Some rashes, such as severe acne , may cause permanent scarring of the skin. Other rashes may become infected because of skin breakdown. In very rare cases, such as with severe allergic skin reactions, rashes can even result in death. For most rashes, the long-term effects are related to the underlying cause. For instance, cancer or serious infections that cause rashes may result in death.
Rashes associated with pregnancy often go away after delivery and have no long-term effects.
In some cases, a rash can be contagious and spread to others. In most cases, however, a rash poses no risk to others. Affected skin should be kept clean, especially if there is skin breakdown. Specific treatment depends on the cause. For instance, those with infections may need antibiotic pills or creams applied to the rash.