Skin, ears and urinary
Rashes & skin problems
For rashes, itching, burns and cuts
with a medical interpreter
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
OK to consult together
payment information
About
About Rashes & skin problems
We treat skin problems such as rashes, eczema, itching, acne, minor burns and cuts. Sending photos makes the consultation smoother.
Why it happens
The skin acts as a barrier protecting the body from outside irritants. When that barrier is disrupted by sweat, friction, dryness, UV rays, chemicals or insect bites, inflammation causes redness, itching and rashes. Hot, humid conditions make heat rash (from blocked sweat glands) and fungal infections such as ringworm more likely. A rash all over the body can also be a reaction to an infection, allergy or medication.
What's happening in the body
The skin acts as a wall that keeps out irritants and germs. This wall is maintained by a film made of sebum and sweat, the outer layer of the skin, and a balance of bacteria that normally live on the skin. In hot, humid conditions you sweat a lot, and because the sweat doesn't evaporate easily, the skin surface stays damp. The outer layer then softens and the wall works less well, creating conditions in which fungi grow easily. Fungi feed on keratin in the outer layer and multiply, and the body's immune response to them causes redness, itching and peeling. Heat rash, on the other hand, occurs when sweat ducts become blocked and sweat leaks into the skin, causing inflammation around it. Swelling and itching from insect bites is an allergic reaction to substances in the insect's saliva. Treatment depends on the cause, so we assess both how it looks and how it has developed.
Main symptoms
- Red, itchy rash
- Small bumps (heat rash)
- Weeping eczema, peeling skin
- A ring-shaped rash with clear edges (can occur with fungal infections)
- Swelling or itching after insect bites
- Acne, inflamed pores
- Blisters or pus
- Dry or cracked skin
When you can wait and see
What you can do yourself
- When you sweat, rinse off in the shower often and pat your skin dry
- Choose breathable, moisture-absorbing clothes, and change out of wet clothes quickly
- Keep nails short to avoid damaging the skin by scratching, and cool the area to ease itching
- Use a gentle cleanser and avoid washing too much
- Use a moisturizer to maintain the skin barrier
Please consult us
If any of the following apply
- You've developed a rash, eczema or itching
- You're concerned about acne or rough skin
- You want advice on treating a minor burn or cut
Seek care right away
If any of the following apply
- A rash with breathlessness or swelling of the face or throat
- A rash all over the body with high fever and sores on the mouth, eyes or genitals
- Redness spreading quickly, with severe pain and fever
- Bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, monkey or other animal (urgent care is needed in areas where rabies occurs)
- Spreading purple pinpoint spots that don't fade when pressed
Don't wait for a Cotovia consultation; call the emergency number in your country.
See the emergency guide for each countryIf you're not sure, ask us on LINE
Differential
Telling it apart from similar conditions
Symptoms that look the same may need different care depending on the cause. Use this as a guide to find what's closest to your situation.
Ringworm (athlete's foot, body ringworm)
Spreads in a ring with a red, raised edge, while the center looks healed
We consider antifungal creams. Using steroid cream on your own can make it worse
Tinea versicolor
Patches lighter or browner than the surrounding skin on the chest or back, with mild itching
We consider antifungal creams or oral medication
Heat rash
Small red bumps where you sweat, which improve when you cool down
The focus is on ventilation and managing sweat
Insect bites
A likely bite with a puncture mark in the center, strong itching and swelling
Watch out for bacterial infection from scratching
Contact dermatitis
Redness with a clear edge, only where the skin touched a particular substance
We identify the cause and consider treatment to reduce inflammation
Dengue rash
A rash spreading over the whole body after a high fever, with joint pain and pain behind the eyes
For a rash with fever, please consult us early, as it may be an infection
* This is not a complete list. If you're not sure, please consult us.
When it might be something else
Course
Typical course
This is the general course. Actual progress varies from person to person.
- Onset to a few days
Itching and redness begin
The basics are not scratching and keeping the area clean and dry
- 1–2 weeks
With proper care, it often starts to improve at this stage
It's important to keep using creams for the period instructed, even after symptoms disappear
- 2 weeks to 1 month
With fungal infections, the fungus may remain even when the skin looks healed
Stopping on your own makes it more likely to come back
- If it doesn't improve
The diagnosis may be different, or another factor may be involved
Please consult us before switching creams
Local Insight
For people living in Southeast Asia
The climate, healthcare and access to medication differ from Japan. Here are points specific to this region.
It has been reported that about 3 in 10 adults who move to a tropical environment develop heat rash, and symptoms may get worse a few months after arrival. The basic approach is to avoid letting sweat build up.
Heat and humidity make fungal infections more likely, such as ringworm (athlete's foot, jock itch, body ringworm) and tinea versicolor caused by Malassezia. If you assume it's eczema and only use steroid cream, it can get worse, so telling them apart is important.
Infections that cause rashes, such as dengue, chikungunya and measles, occur in this region. A rash with fever shouldn't be treated as just a skin problem.
