Anyone can have heat rashes from a baby to an adult. Shed your worries because we have collected information just to tell you how to get rid of heat rash.
Has heat rash made your summers a nightmare for you which would have been pleasant otherwise? Here are the things you need to know:
- What is heat rash?
- What causes heat rash
- Symptoms of heat rash
- Heat rash treatment
- Home remedies for heat rash
What is Heat rash?
Heat rash is also known has prickly heat and in medical terms, it is called miliaria. It can occur anywhere in the body, but it is most commonly found on back, thighs, arms, hands, chest, face and neck. It is usually found in areas of the body that are covered with clothes. Heat rash is when there are many small and bumpy red spots on your skin like blisters and makes your skin look red or pink. It occurs because the sweat ducts are blocked and as a result swell. They are stingy, itchy and prickly and extremely irritating. Herbs can be of great help. Heat rash in babies is very common, but it also affects children and adults if you are living in a hot and humid climate. In hot weather, we tend to sweat a lot and excessive sweating results in blockage of sweat glands resulting in heat rashes.
Causes of Heat rash
Heat rash mainly occurs because the sweat glands get blocked and sweat is being trapped under the skin. This results in irritation and happens in hot and humid weather, although it heat rash occurs in some people in winter as well.
It is more likely to occur in people who sweat a lot like overweight people. Their parts of the body are not exposed to air much and tends to get over heated particularly the skin folds.
Heat rash in children occur because their sweat glands are not completely developed and their skin becomes overheated because of that.
Heat rash on toddlers and babies occur because parents seem to dress them too warmly. The babies’ feet and hand may feel cool when you touch, but you don’t have to dress them warmly in hot and humid weathers.
Symptoms of heat rash
Prickly heat symptoms can be easily identified by their appearance. Prickly heat appears to be tiny pimples or dots. In young children, the area that is mostly affected is the shoulders, neck and head. The areas affected by heat rashes get easily irritated by scratching or clothing and it rarely develops into a secondary skin infection. Common heat rash symptoms consist of prickling or stinging sensation, itchy rashes, tiny red bumps and mild inflammation.
Heat Rash treatment
Generally heat rash doesn’t need any medical attention and heals on its own. It usually disappears after 3 to 4 days. This is the reason Home remedies for heat rash are one of the best treatments for it. As the weather gets pleasant, prickly heat gets better. However, as soon as the summer arrives, make sure you cool your body and avoid overheating it. To alleviate the prickly sensation on your skin, you can take a cold shower, or stay in air conditioned places. To keep yourself cool, wear less clothes to keep your skin exposed, cool and dry.
In case it doesn’t get any better and the person afflicted with it is having fever along with increased pain, redness and swelling, you should immediately go see a doctor. Doctors prescribe ointments for more severe forms of heat rash. The following heat rash ointments may be prescribed:
- Calamine lotion- it helps to calm itching
- Topical steroids- only for very serious cases
- Anhydrous lanolin- it helps to keep the ducts from getting blocked and prevents formation of new lesions.
10 Best ways to Get Rid of Heat Rash
Here are top 10 simple and effective ways to get rid of heat rash:
1. Sandalwood Powder
Sandalwood aids in easing prickling and burning sensation due to its soothing quality. It also aids in lowering the body temperature and serves as an effective heat rash treatment.
- Combine two tablespoons of coriander powder, sandalwood powder and rose water to form a paste. Coriander powder contains antiseptic quality.
- Cover the affected site with it and leave it to dry.
- Wash it off using cold water.
- Do it two times a day for one week.
OR
- Combine sandalwood powder and rose water in equal proportion.
- Apply a layer of it on the affected site.
- Allow it to dry.
- Wash it off using cold water
- Do it two times a day for one week.
2. Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal bath is a great heat rash treatment for adults as well as children. Oatmeal has long been known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and anti irritating quality which makes it just perfect for treating heat rash.
- Fill the bathtub with cool water and throw in a cup of finely ground oatmeal.
- Mix till the color becomes milky.
- Immerse yourself in this water for 15 to 20 minutes and gently scrub the affected site. It will unblock the sweat glands and act as an exfoliant.
- Use a soft towel to pat dry
- Repeat two times a day till a week.
3. Baking Soda
Wondering why baking soda? Firstly, because it contains antibacterial quality that wards of any infection along with soothing skin. Secondly, it is a great exfoliating agent that helps to clean pores by eliminating dirt and dead skin cells. As a result, it provides relief from inflammation and itching caused by prickly heat.
- To make the mild baking soda solution, take a cup of cold water.
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Take a clean and soft wash cloth and dip it in this solution.
- Gently dab the affected portion of the skin with it.
- Do this 4 to 5 times a day to heal prickly heat.
4. Cold Treatment
Looking for immediate relief from heat rash? Try some cold treatment. It helps in numbing the nerves and as result give relief from itching, prickling sensations and inflammation.
