R
rash A general term for a broad range of SKIN
eruptions. A rash is a symptom rather than itself a
health condition and may accompany numerous
dermatologic or systemic conditions. Viral and
bacterial infections, immune and autoimmune
responses, toxic contacts, systemic illnesses,
chronic health conditions, and PARASITIC INFESTA-
TIONSoften cause rashes. Many rashes are so gen-
eralized that they are difficult to diagnose in the
absence of other symptoms. Some rashes are so
distinctive that their diagnosis requires no further
symptoms. Nearly all rashes go away when the
underlying health condition is resolved. Treatment
for the rash may consist of approaches to mitigate
symptoms, typically itching, and may include topi-
cal and oral ANTIHISTAMINE MEDICATIONS.
HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RASHadverse DRUG CHICKENPOX DERMATITIS
reaction DIAPER RASH FOOD ALLERGIES
HYPERSENSITIVITY LYME DISEASE MEASLES
REACTION MILIARIA parasitic
rheumatic FEVER RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS infestation
RUBELLA SCARLET FEVER STREP THROAT
See also BACTERIA; IMMUNE RESPONSE; INFECTION;
PRURITUS; PSORIASIS; VIRUS.
rhytidoplasty The clinical term for facelift, an
OPERATIONto smooth and tighten the SKINon the
face. Rhytidoplasty, also called rhytidectomy, is a
cosmetic surgery appropriate for treating moderate
to significant WRINKLESand sags on the face. There
are numerous variations of rhytidoplasty that tar-
get only certain regions of the face or the whole
face. Rhytidoplasty is generally an outpatient sur-
gery (AMBULATORY SURGERY) with the person going
home the same day. The operation generally takes
three to six hours, though can take longer for a
complex, total rhytidoplasty. Occasionally the sur-
geon may prefer to keep the person overnight in
the hospital.
Before the operation the surgeon carefully
marks the incision lines on the face with a surgical
marking pen or permanent marker. Rhytidoplasty
involves separating the skin from the underlying
tissues, trimming away excess fat as well as skin,
and reattaching the skin so it is tighter across the
supporting tissues. Depending on the type of oper-
ation, the surgeon may also bolster the supporting
tissues with suspension sutures to help them “lift”
the face.
Swelling, discoloration, and PAINare common
following surgery, though ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS
(pain relievers) can mitigate the pain. Many peo-
ple experience pulling and stretching sensations
during HEALING. Skin closures, usually sutures or
staples, remain for 7 to 10 days. Bruising and
swelling may remain for several weeks, as does
numbness of the skin. Full recovery takes several
months.
The risks of rhytidoplasty include excessive
bleeding during as well as after surgery, INFECTION,
permanent loss of sensation or NERVE damage,
excessive scarring, separation of the tissues, and
tissue death (NECROSIS). It is important to have
realistic expectations around what the surgery can
and cannot achieve and to understand the range
of variation that is possible with regard to the final
outcome. Though many people are satisfied with
their appearance when healing is complete, there
is an element of unpredictability as to the final
result. Rhytidoplasty does not prevent further
changes, such as those resulting from the natural
aging process, from occurring. People who wish to
maintain a specific appearance through cosmetic191