In areas where rabies occurs, such as the Philippines and Thailand, if you are bitten or licked by a dog, cat, monkey or other animal, it's important to wash the area immediately with soap and running water and see a medical facility promptly to discuss post-exposure prevention.
Care
What Cotovia can do
- Consultation and visual examination as needed (such as sharing photos)
- Prescriptions for creams, ointments and anti-allergy medication (prescribing is at the doctor's discretion)
- Referral to in-person care for wounds or burns that need treatment
Tests you may have
Not knowing what will happen can make people hesitate to seek care, so here's what actually takes place.
Visual examination
Narrowing down the cause from the shape, spread and color of the rash
Microscopic fungal test
Checking whether fungi are present
Blood test
Assessing allergies and the possibility of infection
Patch test
Identifying the substance causing contact dermatitis
Treatment options
Antifungal cream
Stops fungi from growing
It needs to be continued for the period instructed, even after symptoms disappear. Prescribing is at the doctor's discretion
Steroid cream
Reduces inflammation and itching
It can make fungal infections worse. Please don't use it on your own
Antihistamines
Eases itching
Some types cause drowsiness, so let us know if you plan to drive
Moisturizing and skin care
Maintains the skin barrier
Depending on your symptoms, the priority may be protecting against dryness or improving ventilation
* Tests, procedures and prescriptions are decided by the doctor after a consultation. Services may vary by country and location.
Preparation
Before your visit
When seeing a doctor abroad, simply organizing what you need to say makes a big difference.
What to bring
- Passport or residence card
- Insurance card and your insurer's contact details
- Creams you've used so far (the actual items or photos)
- Photos from when symptoms started, if you have them
What to tell us
- When and where it started
- How itchy it is and when it gets worse
- What you've already applied and how it changed afterward
- Any new products you've started using (detergent, cosmetics, etc.)
- Whether you use pools, gyms or shared showers
Self Care
What you can do yourself
Along with seeing a doctor, here are things to keep in mind in daily life.
Prevention
- Dehumidify indoors and avoid letting sweat build up
- Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors
- Protect against sunburn (sunscreen, hat)
- Dry between your toes, and avoid shared sandals and towels
How to Consult
How to be seen
Choose from 3 ways to be seen, depending on your symptoms and schedule. If you're not sure, we'll guide you on LINE.
Online consultations
See a doctor by video call from home or the office. Medication delivered or from a pharmacy.
Available for this symptom
In-person care
In-person consultations at our clinics and partner hospitals, including tests and procedures.
Available for this symptom
Cotovia Counter
Support with an interpreter for visits to general hospitals.
Available for this symptom
If an online consultation finds that tests or procedures are needed, we'll guide you to in-person care or Cotovia Counter.
From consultation to receiving medication
Add us on LINE and consult
Tell us your symptoms, and we'll recommend the right way to be seen.
Book and be seen
See a doctor online or at the nearest location, with an interpreter present.
Receive your medication
Have it delivered or pick it up at a pharmacy or the clinic (varies by country).
Follow-up
You can also consult us on LINE about how you're doing afterward.
Special Care
People who need extra care
Children
Scratching can lead to bacterial infection. Keep your child's nails short, and see a doctor if redness or warmth spreads
Pregnant women
Some creams and oral medications can't be used. Be sure to tell us if you could be pregnant
People with diabetes
Skin infections may heal slowly and become more serious. Please consult us early
People with a rash and fever
It may be an infection such as dengue. Don't treat it yourself as a skin problem; see a doctor
FAQ
FAQ
Common questions before a visit, and common assumptions that lead people to judge for themselves.
QCan I send photos for a consultation?
Yes. Photos can be helpful for skin symptoms. If a wound or burn needs treatment, or a more detailed examination is needed, we'll guide you to in-person care.
QMy eczema cream isn't working.
It may be something like a fungal infection that needs a different type of cream. Rather than continuing on your own, please consult us.
QI was bitten by a dog. What should I do?
First wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, then see a medical facility as soon as possible. In areas where rabies occurs, prompt care is urgent.
QI keep getting heat rash.
The basics are rinsing off sweat often and wearing breathable clothing. If it doesn't improve, it may be another skin condition, so please consult us.
Common misconceptions
Myth Just put steroid cream on anything itchy
Fact Using steroids on a fungal infection changes how it looks, makes diagnosis harder and can make it worse
Myth You can stop the medication once the skin looks clear
Fact With fungal infections, fungi may remain in the skin, and stopping makes it more likely to come back
Myth Washing well will cure it
Fact Washing too much weakens the skin barrier. It's important to keep it clean and then dry
Myth Athlete's foot only affects the feet
Fact Ringworm can also affect the body, groin, hands and nails, and spreads especially easily in hot, humid conditions
Myth Skin care that works in Japan works the same here
Fact Care focused on preventing dryness can make trapped moisture worse in this region
Feel free to ask us on LINE first
It's fine to contact us even if you're not sure you need to see a doctor. We're available in Japanese 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Symptoms
- When it started
- Your country of residence
- How you'd like to be seen
Sending these 4 things helps us respond faster. It's fine if you don't have them all.
Ask us on LINE