Hot and humid conditions are ideal for developing prickly heat rash, but they\u2019re not its only cause. Heat rash can be a byproduct of your self-care if you enjoy hot yoga, exercise frequently, or use steam rooms or saunas. Even adding your winter layers too prematurely or throwing an additional duvet onto the bed can trigger it. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about prickly heat rash and what to do about it.<\/p>\n
Prickly heat rash is pretty aptly named. It\u2019s a prickly, itchy, and sometimes stinging rash that develops on your skin as a result of heat. Also known as eccrine miliaria or heat rash, the condition occurs when your sweat glands become obstructed. Because of this, sweat is trapped in the skin, resulting in a skin rash.<\/p>\n
There are three types of eccrine miliaria \u2014 miliaria crystallina, miliaria rubra, and miliaria profunda. The type of heat rash that develops depends on the part of the sweat duct affected, and each has a slightly different presentation.<\/p>\n
Heat rash can sometimes be hard to self-diagnose as it can look like a number of other skin conditions and rashes<\/a>. If you\u2019re having trouble identifying or treating your skin issue, Maple can help. Maple<\/a> is a virtual care platform that connects you with Canadian-licensed doctors and specialists. With Maple, you can get to the bottom of your skin dilemma by seeing a doctor<\/a> or dermatologist<\/a> online from your phone, tablet, or computer.<\/p>\n Under the right circumstances, anyone can develop prickly heat rash, but here are some of the most likely groups.<\/p>\n Newborns and babies are highly prone to heat rash because their sweat glands are just developing. Additionally, they\u2019re also less able to control their internal body temperature. Add that to the tendency for new parents to overdress their little ones, and you\u2019ve got the perfect conditions for developing heat rash.<\/p>\n Babies aren\u2019t the only population with an increased risk for the condition though. Being on bedrest increases your odds of developing prickly heat rash. Remaining in place for long periods of time \u2014 like in one position in a bed \u2014 hampers air flow to the immobilized areas. Besides precipitating irritation, this also limits the flow of sweat off your body.<\/p>\n Being confined to bed can result in heat rash even under cool or air-conditioned circumstances. But hot and humid conditions \u2014 like being in a building without air conditioning in the summer \u2014 up its probability.<\/p>\n Additionally, being overweight or obese may amplify your chances of experiencing the condition. This is due to the rolls of skin these individuals are more likely to have. Since the skin folds between these rolls are more likely to retain moisture, rub against each other, and occlude sweat glands, they make prickly heat rash more likely.<\/p>\n When your body can\u2019t expel your sweat properly through your sweat ducts, it becomes trapped in your skin. With nowhere else to go, this sweat can spread under the surrounding skin, triggering an itchy, inflamed rash.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that heat rash isn\u2019t contagious. However, heat rash can spread all over the body. It can also be triggered by a fever.<\/p>\n Another common cause of heat rash is travelling to a hot and humid climate. In this case, the condition usually resolves as your body acclimatizes to the new weather.<\/p>\n While anything that obstructs the sweat glands can trigger heat rash, certain causes are especially notable. A big one tends to be wearing constricting or synthetic fabrics that don\u2019t allow for air flow \u2014 especially during high-intensity exercise. Prolonged bed rest is another as bedding can function as a barricade blocking your body\u2019s sweat glands. Lightweight bedding is one way to help prevent heat rash.<\/p>\n As its name suggests, prickly heat typically causes a prickly or itchy sensation in the skin. With miliaria rubra, the rash manifests in small uniform bumps between 2 to 4mm \u2014 about the size of tiny glass beads. You\u2019re most likely to find it in areas that experience a lot of friction like around the collar, under your arms or breasts, or in the creases of your knees and elbows.<\/p>\n Alternatively, heat rash can present as tiny, 1 to 2mm bumps resembling glass beads. This is the case with miliaria crystallina, which is most likely to crop up on the head, neck, and upper trunks of infants, and mainly on the trunk for adults.<\/p>\n Finally, miliaria profunda appears as 1 to 4mm bumps on the trunk and extremities. These can be either skin-coloured or red.