Heat rash (prickly heat) – NHS

Heat rash is uncomfortable, but usually harmless. It usually gets better on its own after a few days.

Check if you have heat rash

The symptoms of heat rash are:

• small, raised spots
• an itchy, prickly feeling
• mild swelling

The rash often looks red, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.

The symptoms of heat rash are often the same in adults and children.

It can appear anywhere on the body and spread, but it cannot be passed on to other people.

Heat rash appears as raised spots that are 2mm to 4mm across. Some spots may be filled with fluid.

Credit:

CID – ISM / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www. sciencephoto.com/media/1036411/view

If you’re not sure if your child has heat rash

Look at other rashes in children.

How you can treat or prevent heat rash yourself

The main thing to do is keep your skin cool so you do not sweat and irritate the rash.

To keep your skin cool

• wear loose cotton clothing
• use lightweight bedding
• take cool baths or showers
• drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration

To calm the itching or prickly feeling

• apply something cold, such as a damp cloth or ice pack (wrapped in a tea towel) for up to 20 minutes
• tap or pat the rash instead of scratching it
• do not use perfumed shower gels or creams

A pharmacist can help with heat rash

Speak to a pharmacist about heat rash. They can give advice and suggest the best treatment to use.

A pharmacist might recommend:

• calamine lotion
• antihistamine tablets
• hydrocortisone cream – though not for children under 10 or pregnant women as they need to get advice from a doctor before using this treatment

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• the rash does not improve after a few days
• your baby has a rash and you’re worried

Causes of heat rash

Heat rash is usually caused by excessive sweating.

Sweat glands get blocked and the trapped sweat leads to a rash developing a few days later.

Babies often get heat rash because they cannot control their temperature as well as adults and children can.

Page last reviewed: 15 February 2021
Next review due: 15 February 2024

How to Get Rid of a Heat Rash: Treatment, Remedies, and More

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You may be able to relieve heat rash with products like hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines. Some home remedies, including cold baths and using air conditioning, may help the heat rash go away.

Heat rash is a painful skin condition that often occurs in hot weather.

The symptoms of heat rash include small clusters of tiny, raised bumps on discolored, irritated skin. A prickly, burning or itchy sensation may also accompany heat rash.

Heat rash is also known as prickly heat, sweat rash, or miliaria rubra.

Although it can appear anywhere on the body, heat rash often appears around skin folds, including:

• in the neck
• near the groin
• under the arms

Heat rash occurs when excessive sweating blocks sweat pores. You’re most likely to get heat rash if you live in a hot, humid climate. Babies are particularly likely to get heat rash, especially if they’re overdressed.

Most of the time, heat rash isn’t serious and often goes away in cool temperatures. However, it can be very uncomfortable and can get worse if excessive sweating continues.

Let’s take a look at several ways you can soothe heat rash at home.

Your doctor may recommend several over-the-counter or prescription medications to treat heat rash.

Ointments

A doctor may recommend you use ointments such as calamine lotion to treat the symptoms of heat rash. This lotion has a number of benefits for the skin, partly because it contains zinc oxide.

It can help treat heat rash by soothing itchiness. Dab some calamine lotion onto your rash using a cotton pad. Reapply as needed.

A range of calamine lotions is available for purchase online.

Antihistamines

Over-the-counter antihistamines — whether topical or oral — can relieve the itching associated with heat rash. If you’re giving an antihistamine to a child, be sure to talk with your pediatrician or pharmacist about which types are best.

Steroid creams

Hydrocortisone cream, a type of corticosteroid, may help relieve symptoms of heat rash. It’s available over the counter at any pharmacy and can be applied once or twice a day to soothe itching.

While you can use it short term on your baby’s skin, don’t apply it under the diaper. It could further irritate the skin.

Learn more about hydrocortisone cream for babies here.

There are many home remedies for heat rash. Some soothe your skin or cool it down, while others reduce inflammation and itching while preventing infection.

It’s important not to scratch your rash. Scratching can lead to more irritation and possibly an infection.

Cool baths and showers

Heat rash usually eases up after the skin is cooled down. Bathing in cool water can help with this. Washing the skin gently can also unclog the pores. This is crucial since clogged pores contribute to heat rash.

Ensure that you dry your skin properly after bathing. Skin that’s left wet can become irritated.

Fans and air conditioners

While your skin heals, avoid excessive sweating and humid air. Ventilation is important in letting your rash dry out and stay cool. When possible, stay in an air-conditioned room, or use an air fan.

Light, moisture-wicking clothes

As your skin heals itself, it’s essential to avoid clothing that irritates your skin or makes you sweat more. Moisture-wicking clothing that’s light and loose-fitting can help your skin heal without irritating it.

Look for certain polyesters and other synthetic fabrics designed for fitness and sporting activities. These will be particularly suited for wicking moisture.

Cotton, while not a moisture-wicking fabric, is quite breathable. It might be comfortable to wear as well.

Ice packs or cold cloths

Cold compresses are great for soothing irritated skin. Face cloths soaked in cold water, or ice wrapped in a cloth, can reduce the pain and irritation associated with heat rash.

