Heat rash (sometimes known as prickly heat) is a skin condition that occurs in infants and young children, mainly during hot weather.
What causes heat rash?
This rash, known as prickly heat or miliaria, occurs when sweat ducts become blocked due to excessive sweating. As a result, red spots or tiny blisters appear on the skin. This condition often flares up in the summer, in hot and humid weather. Wearing warm clothes made of synthetic fabrics can make the condition even worse.
Types of heat rash
There are several types of heat rash:
- Miliaria crystallina (clear heat rash) is the mildest type of heat rash. It affects the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis. In this case, you may see tiny, white, blister-like bumps on the baby's skin;
- Miliaria rubra (red heat rash) — this type of heat rash occurs deeper in the outer layer of the skin. Miliaria rubra is often called prickly heat; the skin around the rash becomes red, painful and itchy;
- Miliaria profunda (deep heat rash) — affects the deepest layer of the skin (the dermis). It is very rare in infants and children. It usually appears on the skin of the legs, arms and abdomen in adults.
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Symptoms of heat rash
Heat rash forms small reddish-pink blisters on the skin. These rashes look like tiny pimples. Because the rash is very noticeable, it sometimes worries parents. Heat rash does not lead to fever or other dangerous symptoms. However, in some cases, your child may feel uncomfortable due to itching from the rash.
The most common symptoms are as follows:
- It appears as pink or reddish raised bumps and a rash;
- In infants, it is most often found on the neck, armpits, elbow creases, and the diaper area;
- In toddlers and older children, the rash usually appears on the neck, chest, and waist area;
- The rash rarely occurs on the face, palms, or soles of the feet;
- Sometimes, heat rash can itch;
- If scratched, the rash tends to spread;
- On the skin of infants, heat rash appears in the form of tiny fluid-filled blisters.
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Treating heat rash
The rash usually does not pose a serious risk and clears up on its own within a few days. If the rash does not clear up within 3 days or gets worse, if it oozes pus or redness spreads around it, or if your child has a fever, is feeding less or becomes lethargic, see a doctor.
The following methods can help relieve the baby's discomfort and speed up recovery:
- Move the child to a cooler area at the first sign of heat rash;
- Keep the child's skin cool and dry;
- Apply a compress (a soft cloth folded into several layers and soaked in cool water) to the rash;
- Lightly moisten the child's skin with cool water, then gently dry it;
- To keep the skin cool, remove the baby's excess clothing and keep the room cool as well;
- Give the child plenty of fluids; it is recommended to breastfeed infants on demand and offer older children more water.
Important: Do not use various rash creams without a doctor's prescription. Because heat rash is not an allergic rash, medicated creams may not help.
Preventing heat rash
The following are recommended to reduce the risk of heat rash in babies:
- Dress babies appropriately for the season. There is no need to bundle them up in thick fabrics all the time, especially in hot weather;
- Choose loose-fitting, breathable clothing made of cotton;
- Keep babies out of direct sunlight;
- Keep babies in a cool place in hot weather. In extremely hot weather, cool the room using an air conditioner;
- Keep babies away from heaters or other heat sources;
- Watch for excessive sweating. If the baby's skin becomes red or is sweating, move them to a cooler place.
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