- Take some water and add some ice cubes in it. As soon as the water becomes chilled, take a soft and clean wash cloth to gently dab your skin.
OR
- As an alternative, you can rub ice cubes on your skin and get some relief from the burning sensation. You can even wrap some ice in a piece of cloth and use it as a cloth compress. Dab it over the affected site every 6 hours and keep the heat rash from spreading.
OR
- Take a cold shower bath. This will alleviate prickly heat symptoms.
5. Fuller’s Earth
This is yet another great remedy for heat rash which have been used since ages for treating prickly heat. Fuller earth helps to minimize inflammation, itching and irritation.
- Combine 4 tablespoons of fuller earth with enough rose water to make a paste.
- Cover the affected site with this paste
- Let it dry before washing with cool water.
- Do this once a day for an entire week.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is not just great for treating burns, but also prickly heat due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, cooling and soothing qualities. It aids in treating different kinds of skin rashes, including heat rash. It will reduce the redness and inflammation.
- Pluck an aloe leaf and cut in half.
- Squeeze the aloe gel and apply it over the affected areas.
- Let it stay for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Then wash it off.
- Repeat twice daily for an entire week.
7. Cucumbers
One of the major symptoms of cucumber is the constant burning sensation and cucumber is going to help soothe and cool it down.
- Peel and cut cucumber slices.
- Apply it over the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat 3 times a day for an entire week.
OR
- You can even mash the cucumber.
- Apply the pulp over the affected areas.
- Let the pulp stay for half an hour.
- Wash it off.
You can also eat cucumber to keep your body cool and hydrated.
8. Raw Mangoes
Want to know the best food that will give you relief? Yes, raw mangoes will give you relief from heat rash symptoms like itching and burning.
- Wash raw mangoes properly.
- Take two cups of water and bring it to boil.
- Add the raw mangoes in it.
- Remove from heat when the mangoes become soft.
- Allow them to cool and squeeze the pulp out.
- Add this pulp to the cool water and add some sugar and rock salt in it as taste enhancers.
- Drink this solution one to two times a day for a week.
9. Neem Leaves
Margosa leaves are commonly known as neem is well known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities since ages, which helps to keep prickly heat symptoms at bay.
- Take a handful of neem leaves.
- Take 2 cups of water and add neem leaves in it.
- Allow the water to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Strain it and let it cool
- Dip a cotton cloth in it and dab it over the affected site for 5 minutes.
- Repeat 4 times a day for a week.
OR
- Take a handful of neem leaves
- Grind it with enough water to make a paste.
- Cover the affected areas with this paste.
- Let it dry before you wash it off with cool water.
- Repeat once a day for an entire week.
10. Gram Flour
Gram flour soaks up all the excess moisture from the body and cleans the pores by getting rid of dead skin cells, dirt and other impurities. This in turn gives relief from inflammation.
- Take 3 tablespoons of gram flour and add enough water to make a paste.
- Cover the affected areas with this paste.
- Let it stay for 10 minutes before washing it off with cool water.
- Repeat once a day for an entire week.
How to get rid of heat rash isn’t a difficult question any more now, Is it? These natural remedies cure heat rash in a week’s time. Just in case, your condition doesn’t improve and you have got skin infection, immediately go to a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do to keep your body cool when it is really hot?
Here are some of the measures that you can take:
- Try to remain in air-conditioned environment
- Wear light and thin clothes
- Keep taking cool showers or dip a sponge in cool water and dab it over your skin.
- Take rest
- Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Drink lots of beverages
How does the body react when it is exposed to a lot of heat?
When the temperature control system of the body is overburdened, then people may undergo heat-related conditions like heat rash. Although sweating is triggered to keep you cool but sometimes even sweating is not enough because the temperature of the body is rising very quickly. When the temperature goes too high, it may damage the brain or other organs. There are different factors that adversely affect the body when the weather is unbearably hot. For instance, if it is too humid sweat is not going to evaporate as quickly as needed to cool the body.
Who is more at risk of heat related conditions like heat rash?
Infant and children up to 4 years old are at most risk of heat rashes and other heat related conditions. Then comes people who are on particular medication, people who are sick, obese people, and old people
How can people protect themselves from heat rash when temperatures are extremely high?
You need to keep yourself cool and here are some of the ways to protect yourself:
- Drink loads of fluids
- Replace salts and mineral
- Wear appropriate clothes
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully
- Remain cool indoors
- Use sunscreen
- Use prickly heat powder
- Keep your skin exposed
- Take cool showers
How much should I be drinking when the weather is hot?
Drink more than what your thirst level tells you. No matter what your activities, increase the amount of fluid you take. If you are exercising in hot weather, drink 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour. Do not drink beverages that contain alcohol because it make you lose more fluid.
Resources
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-heat-rash-treatment
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-rash/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20033908
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/heat_rash/article_em.htm
http://www.heatrash.org/baking-soda-bath-for-heat-rash-get-rid-of-heat-rash-n
