Heat rash is often referred to as prickly heat or miliaria. It is a common skin condition that often occurs during the summer or in climates where the weather is typically hot and humid. Heat rash can affect people of all ages. It is a mild skin condition and usually causing only slight discomfort.
Features
Heat rash occurs when a person sweats excessively. When the pores get clogged due to excess sweat, a heat rash develops. Heat rashes develop more easily in the summer season not only due to the hot weather but also because people spend more time outdoors and are actively engaged in a variety of activities.
Identification
Heat rash appears as tiny dots that resemble pimples. The skin has a reddish appearance. The fine rash may be itchy and/or have a burning sensation. There may also be a prickly or tingling sensation to the skin.
Features
Heat rash can develop on any area of the body. But it appears mostly on the face, neck, forehead and in folds of the skin such as under the breasts where the area is covered with clothing and perspiration does not evaporate as quickly.
Risk Factors
Although anyone may develop a heat rash at any age, infants may tend to get heat rash because parents overdress them. Parents often do this in an attempt to prevent the child from getting sick and to protect the child from the heat of the sun. Parents do not realize that the child may be too warm. Infants also tend to develop heat rash in the folds of their skin such as the area under the chin and the folds of the thighs where they tend to sweat quite a bit. Those areas of the body receive little exposure to air.
Effects
Heat rash normally clears up on its own within a few days. It can be treated with calamine lotion to ease the itching and burning sensation. Cornstarch powder can also alleviate the discomfort and help dry the rash up more quickly. Place a cool compress on the affected area for relief of itching and burning. Allow the area to be exposed to air if possible. For example, if the heat rash is on the neck and you have long hair pull the hair up to allow air flow to the skin.
Significance
There are a few steps you can take during hot, humid weather to help prevent heat rash. Keep the environment cool with air conditioning and fans. Avoid going outdoors during the hottest part of the day if possible. Wear light, loose fitting clothing in fabrics such as cotton that allow perspiration to evaporate. Take frequent cool showers or baths. Use a powder that contains cornstarch after bathing.
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