Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)

Overview

Heat rash — also known as prickly heat and miliaria affects both adults and children, especially in hot, humid conditions.

Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped in the skin. Symptoms can range from small blisters to deep, inflamed lumps. Some forms of heat rash are very itchy.

Heat rash usually goes away once the skin cools down. Severe forms of the condition might need treatment from a health care provider.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heat rash are:

• Small raised spots
• An itchy, prickly feeling
• Mild swelling

Heat rash is typically found in skin folds and where clothing rub against the skin e.g., armpit, elbow creases and groin. In infants, it can appear on the neck, shoulder and chest. Heat rash cannot be passed on to other people.

Treatment

Treatment for mild heat rash is cooling the skin and avoiding exposure to the heat that caused the condition. Once the skin is cool, mild heat rash tends to clear quickly.

To keep your skin cool, one can wear loose cotton clothing, take cool showers and drink plenty of fluids.

To calm the itching or prickly feeling, apply calamine lotion, calamine lotion with menthol etc.

You can find our calamine lotion at our company’s website: https://www.beaconshealth.com/

When to see a doctor

See your doctor about a heat rash if the rash worsens or does not go away after a few days.

References

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-rash/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373282

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-heat-rash-basics