March 28 (iVillage Total Health) -- Itchy, red skin and rashes were a problem for an estimated 14 percent of adults between 1999 and 2004, according to a new study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The estimates are based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004. Adults between the ages of 20 and 59 were asked if they have had dermatitis, eczema or other types of red, inflamed skin rashes in the previous 12 months.

A skin rash is an area of inflammation, or a change in the texture or color of the skin (e.g., redness, itching, raised bumps). The rash can be caused by a number of factors, including irritation, disease or a reaction (allergic or non-allergic) to foods, chemicals, heat, plants, animals, insects or other environmental factors.

A basic skin rash is also known as dermatitis, a term that means inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis occurs when a person comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to relieve skin rash symptoms.

In the NHANES study, women were more likely than men to report skin rashes -- 15.1 percent of women verus 12.8 percent of men. Non-Hispanic white people (15.7 percent) were more likely than non-Hispanic black people (9.3 percent) or Mexican Americans (8.1 percent) to report having skin rashes.

The study appeared in the March 23 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by the CDC.

Copyright 2007 iVillage Total Health.