Heat rash

Description

Heat rash — also known as prickly heat and miliaria — isn't just for babies. Affects adults, especially in warm, humid conditions.

Heat rash occurs when sweat gets trapped in the skin. The symptoms can vary from small blisters to deep, inflamed lumps. Some forms of heat rash are very itchy.

The rash usually goes away once the skin is cooled. The severe forms of the disease may need treatment from a health care provider.

Symptoms

The adults usually develop heat rash in skin folds and where clothing rubs against the skin. In babies, the rash is located mainly in the neck, shoulders, and chest. It can also show up on the armpits, elbow creases and groin.

Types of heat rash

Types of heat rash are classified according to the depth of the sweat gets trapped in the skin. The signs and symptoms for each type vary.

  • The mildest form of heat rash is called miliaria crystallina. Occurs when the opening of the chamber of conduit on the surface of the skin (sweat pore) is blocked. This form is marked by small, clear, fluid-filled bumps that break easily.
  • A type that occurs deeper in the skin is called miliaria rubra. It is sometimes called prickly heat. Signs and symptoms include small, swollen blister-like bumps and the itching or itching in the affected area.
  • Sometimes, the inflammation of blows of miliaria rubra fill with pus. This shape is called miliaria pustules.
  • A less common form of heat rash is called miliaria deep. It affects the deeper layer of skin (dermis). It makes a firm, painful or itchy, swollen bumps that resemble goosebumps and can be opened.

When to see a doctor

The rash usually heals by cooling the skin, and avoid exposure to heat that caused it. Consult your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that last more than a couple of days or the rash seems to be getting worse.

Causes

Heat rash develops when a conduit to the wires from the sweat gland to the surface of the skin become blocked or inflamed. This then blocks the opening of the chamber of conduit on the surface of the skin (sweat pores). Instead of evaporating, the sweat becomes trapped under the skin, causing irritation and blisters in the skin.

Risk factors

The factors that increase the risk of heat rash include:

  • Being a newborn, as the newborn babies have an immature sweat ducts
  • Live in a hot and humid climate
  • Be physically active
  • Be on bed rest for a long time and to have a fever

Complications

The rash usually heals without leaving a scar. People with brown or Black skin are at risk of staining of the skin becomes lighter or darker in response to inflammatory conditions of the skin (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation). These changes usually disappear within weeks or months.

A common complication is infection by bacteria, causing inflamed and itchy pustules.

Prevention

To help protect you or your child from heat rash:

  • In hot weather, dress loose, lightweight clothing that wicks moisture away from the skin. Not to swaddle newborns in many layers.
  • In hot weather, to limit the physical activity. Stay in the shade or in an air-conditioned building. Or use a fan to circulate the air.
  • Keep your sleeping area fresh and well-ventilated place.
  • Avoid creams and ointments that can block pores.
  • Avoid drugs that cause sweating, such as clonidine, beta-blockers and opioids.

Heat rash

Diagnosis

You don't need tests to diagnose the heat rash. Your health care provider can diagnose by examining the skin. A condition that looks like heat rash is transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM). transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) affects mainly newborns with brown or Black skin. It is harmless and goes away in a couple of days without treatment.

Treatment

The treatment of mild heat rash is the cooling of the skin, and avoid exposure to heat that caused the disease. Once the skin is fresh, soft, heat rash tends to clear quickly.

Self-care

Tips to help your heat rash heal and be more comfortable include the following:

  • Press a cold cloth on the skin or take a cool shower or bath. You can help your skin to air dry.
  • Avoid the use of oily or greasy moisturizing creams, cosmetics, sunscreens and other products that can block the pores more. Instead of using a moisturizer with wool fat (lanolin anhydrous), which helps to prevent the sweat ducts from getting stuck.

Preparing for your appointment

A visit with a health care provider in general, it is not necessary to heat rash. If the rash is more severe, you may want to see your family physician or a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist) to make sure that the heat rash and no other disorder of the skin.

Before you go, it is a good idea to have a list of questions that you may have about your condition. For heat rash, questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What could have caused this rash?
  • How is the treatment?
  • What do I need to limit physical activity until the rash clears?
  • How can I prevent this in the future?
Symptoms and treatment of Heat rash