Heat Rash Causes, Symptoms
Heat Rash, also known as miliaria or prickly heat, is usually associated with infants and babies. However, heat rash can also affect adults, especially when the weather is hot and humid. Most people normally sweat when it gets too hot or humid. If the sweat ducts get blocked for any reason, the perspiration gets trapped between the skin, leading to the formation of heat rash. The rash can appear on the skin in the form of superficial blisters or even deep red bumps. It can feel slight prickly or even intensely itchy. The heat rash normally disappears on it own. However, there may be some severe forms of heat rash that require medical care. The most effective way of relieving the symptoms is by keeping the skin cool and dry.
Symptoms of Heat Rash
Most adults develop heat rash in the folds of the skin and everywhere else where their clothing could cause friction. Children usually get heat rash on the neck, chest and shoulders. The common symptoms for different types of heat rash are –
- Tiny blisters or bumps that pop easily
- A prickly feeling or itchiness in the affected area
- Little or lack of perspiration in the affected area
- Lesions
Causes of Heat Rash
One of the most common causes of heat rash is the clogging of the sweat ducts, where the sweat gets trapped, instead of evaporating; this causes the rash and inflammation. Some of the common factors that could affect the proper functioning of the sweat ducts are –
- Wearing certain types of fabric that cause skin irritation or do no allow the perspiration to evaporate properly
- Underdeveloped sweat ducts that trap the sweat between the skin
- Intense or strenuous physical activity that leads to excessive perspiration
- Tropical climates and hot humid weather
- Excessive use of creams and ointments that can block the pores of the skin
Heat Rash Cure
Most cases of heat rash get cured on their own, without taking any medication. However, for heat rash treatment there are some lotions (like Calamine Lotion) and steroids that need to be topically applied, to alleviate any discomfort and to prevent complications. There are several home remedies that can also be used, to clear up the rash within one week to ten days.
