Heat rash is also denoted as miliaria or prickly heat and it doesn’t just happen to babies. Heat rash is common in infants but it can also affect adults, particularly during weather that is humid and hot.
This rash starts when the sweat glands are blocked and the perspiration is restrained under the skin. The symptoms or signs cross the spectrum from blisters that are superficial to red, deep lumps. Some types of heat rash can be prickly or have an intense itch.
This rash normally goes away on its own but severe forms of this rash might need medical treatment. But all in all the best way to relieve symptoms is to cool the skin as well as prevent sweating.
Symptoms of heat rash
Most adults normally get rash in their skin folds as well as where clothes cause friction. For infants, the rash develops on the chest, shoulders as well as the neck but it also can occur in the creases, groin, armpits, as well as elbows.
There are 3 kinds of miliaria, and are categorized by which sweat ducts are blocked. Symptoms as well as signs for each type differ.
Miliaria crystalline
is the kind of rash that affects ducts in the top layer of the skin. Miliaria crystalline is discernible by:
• Clear, tiny blisters that are superficial
• Bumps or papules that easily break
• Blisters are painful or itchy
• Clears by itself
• Returns when humid hot weather persists
• Mostly seen in newborns
• Adults can have also
Miliaria rubra
– occurs deep in the epidermis and is normally referred to as prickly heat. For adults this develops after exposure to humid hot weather or if they are confined to rest in bed. Infants develop this kind of rash in the middle of the 1st and 3rd weeks of age. Symptoms and signs normally include:
• Little or no sweating in the area
• Bumps that are red
• Prickly or itchy feeling in the area
Miliaria profunda
Less common and is seen mainly in adults who have recurrent cases of miliaria rubra. This rash disturbs the dermis and appears after exercising or an activity that creates sweating. Symptoms and signs include:
• Flesh colored, firm lesions resembling goose bumps
• Lack of sweat leading to heat exhaustion for instance nausea, dizziness, rapid pulse
Heat rash normally clears up on its own needing no medical management. See your physician if you or a child has symptoms lasting more than a few days or the rash looks to be getting worse or symptoms of infection such as:
• Increased pain
• Warmth or redness around area
• Swelling
• Pus filled lesions
• Fever or chills
• Lymph nodes in neck, armpit or groin swell
Causes of heat rash
Heat rash starts when some of the sweat ducts are clogged. Instead of perspiration evaporating, it remains trapped under the skin which causes rash and inflammation.
It is not clear why this happens but definite facts seem to come together to cause this rash and they include:
• Immature sweat ducts – in babies
• Tropical climates – humid hot weather
• Exercise – exercising, work or activities causing perspiration
• Some fabrics – clothes that do not allow perspiration to evaporate
• Medications
• Overheating – too many clothes, sleeping with an electric blanket
• Heavy ointments or creams
This type of rash can also occur in individuals who are hospitalized in bed for long periods, particularly if they are running a fever.
Factors contributing to heat rash include:
• Being newborn
• Participating in physical activities
• Being in tropical climate
Sometimes complications occur such as:
• Infection – bacterial, causes inflamed as well as itchy pustules
• Heat exhaustion – can cause low blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, rapid pulse, headache and if left untreated can lead to heatstroke
Heat Rash Treatment
Reduce sweating is the top treatment for all types of heat rash. This can include staying in buildings that are air-conditioned or use fans, wear lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity. As soon as the skin is cool, the rash tends to quickly clear.
Topical therapies – severe forms of rash might need topical therapies in order to help discomfort as well as avoid complications. Topical therapy can include:
• Anhydrous lanolin – helps with preventing blockage of duct or new lesions from forming
• Calamine lotion – soothes itching
• Topical steroids – only in most serious cases
Heat Rash Pictures
Check out heat rash pictures of babies to see how the skin is affected.
I am suffering from heat rash and have pink/redness on my left side chest, I have noticed yesterday
as the weather was humid and hot and I sweated a lot may be of that i have heat rash, kindly recommend mdecines etc
Anis