<\/p>\n Prickly heat rash can look slightly different depending on the person experiencing it. It often appears as small raised red bumps, although the redness of the rash on the skin may not be as obvious on black or brown skin, or darker skin tones. Alternatively, the rash can appear as clear, fluid-filled bumps, leading many to compare it to acne.<\/p>\n Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight cotton clothing is one of the best ways of avoiding heat rash. Thick and synthetic fabrics are more likely to trap heat, leading you to sweat. To avoid heat rash on hot days or while exercising, focus on wearing light layers that you can remove as you heat up. You\u2019ll also want to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.<\/p>\n Newborns and small babies are more vulnerable to heat rash and can\u2019t tell you when they\u2019re getting too hot. While fall weather can tempt you into breaking out your baby\u2019s thick winter sleep sack, unless you\u2019re camping they\u2019re probably unnecessary. Most houses sit somewhere around 21\u00b0C (70\u00b0F). This means that even when the thermometer dips outside, your baby\u2019s room is likely pretty comfortable.<\/p>\n To ensure your baby is warm enough, avoid touching their hands or face. Because of their distance from your baby\u2019s core, these will feel cool to the touch even when your baby is perfectly comfortable.<\/p>\n Instead, place a hand on your little one\u2019s back or belly. If these feel warm, there\u2019s no need for another layer. It\u2019s hard not to worry, but your baby doesn\u2019t require more layers than you do.<\/p>\n To further avoid repeat heat rashes, consider doing the following:<\/p>\n The good news is that prickly heat rash doesn\u2019t stick around for that long. Your symptoms should resolve within a day or two. If they\u2019re not markedly better after day four, consider speaking with a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n Because prickly heat rash can result in inflammation, soothing your skin is often a good start to addressing the condition. A great way to do that is by using a cooling compress, or by wrapping an ice pack in a towel and applying it to the affected area. You\u2019ll also want to avoid scratching the rash if possible to help prevent infection.<\/p>\n Additionally, you can take an antihistamine. This will help to calm the swelling and reduce the itchy, prickly feeling that the rash brings. But, while you can minimize the worst of its effects, these strategies won\u2019t get rid of prickly heat rash entirely. Luckily, the condition should clear up within a day or two.<\/p>\n In addition to ice and antihistamines, there are a few other ways to soothe the redness, itching, and discomfort of your prickly heat rash. These include:<\/p>\n Heat rash will usually disappear on its own within a few days. While it can be uncomfortable, you\u2019re unlikely to need to see a doctor.<\/p>\n In certain circumstances, however, you should speak to a doctor<\/a> about your prickly heat rash. These include if your rash isn\u2019t getting better, or seems to be getting worse after day three or four, as it\u2019s a possible sign that you\u2019ve developed a secondary infection. Likewise, if your heat rash is extremely painful, it\u2019s a good idea to see a healthcare provider. They may be able to prescribe hydrocortisone cream to clear it up quicker.<\/p>\n In young children or those who are immunocompromised, some symptoms may indicate a secondary infection. If your child has what looks like heat rash and any of the following, it warrants a visit with their healthcare provider:<\/p>\n Additionally, if your heat rash is accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, or feeling very weak or thirsty, you may be experiencing heat exhaustion or heatstroke<\/a>. While you can usually deal with heat exhaustion safely at home, heatstroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure whether you\u2019re experiencing heat rash, it\u2019s a good idea to speak to a dermatologist<\/a> for clarification. Some skin cancers can appear as rashes<\/a> in their early stages, making proper diagnosis crucial. While seeing a dermatologist can take months, with Maple, getting a dermatology consultation takes less than 24 hours. Even better, you don\u2019t need a referral.<\/p>\nWho can develop prickly heat?<\/h3>\n
What causes prickly heat?<\/h3>\n
What are the symptoms of prickly heat?<\/h3>\n
What does prickly heat look like?<\/h3>\n
How can you prevent heat rashes?<\/h3>\n
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How long does prickly heat usually last?<\/h3>\n
Can you get rid of prickly heat fast?<\/h3>\n
What are the most common treatments for prickly heat?<\/h3>\n
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When to see a doctor for heat rash<\/h3>\n
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