that can help in the healing of skin rash.
How to use:
- Mix one teaspoon of raw honey and two teaspoons of lemon juice
- Apply the mixture on the affected parts of the skin
- Allow it to stay on your skin for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water
- Repeat this treatment two times in a day for few weeks until rash on thighs go away
- Olive oil
Olive oil has antioxidants that can help to heal fast rashes on your skin. It can also soothe itchy red blotches and spots on the affected areas of the skin.
How to use:
- Use your hands to apply the olive oil on the affected area of the skin
- Leave it to dry before rinsing it with water
- Repeat the treatment twice per day for few weeks until ski rash go away
- Alternatively, you can use any other essential oil such as Neem tree oil, coconut oil, castors oil or almond oil instead of olive oil
You can use other home remedies such as the application of baking soda, oatmeal, turmeric, chamomile tea, clay, mint leaves, basil leaves, onion, garlic, or any other suitable home remedies that can help in getting rid of a rash on your thighs.
Medical Treatment
If a rash on your thighs is becoming bothersome to you and has refused to go away, medical treatment is the best option you can go for by visiting your doctor. Your doctor may determine the main cause of your skin rash and decide the appropriate medical treatment for you.
Your doctor might use the following treatment method to treat rashes on your thighs:
- Prescription of medicinal creams, gel, and lotions that can help to treat and cure rashes on your thighs
- Prescription of oral medications to treat the underlying infection that may cause skin rash
- Surgical treatment to remove chronic rashes on your skin
- Laser treatment that use beam of electrons to get rid of skin rashes
When to See a Doctor
You can see your doctor over rash on thighs when you notice the following skin conditions:
- When rashes on your thighs has refused to go away within a period of three weeks
- If rashes on your skin are itchy and cause a lot of discomfort to you
- When you baby develop chronic blisters like rash on legs that appear worrisome
- If rashes on your thighs are chronic bumps that have pus and sometimes bleed easily
Sources and References
[showhide type=”links” more_text=”Show Sources and References” less_text=”Hide Sources and References”]
- Rash on inner, outer and upper thighs: https://emedicalhub.com/inner-thigh-rash-causes-pictures-treatment/
- Signs and symptoms of rash on skin of thighs: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/common-rashes#1
- Causes of rashes on thighs: https://www.healthline.com/health/rash-on-inner-thigh#types-and-causes3
- Causes of Rash on skin of thighs: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317999.php
- Rash on inner thighs: https://www.livestrong.com/article/546551-types-of-inner-thigh-rashes/
- Rash on outer thighs: https://www.livestrong.com/article/551490-bumps-on-outside-of-thighs-after-a-workout/
- Rash on the thighs during pregnancy: http://newsbeat.co.ke/rash-inner-thigh-pregnancy-causes-female-near-groin-area-male-itchy-not-itchy-natural-home-remedies/
- Skin rash of the thighs of babies: http://www.parents.com/baby/care/skin/rash-on-babys-legs/
- How to get rid of rash on skin of the thighs: https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-a-Rash-Between-Your-Legs
- Home remedies for rash on the thighs: https://homeremediesforlife.com/inner-thigh-rash/ [/showhide]
