Not usually serious, but sometimes painful

Your skin is surprisingly resistant to a wide variety of assaults, but it's still susceptible to various invaders. Viruses, parasites, fungi, heat and medications can all cause skin rashes and eruptions.

Though not life-threatening, rashes are often bothersome, uncomfortable or even painful. Some, such as heat rash and swimmers' itch, clear up on their own. Others, including rosacea and drug rashes, require medical treatment. Here are common skin rashes, their causes and when you might need to see your doctor.