Heat Rash Symptoms and Natural Treatments

If you’ve lived through a hot summer season, it’s quite likely you’ve suffered from prickly heat or heat rash. And if you have small kids, it’s likely that they have come back home after a few hours in the sun with some red rashes crawling over their back. These are heat rashes that burst through the skin, especially in places that are hot and sweaty.

What causes heat rash?

These are groups of small red eruptions or dots that feel itchy on the skin. They are also known as miliaria or prickly heat, and are quite common in children and infants. Heat rash is usually not a serious condition and can clear up in some days. Heat, sweat and humidity are the main causes of heat rash. And they pop up in the long, hot summer months. People with sensitive skin are more prone to getting this heat rash. These are generally the causes of heat rash.

Symptoms of heat rash:

• If you feel that you have heat rash, look for red rashes within the folds of the skin or places that have been covered with clothes. Your skin may also be red as well as itchy. Rashes can appear in the places where sweat glands are blocked. Some of the common areas where these rashes pop up are the elbows, knees, groin, armpits, torso, shoulders, and the neck.

• Heat rash symptoms also include a stinging and burning sensation. The rashes feel itchy and prickly.

• Heat rashes are common in children who play for a long time in the hot sun, and in people who dress a little too warmly for the hot season.

• While heat rashes are not serious, you should think of calling up a doctor if there is a swelling or any infection. The patch of skin might also be hot to the touch, and this might be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and fever.

Prevent Heat Rash:

• As they say “prevention is better than cure”. Here are a few tips to help you avoid heat rash.

• Do not overdress. You should not wear synthetic clothes in the muggy weather. Wear cotton clothes that aren’t tight when you exercise. Natural fibers are known to soak the sweat from the skin.

• As you get dressed sprinkle talcum powder or medicated cooling powder on your skin, especially in the folds of the skin. This will keep the skin dry, and prevent sweat from accumulating in the folds of the skin.
• Try to remain indoors with the air conditioner or the fan turned on.
• Take cooling baths frequently to wash off the sweat and cool your body.