Here’s more information about making your own cold compress.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal can be effective at reducing itching and inflammation. This makes it a useful home remedy for heat rash and several other skin conditions.

Put 1 or 2 cups of oatmeal in a lukewarm bath and soak for 20 minutes. Make sure the water isn’t hot, so you don’t further irritate your skin.

You can also make a paste with oatmeal and water and apply it to your skin. Mix 1 part oatmeal to 1 part water, and mix until it forms a paste.

You can shop for soothing colloidal oatmeal here.

Sandalwood

Research suggests sandalwood is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, meaning it may reduce pain. Sandalwood powder mixed with a little water and applied to the rash can reduce the burning, painful sensation associated with heat rash.

Mix 2 parts sandalwood powder with 1 part water to make a pastelike substance. Before applying it to your rash, test it on a small patch of unbroken skin. If you don’t react after an hour, you should apply it to the rash without any further issues.

You can buy sandalwood powder online here.

Baking soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can soothe itchy skin. It’s also something most of us have in our pantry. This makes it a great home remedy for heat rash and other itchy skin conditions.

Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of baking soda to a lukewarm bath and soak for about 20 minutes.

Learn more about using baking soda on your skin here.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that can cool down the skin while preventing infections. This can help soothe swelling and pain. Use aloe vera gel directly on your heat rash to relieve the discomfort.

Find aloe vera gel here.

Unscented talcum powder

Talcum powder reduces sweat by absorbing perspiration. In turn, this ensures the pores aren’t blocked.

Use unscented talcum powder, as scents might irritate your skin. Apply a little on sweat-prone areas like your underarms, backs of your knees, and inner thighs. Coat the skin and let it sit as if it were an antiperspirant deodorant.

Find talcum powder here.

Neem

Neem (margosa) can help treat a number of skin rashes. Some research has shown it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, human studies are limited.

You can combine neem powder with water to make a paste. This paste can be applied to the rash, left on for a few minutes, and washed off. You can also add neem powder to a lukewarm bath.

Epsom salt

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) has a range of claimed health benefits. According to anecdotal accounts, a lukewarm bath with a cup or two of Epsom salt may relieve itchiness.

If you give a child an Epsom salt bath, make sure they don’t swallow any water. When consumed orally, Epsom salt is a laxative. In excess, it can cause diarrhea.

You can buy Epsom salt online here.

Provided there are no complications, your heat rash should disappear within a few days of starting home treatment.

The rate it takes to disappear depends on how severe the rash was initially and whether you’re treating it effectively. If your rash worsens after a few days, you may need to speak to a healthcare provider.

While there are a number of effective home remedies for heat rash, you might need a doctor’s guidance if any complications occur.

You should also contact your doctor if a rash doesn’t go away within a week of starting treatment, or if you start to develop a rash after starting any new medication.

You should also consult your doctor if a rash seems infected. Symptoms of infected skin include:

• pus
• oozing
• white or yellowish fluid
• increased pain
• swelling

Take your child or baby to the doctor immediately if they have:

• fever
• sore throat
• muscle aches
• any other flu-like symptoms

Since heat rash occurs when your body overheats and sweats, you can prevent heat rashes by staying cool.

To prevent heat rashes, take the following precautions on hot days:

• Stay in air-conditioned, cool areas.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t wear excessive layers of clothing.
• Avoid too much physical exertion.
• Take cool showers or baths.

Parents should ensure that children and babies stay cool, hydrated, and dressed comfortably. Be sure you’re changing your baby’s diaper frequently, too. Wetness can contribute to heat rash.

Should heat rash occur, there is a range of home remedies available to treat it. These include cold showers and compresses, as well as a variety of ointments and medications.

Acute urticaria – allergic skin reaction

Urticaria appears as raised, well-circumscribed areas of erythema (redness) and swelling of the skin, which is very itchy. The intensity of itching can vary from mild to severe. Red spots on the skin can take any shape: be linear, round or oval, arcuate

Urticaria can appear anywhere on the body, while itchy spots can change shape, migrate, disappear and reappear within short periods of time. However, recognizing this condition is quite simple – urticaria has one characteristic symptom: the center of the spots turns pale when pressed . At the same time, this does not mean that urticaria cannot be confused with any other of the many dermatological diseases that are similar in symptoms. So, it happens that only an experienced doctor can make a diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis of urticaria:

allergic contact dermatitis atopic dermatitis (eczema) erythema multiforme scabies Schonlein-Henoch disease (a form of allergic vasculitis) mastocytosis lichen pink.

Symptoms of urticaria can last from a few minutes to several months or even years (then we are talking about chronic urticaria). Usually spots with clear edges appear on the skin unexpectedly and disappear just as suddenly. If these symptoms last less than six weeks, urticaria is classified as acute.

Acute generalized urticaria

Acute generalized urticaria stands out separately, which is distinguished by a larger area of ​​spots on the body. In some cases, itchy patches or rashes can cover the entire body. Another specific point: the cause of acute generalized urticaria often cannot be established. According to some sources, the cause of this condition is not determined in more than 60% of cases.

