Heat Rash - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Heat rash, or prickly heat or miliaria, is a mild skin condition that produces an itchy, burning sensation generally caused by obstruction of the ducts of the sweat glands, resulting from excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. This results in tiny bumps surrounded by pink or red area on the skin. It usually occurs on clothed parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen, neck, upper chest, groin or armpits and goes away on its own within a few days. In severe forms, however, heat rash can interfere with the body's heat-regulating mechanism and cause fever, heat exhaustion, and even death. It is a common condition in hot and humid conditions, such as in the tropics and during the summer season. Although it affects people of all ages, it is especially common in children and infants due to their underdeveloped sweat glands.

Heat rash, also known as "prickly heat" or "summer rash," is an eruption of little bumps (and sometimes tiny blisters) on the skin that can show up when your baby overheats. It shows up most often in folds of the skin and on parts of the body where clothing fits snugly. These places include the chest, stomach, neck, crotch, and buttocks; if your child wears hats, the rash may even spread across his scalp or forehead. Children are more likely than adults to develop heat rash. Heat rash is not a serious condition and can be easily treated by keeping the affected area cool and dry.

Causes of Heat Rash

Find common causes and risk factors of Heat Rash :

• Older children can get it with exercise.
• Tropical areas is also a major risk factor for the occurrence of the disease
• Lots of children get it during hot , humid weather, when sweat glands are overworked.
• Heat rash is usually caused by overheating of the skin . The skin overheats when the pores are clogged as a result of excessive sweating. This blocks sweat glands.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Rash

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Skin prickling .
• Skin itching.
• Clusters of red bumps.
• Small red bumps.
• Swelling .
• Pinhead-sized red pimples.

Treatment for Heat Rash

Treatment may include:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Calamine lotion or prickly rash lotions can be used to soothe the affected areas, but avoid ointments or creams as they keep the skin warm and moist and may make the condition worse.
• Avoid exposure to heavy sunlight.
• Hydrocortisone cream is also a treatment for heat rash.
• Frequent cool showers and a thorough drying are effrective for the treatment of heat rashes.
• The affected person should stay in a cool,air-conditioned or well-ventilated environment.
• Steroid creams containing hydrocortisone should be applied 3-times daily to rash to relieve itching and irritation.
• If your skin is irritable to touch, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream may be used with your health professional's approval.

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