Rashes treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

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Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

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Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. The healthcare provider will want to discuss your medical history, as well as any symptoms or signs of rashes that you’re experiencing.
Because there are so many conditions that can cause rashes, the healthcare provider may suggest additional testing so that they can provide a clear diagnosis for your rashes. They may also refer you to a dermatologist, who has the expertise to identify the specific type of rash you’re experiencing.
Once you have a diagnosis for your rashes, the healthcare provider can suggest appropriate treatments for your rashes based on their type and severity.

Rashes are typically areas of irritated, itchy, or swollen skin that can appear on any area of the body. They can also be described as changes in skin colour or texture, usually resulting from inflammation.

There are many different causes for rashes, with varying levels of severity. Some develop right away, while others can form over several days. Most will clear up fairly quickly. However, some are chronic and may require long-term treatment.

In some cases, the doctor may use the shape or appearance of the rashes to help with diagnosing the condition. They may use terms like “linear”, “circular”, or “ring-shaped” to describe your rash. The healthcare provider will also note the specific location, size, and severity of your rash symptoms.

There is a wide array of different types of rashes, each with their own unique causes. Apart from their shape, size, and location, the following include some common signs of rashes to watch for:

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Infection of the areas with broken skin
• Dry, scaly, or crusted skin
• Skin that may thicken and become leathery from scratching
• Fluid-filled blisters that may ooze when scratched
• Tenderness or pain around affected areas

There are a wide range of triggers that can cause rashes.

Some rashes can be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections and these rashes may be contagious.

Other types of rashes are caused by various factors such as:

• Medications
• Allergic Reactions
• Reactions to chemical irritants
• Diseases
• Autoimmune conditions
• Prolonged exposure to wind or sun
• Exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
• Stress or other strong emotions
• Poisonous plants
• Animal or insect bites
• Certain cosmetics or clothing dyes

In order to provide a clear diagnosis for your rashes, the healthcare provider will want to perform a physical exam and discuss your medical history. They’ll also want to discuss your known allergies, as well as any potential exposure that could be causing your rashes.

In addition to evaluating the signs of rashes that you’re experiencing, the healthcare provider may schedule additional testing, before offering a diagnosis for the cause of your rash. This could involve taking a tissue scraping or having a culture test performed on fluid from blisters or lesions to identify their direct cause.

Sometimes, the healthcare provider may suggest that you visit a dermatologist, who specializes in identifying rashes

Once you have a clear diagnosis for your rashes, the healthcare provider or dermatologist can suggest appropriate treatments for your rashes.

The type of rash treatments that your healthcare provider suggests will depend on what they determine to be its direct cause.

In many cases, they may suggest prescription rash medications in the form of topical lotions or creams, meant to reduce your rash symptoms.

When the rash is caused by an infection or appears as a sign of a serious reaction, they may use stronger prescription rash medications. This could include antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine.

For serious allergic reactions, or certain animal or insect bites, you may require immediate medical attention, instead of simply seeking rash treatment. The goal in emergency treatment will be to stabilize your condition, control the reaction, and prevent infection, rather than focusing specifically on the rash.

If you’re experiencing rashes with severe symptoms, rashes that won’t go away or are becoming more serious, you should talk to a healthcare provider.

A healthcare provider from Maple will be able to help identify the reason you’re experiencing rashes, as well as refer you to a dermatologist, if necessary.

Together, your healthcare team can provide a clear diagnosis for rashes, as well as suggest rash treatments that are most appropriate for your condition. This includes any prescription rash medications that may be required, like antibiotics or medicated lotions.

If you’re showing signs of anaphylaxis, or have recently been bitten by an animal or insect that could be causing your condition, visit a hospital. You may require immediate medical attention to protect your health and well-being.