Known/common triggers of acute generalized urticaria

Infections (eg, upper respiratory infections, pharyngitis, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, fungal infections such as dermatophytosis, malaria, amoebiasis, hepatitis, mononucleosis, HIV, parasitic infections, such as ascariasis or trichinosis Foods (most commonly shellfish, fish, eggs, cheese, chocolate, nuts, berries, tomatoes) Drugs: penicillins, sulfonamides, salicylates, NSAIDs, codeine, antihistamines Environmental factors (eg , pollen, chemicals, dust, mold), and exposure to cold or heat Exposure to latex Emotional stress Physical overexertion

How acute urticaria develops

Upon contact with a trigger (irritant), the body reacts by releasing large amounts of the inflammatory mediator histamine, as well as a number of other pro-inflammatory molecules (cytokines). In the case of urticaria, they accumulate under the surface of the skin, affect the permeability of the vessels, which begin to leak fluid. The fluid accumulates in the skin and causes rashes, itching, redness, and other unpleasant symptoms.

In some cases, the trigger for urticaria is obvious, such as peanuts or shrimp. Acute hives can be caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicine, cosmetics, or soap, as well as infections, insect bites, or environmental factors (such as heat, cold, pressure, exercise, sunlight) and stress.

Many cases of urticaria require long-term investigation, as this condition can provoke many different causes, so medical supervision is indispensable. Your doctor may order a variety of skin tests to look for a trigger. They should only be performed under strict medical supervision in a clinic with the proper equipment, as many cases of allergic reactions carry the risk of anaphylaxis.

Causes and treatment of itching in pimples

Most instructions on how to get rid of pimples start with the simple rule of keeping your hands away from your face

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It seems like a simple rule, but, unfortunately, it is not easy to control this habit. Especially if the skin is irritated and the pimples itch.

Let’s talk about why this happens and how to protect the face from the appearance of new inflamed acne.

Normal reaction

to irritation

Redness and swelling of the skin at the site of a pimple is the result of the immune system fighting bacteria that actively multiply in the sebaceous hair follicle in acne. The body tries to get rid of them by increasing blood flow to clogged pores. The purpose of this reaction is to deliver leukocytes to the damaged area as soon as possible and suppress the activity of pathogenic bacteria. This is how red pimples form, which itch and cause a slight tingling sensation.

If acne does not cause constant discomfort, but only periodically reminds of itself with a slight itch, this is a normal reaction to the inflammatory process.

The correct tactic in such cases is not to injure the skin, especially with sharp nails, and try not to touch the face, since even slight pressure on the skin can provoke an increase and spread of the inflammatory process. The best thing you can do is let your skin deal with the problem on its own. Then there is a high probability that acne will pass without a trace, leaving no dark spots and scars.

Signs you should definitely see a doctor

• rash shortly after eating certain foods or medications;
• fever and general malaise simultaneously with the appearance of numerous small pimples that itch;
• severe reddening of the skin, burning sensation and blistering;
• rapid spread of the rash over a large area of ​​the skin.

Redness and itching are symptoms that are not unique to the inflammatory elements of acne. They can be signs of a severe allergic reaction and some skin conditions (such as dermatitis or eczema).

If the redness does not look like the usual pimples on the face or body, the skin itches and this causes severe discomfort, you need to see a doctor – it’s not worth the risk of trying to relieve irritation at home.

How to prevent

pimples that itch?

Don’t panic

If a new itchy pimple appears on your face, don’t try to get rid of it immediately. Sharp actions only injure the skin. In most cases, it is enough to take a deep breath and wait a couple of minutes for the itching to go away along with the annoying desire to scratch your face.

Do not save on vitamins

Complex vitamins with a high content of zinc, copper, iron stimulate the renewal of skin cells and inhibit the formation of comedones. Vitamins A and E in capsules will help speed up the recovery of injured skin (the beneficial properties of vitamin E are enhanced with the simultaneous intake of selenium)

Avoid tanning

Ultraviolet rays damage the layer of the epidermis where new skin cells grow and mature. The renewal processes slow down, the skin itches, the exfoliating scales of the stratum corneum clog the ducts of the sebaceous hair follicles.

To avoid this, make it a rule to use cosmetics with SPF and moisturize your skin daily.

What to do if acne has already appeared?

First of all, don’t get upset and stay calm. In a state of stress, we touch our face more often, small pimples itch, and irritation only intensifies.

Complex therapy will help to solve the problem, including topical application of antibacterial drugs, for example, Zerkalin® lotion solution (1% solution of the antibiotic clindamycin).

Zerkalin® has an antibacterial effect – inhibits the activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the sebaceous hair follicle. The lotion solution eliminates the causes of inflammation that causes redness and itching of acne.

The alcohol base of Zerkalin® facilitates the deep penetration of the active substance into the skin and additionally “dries out” the inflammatory elements of acne.

To achieve the best result, it is important to act according to the plan: apply the drug 2 times a day (morning and evening) for 6-8 weeks. The lotion solution is applied to dry, clean skin.