Cure Prickly Heat Rash - Treatment

Definition

Prickly heat is a very itchy red skin rash, causing a prickling or burning feeling. It is medically known as miliaria. Prickly heat develops when the narrow ducts carrying sweat to the skin surface get clogged. The trapped sweat causes inflammation, which produces irritation (prickling), itching, and a rash of very tiny blisters. Prickly heat also can appear as large, reddened areas of skin. If you are overweight or sweat easily you are more likely to have prickly heat. The rash is most commonly where there is friction with clothes also on the hands, feet, under the arms and the chest. Treating heat rash is simple and usually does not require medical assistance. Other heat-related problems can be much more severe. In a similar mild condition called miliaria crystalina, instead of small rashes, there are tiny blisters that look like beads of perspiration.

Causes

1. Prickly heat develops when the narrow ducts carrying sweat to the skin surface get clogged. The trapped sweat causes inflammation, which produces irritation, itching, and a rash of very tiny blisters.
2. It tends to occur on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms because it is most common in warm, humid climates.
3. Infants are more likely to get miliaria rubra than adults.
4. Prickly Heat occurs when the sweat gland ducts get plugged with dead skin cells and bacterium such as Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Symptoms

1. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include itching or irritation i.e. prickling.
2. Small blister can appear on the back, face, arms etc.
3. Prickly heat is most likely to occur on the body where skin touches skin. For example it usually occurs under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms.
4. The symptoms of prickly heat may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
5. Small, red spots which may look like tiny blisters. Many usually appear all over the body. They occur most where there is friction with clothes.

Treatment

1. The rash itself may be treated with topical antipruritics or we can say some itch relievers.
2. Preparations containing aloe, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and similar ingredients are available commercially. These will give you a lot of comfort. You can use any product containing these elements.
3. Anti-itch lotions, such as calamine and topical steroid creams can be used to sooth and control the itching. Oil based products slows the defoliation process and should be avoided.
4. Instead of medicating, it is usually best to simply keep the skin clean by taking multiple showers to keep affected areas clean and sweat free. Mild antibacterial soaps may be helpful as well to slow spread and prevent future outbreaks.
5. Expose the rash to as much fresh air as possible. Never cover with bandages or tight clothing.
6. A steroid cream may soothe the irritation whilst waiting for the condition to clear with the above measures. You can buy hydrocortisone cream, which is a mild steroid cream, from pharmacies.