Heat rashes are a common skin disease in the summer in which skin feels prickly due to heating and turn red. It can bother you a lot, but it is not dangerous. It mainly occurs in the closed area like the armpit, neck, chest, etc. its symptoms reduce when your skin cools.
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People are at higher risk
Heat rashes can occur in any age people. But newborns, elders, and obese people with a large area with skin on skin contact are at a higher risk. These people are at higher risk if their skin is not contacted with circulating air.
People who live in hot and humid climates are also at high risk of heat rash.
Excessive exercise is also associated with heavy sweating, which may cause heat rash.
Causes
It is a skin disease caused by sweat trapped under the skin due to the blockage of the sweat gland. After that sweat leeks into other surrounding tissues which can cause irritation.
It is a common disease mainly occur in humid and hot condition. It affects all ages people, but it is more common in infants and children.
- Tight clothing can make it hard to evaporate sweats.
- Too much use of creams can clog the sweat gland.
- Overheating
- Physical activities
Signs and symptoms
Its symptoms include
- Red rashes often called papules which are irritated and itchy, mostly appear on the upper chest, neck, under the scrotum, under the breasts, and the parts which rub against clothing.
- Folliculitis in which hair follicles become clogged.
- Itchy and prickly feeling to the skin.
Types of heat rashes
1. Miliaria crystalline (clear)
Miliaria crystalline is a mild clinical presentation, in this small tiny blister-like lesions appear on the skin. It is not associated with inflammatory reactions.
2. Miliaria Rubra (red)
It is the most common illness in which sweats leaks into the deeper layer of the epidermis causes local inflammatory reactions that giving rise to the big (few mm) blister-like lesions.
Miliaria Rubra accompanied by intense itching and lack of sweating (anhidrosis) to the affected areas.
But there is a small risk of heat exhaustion due to anhidrosis. It is also known as heat rash and prickly heat.
3. Miliaria profunda (deep)
Miliaria profunda is the most severe form of Miliaria. It is painful than others due to the rapid spread and severe burning of sensation. You can feel rapid episodes of Miliaria profunda.
In this blockage occurs deep in the sweat gland, which causes sweat leaks between the superficial and deep layers of the skin. Its symptoms occur within hours of sweating, but also fade away within an hour when sweating is removed.
4. Miliaria pustulosa
In Miliaria pustulosa pustules occur due to bacterial inflammation and bacterial infection.
5. Postmiliarial hypohidrosis
This condition occurs due to snag of pores and sweat ducts. These are severe and can affect the individual ability to perform work in a hot environment.
6. Tropical anhidrotic asthenia
It is a rare form of miliaria and associated with a long-lasting poral blockage which causes heat retention and anhidrosis.
7. Occlusion miliaria
This condition causes increased heat-stress susceptibility and Anhidrosis. This Occlusion can last for 48 hours or longer.
8. Colloid milium (Colloid Degeneration of the Skin)
It is a rare condition characterized by the development of pseudovesicles and 1-5mm of papules.
Prevention of heat rashes
You can prevent heat, rashes by simply using these techniques
- Keep your body cool.
- Expose your skin to circulating air.
- Use air conditioners and fans during summer.
- Keep your skin clean.
- Keep care of the body parts where the skin overlaps.
- Avoid intense exercises when the weather is hot.
- Dry your skin continuously.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes in hot and humid weather.
- Keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid the use of oil-based creams or lotion.
Treatment
In most cases, heat rashes resolve without any treatments. The first remedy for heat rash is some lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle changes
- Wear light and loose clothes so your sweat can evaporate away from your skin.
- Use an air conditioner or fan to keep your body cool.
- Bath in cool water, use non-dry soap, and let your skin dry by air instead of using a towel.
- Use calamine lotion and Talcum powder, an itchy and irritated skin.
- If you have some kind of rashes avoid sweat- provoking activities.
Ointment
- you should u
se topical antibacterials especially if you have miliaria Rubra. - Use anti-itch preparations such as calamine lotion or camphor-based preparations.
- Use vitamin A and C supplements (but there is very little scientific evidence that supports this fact.)
- Prickly heat powder, which contains drying milk protein and Triclosan.
- Heat rash cream Calamine lotion is used to relieve itching and discomfort from small skin irritation. You can use calamine lotion for treating heat rashes. You should use these creams only externally not internally. for more click here.
In case if rashes are developed into pustular lesions then you should consult your doctor because of this need medical treatment.
12 Home remedies for treating heat rashes instantly
1. Ice cubes
The ice cube is the best natural treatment against prickly heat because heat rashes are due to heat, ice can cool your skin, which helps in reducing the pain, inflammation, and swelling.
2. Fuller’s earth
Multani mitti is also very beneficial for prickly heat, it also has a cooling effect and it feels good.
Mix 4 tablespoon with rose water to form a paste and directly apply on the affected area and wash it after 3-4 hours in cold water.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera plants with thousands of benefits. It is also very effective in the healing of heat rashes. It helps in healing rashes instantly due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It will reduce the inflammation and it works quickly. Apart from inflammation and healing, it also relieves itching, reduces redness, and soothes the skin.
- Extract gel from Aloe Vera leaves.
- Apply on the affected area.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda has the antibacterial property which prevents further infection. It also relieves pain.
Mix some water and baking soda. Dip a cloth in the solution and directly apply on your rashes.
5. Potato
The potato will help in reducing the itchiness and reduce the inflammation.
6. Chickpea flour
Mix chick flour with water and form a paste. Apply this directly on the rashes and wash after 15 minutes.
It can provide instant relief from itchy, pain, and inflammation.
7. Sandalwood
You may have heard about this. Sandalwood has a calming and soothing effect on the skin.
Mix an equal amount of Sandal powder, Rosewater, and Coriander powder and make a paste. Apply to this on the affected area by rashes and then wash with cool water.
This helps in reducing the pain and inflammation instantly.
8. Margosa
Margosa can provide instant relief from rashes.
Mash some margosa leaves with water and apply the paste on the affected areas. Wash after 30 min with cold water.
9. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has a soothing effect on the skin. It is very effective for rashes or more hurtful burn.
The daily use of coconut oil multiple times a day can help cure skin reactions.
Apply it with a light hand on rashes for a few days in the allergic area.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal works effectively against skin irritation and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also most beneficial against rashes caused by eczema, chickenpox, allergies, sunburn, etc.
11. Lemon
Initially, if you already itched away at the rashes, it might burn you due to it citric acid content. But soon, it would soothe once it dries off.
Simply squeeze lemon juice on the rash and let it dry. It would work.
12. Olive oil
It acts as a natural moisturizer which speeds up the healing process and stimulates skin renewal. It also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E. it will also reduce itching and soothe your skin. It also acts as a cleanser and aids your immune system.
Simply just rub extra virgin olive oil a few times a day. It will heal your rashes completely.
[expand title=”Source”]Wikipedia “heat rash” “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miliaria#Types”Miliaria. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/miliaria.html.[/expand]