Heat rash is a painful condition that often appears in hot weather. It causes symptoms like small clusters of tiny, raised bumps on discoloured, irritated skin. You can also experience a prickly, burning or itchy sensation with heat rash. It is also known as prickly heat, sweat rash, or miliaria rubra. Heat rash treatment can help to relieve painful and discomforting symptoms and get rid of them effectively. Online and offline treatments are available for this condition. You can also use some home remedies to cure it. Heat rash can affect individuals of all ages, including adults and babies.
Heat rash can develop anywhere on the body, although it often shows up around skin folds, such as:
- Neck
- Arms
- Groin
When sweat pores are blocked by profuse perspiration, heat rash develops. Living in a hot, muggy area increases your risk of developing heat rash. Babies are especially susceptible to heat rash, especially if they are wearing too much clothing.
Let’s explore treatments that can soothe your skin and make you feel relieved:
How To Deal With Heat Rash
Your doctor may suggest many over-the-counter drugs or a prescription to treat heat rash.
Ointments
A physician might advise you to apply calamine lotion or other ointments to alleviate the symptoms of heat rash. Zinc oxide is one of the many skin-benefitting ingredients in this lotion.
It reduces itching, which helps treat heat rash. Use a cotton pad, dab calamine lotion to your rash. If necessary, reapply.
Antihistamines
Topical or oral over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce heat rash itching.
Ask your paediatrician or pharmacist about the best kinds of antihistamines and when they are safe to use if you are giving one to a child. A child under the age of two should not get oral antihistamines unless a pediatrician thinks it safe and essential.
Steroid creams
Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream can help reduce heat rash symptoms. It can be administered once or twice daily to relieve itching and is sold over-the-counter at any drugstore. You can apply it to your baby’s skin for a short period of time, but avoid using it underneath their nappy. It might aggravate the skin even more.
How Much Time Will It Take To Heal?
Your heat rash should go away in a few days after you start at-home treatment, assuming there are no complications.
The early severity of the rash and the effectiveness of your treatment will determine how quickly it goes away. You might need to consult a healthcare professional if your rash gets worse after a few days.
When To Consult A Physician
Although there are several efficient at-home treatments for heat rash, if any issues arise, you may need to see a doctor. Additionally, if a rash doesn’t go away a week after starting treatment or if you start getting a rash after taking any new drug, you should consult a doctor online. Also, if a rash appears to be infectious, you should see your doctor. Infected skin symptoms include:
- Pus
- Oozing
- Increased pain
- Swelling
See a doctor right away if your child or baby has:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Flu-like symptoms
Since heat rash occurs when your body overheats and sweats, you can prevent heat rash by staying cool.
Preventive Tips
Keep your body cool to avoid heat rashes, which happen when your body overheats and sweats.
The following precautions you can take on hot days to prevent heat rash:
- Stay in cool, air-conditioned spaces.
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid wearing too many layers of clothing.
- Avoid excessive physical exertion.
- Take cool baths or showers.