A heat rash, also known as miliaria or sweat rash, is a very common condition in which certain parts of the skin sting or feel prickly due to excessive heat. Although not a dangerous condition, this rash may itch a lot and make a person feel extremely uncomfortable. This rash usually occurs due to excessive heat during summer seasons. The most commonly affected heat rash areas are, a person’s: back, neck, abdomen, groin, upper chest and armpits. This condition is also extremely common in children.
Miliaria can affect newborn babies in incubators, active individuals and those on bed rest. This rash appears as small red bumps on the skin and can be extremely itchy. Therefore, to help you, here at oneHOWTO, we are going to find out how to get rid of heat rash quickly.
Causes of heat rash
Before we tell you how to get rid of a heat rash, you should first know its causes. Heat rashes develop when you sweat a lot and your sweat ducts clog. The sweat cannot evaporate and it then gets trapped underneath your skin causing a rash and inflammation.
There are certain factors that can cause your sweat ducts to clog:
- Tropical climates: Hot and humid weather may clog your sweat ducts and result in heat rash.
- Immature sweat ducts: The sweat ducts of newborn babies are not fully developed. They tend to rupture very easily and trap sweat beneath the skin. Most newborns develop heat rash within the first week of being born. The chances of this increase if your infant has been: kept in an incubator, dressed too warmly or if he/she has developed a fever.
- Physical exercise: Hard work, intense exercise or other physical work may cause heavy sweating and result in a heat rash.
- Overheating: If you dress too warmly or if you sleep under a blanket in a warm climate.
- Long bed rest: If you have been confined to a bed for several days, particularly due to fever, then you may end up experiencing a heat rash.
Most of the time, heat rashes heal on their own. But, other times, it may lead to a bacterial infection and cause inflammation and/or itchy pustules. Therefore, we recommend trying to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
How to get rid of a heat rash
Take a look at our tips on how you can get rid of heat rash quickly:
If your heat rash is mild and has just started, then you can improve the condition by avoiding tight clothes and rather opting for loose, breathable material, such as cotton. Such clothes will allow the moisture and sweat to evaporate from your skin. We also recommend avoiding any rigorous physical activity and try not to stay outdoors in the sun; as it will only worsen your heat rash. After taking a shower, make sure your skin has dried properly before putting clothes on. If you live in a hot place with high humidity levels, apply talcum powder on the affected areas after a bath. This will both absorb moisture and keep your skin dry. However, if your heat rash is serious, then keep reading for more ways.
If you are experiencing a serious heat rash, it’s important to know that not all creams and lotions are effective in treating heat rashes. Even if some are labeled as soothing or moisturizing, these creams may not help with heat rash. Some of these creams may even make your heat rash worse, especially if they contain the following ingredients: hydrocortisone, petroleum oil, mineral oil, perfumes or scents.
Instead, we suggest opting for these creams in order to treat your heat rash:
- Calamine lotion: Calamine is found to be effective in soothing and protecting skin, in addition to reducing irritation. It is also known to reduce itching and relieve skin rashes. After application, let it dry before you put your clothes on (so that it does not stick). It is also important to know that calamine can also stain clothes. Although calamine is general safe, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor before using it.
- Anhydrous lanolin: This is a soothing ingredient that is often prescribed for the treatment of heat rashes. It is found to be effective in reducing irritation and removing blockage from sweat glands. By doing this, it fights off the root cause of your prickly heat. If your skin is sensitive to wool, you may be allergic to this medication: therefore choose and use with caution.
- Topical steroids: Steroids is a category of drugs that are effective in reducing irritation, inflammation and swelling. Apply a thin layer of a steroid ointment on your heat rash area. It will significantly reduce the rawness and redness of the rash, speeding up your healing process. Mild steroids are available over the counter, while anabolic steroids encourage muscle growth and are available by prescription only.
- Baking soda: Take 2 cups water, 3 tbsp of baking soda and a soft towel. Add 3 tbsp of baking soda in 2 cups of cool water and mix well. Let the solution stand for 5 minutes. This mixture functions as a great exfoliator used to unclog sweat pores that are the cause of your heat rash. This baking soda mixture can also be effective in cooling down your skin and reducing inflammation. Dip your soft towel into the baking soda and water mixture. Squeeze out the excess water while making sure that the towel is wet but not dripping. Run the towel gently over the affected areas. Hold it over these areas for a few minutes at a time. Repeat this 4-5 times daily for speedy recovery.
- Ice cubes: Wrap a few ice cubes in a piece of cotton cloth to make an ice pack. Apply this pack onto your heat rash. It will numb the area and give immediate relief from itchiness and inflammation. It will also reduce the temperature of the area, thus preventing further spreading of the rash. Hold the pack over your rash and rub it gently in small circles on your inflamed skin. Keep shifting the position of the cloth. Apply an ice pack on your rash three times a day until it subsides.
- Oatmeal bath: Ingredients include 1 cup rolled oats (raw oatmeal), ¼ cup shavings of an antibacterial soap, 10 drops of lavender essential oil and a piece of cotton cloth. Take 1 cup of raw oatmeal in a bowl, add soap shavings into it and add 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix the ingredients well. Oatmeal is an extremely soothing ingredient that exfoliates your skin and unclogs sweat pores. Antibacterial soap is also effective in fighting any infection in a heat rash. Lavender essential oil, for example, reduces pain and stinging on the skin. Spoon the mixture in the cotton cloth, gather its ends and make a bundle. Secure the bundle neck with a cord or kitchen string. Add this bundle to your bath and soak your body in it for about half an hour. Do this before you go to bed.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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