HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

How can i tell if i have a skin infection or allergic dermatitis?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. David Sax answered

Itching or soreness: One simple way to differentiate between allergic dermatitis vs. Skin infection is if the area is itchy. Allergic dermatitis will typically be scaly and itchy. Skin infections are normally red, swollen, tender, and not itchy. This rule is not always 100%.

Dr Hwang agreed

Answered 6/6/2014

5.7k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I have a skin infection and need an antibiotic but allergic to penicillin? What antibiotic is good?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can i get hepatitis or another infection by touching a public surface then scratching a rash and breaking skin causing it to bleed?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Would an allergic dermatitis rash on my face for 6+ mnths cause permanent skin damage? My skin has lost elasticity and is sagging. I am 25

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Red, swollen, itchy eyelids. Is it dermatitis? Or something else? 34 male, n/s other wise healthy, not allergic, very rare seasonal. Every so often my lids swell up, get itchy, the skin gets a little peely. The doc gave me dermasmooth, and said I should u

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have regular skin fungal infection, can you please tell me one time solution to stop this?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

How do I know the difference between a fungal infection and a contact dermatitis or some other infection in a skin flap (large weight loss )?
I have rsd/crps & have more trouble with changes in my hair, nail & skin and infections than the pain. Seems like seborrheic dermatitis. Severe. 41y f?
Is it possible for a bad tooth to cause skin problems? Been getting staph infections, pimples, whiteheads, dermatitis for a few months
Skin Rash due to allergy can spread further even if trigger is removed or only infection can spread not allergical skin rash? Comments?
I am just curious if skin rash and cellulitis are the same infection?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.