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What causes Prickly Heat Rash?
What factors increase the risk of heat rash?
What is a heat rash?
Apr 11, 2024 · Antihistamine medicines: Benadryl or other antihistamine medications may relieve heat rash symptoms, especially inflammation and itching. Steroid creams: Steroid creams like hydrocortisone can help treat heat rash by reducing inflammation, itch, and irritation. Apply a thin layer of cream over the affected area and rub until the cream is fully ...
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Sweat glands
Eccrine sweat glands occur over most of the body and open directly onto the skin's surface. Apocrine glands open into the hair follicle, leading to the surface of the skin. Apocrine glands develop in areas with many hair follicles, such as on the scalp, armpits and groin. Eccrine sweat glands are involved in hyperhidrosis, though apocrine glands may play a role as well.
Types of heat rash
The types of heat rash are classified according to how deep the sweat is trapped in the skin. Signs and symptoms for each type vary.
Heat rash usually heals by cooling the skin and avoiding exposure to the heat that caused it. See your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that last longer than a few days or the rash seems to be getting worse.
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Heat rash develops when a duct that leads from a sweat gland to the surface of the skin is blocked or inflamed. This then blocks the opening of the sweat duct on the surface of the skin (sweat pore). Instead of evaporating, sweat is trapped beneath the skin, causing irritation and bumps on the skin.
Factors that increase the risk of heat rash include:
•Being a newborn, as newborns have immature sweat ducts
•Living in a hot, humid climate
•Being physically active
Heat rash usually heals without scarring. People with brown or Black skin are at risk of spots of skin that get lighter or darker in response to inflammatory skin conditions (postinflammatory hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation). These changes usually go away within weeks or months.
A common complication is infection with bacteria, causing inflamed and itchy pustules.
To help protect yourself or your child from heat rash:
•In hot weather, dress in loose, lightweight clothing that wicks moisture away from the skin. Don't wrap newborns in too many layers.
•In hot weather, limit physical activity. Stay in the shade or in an air-conditioned building. Or use a fan to circulate the air.
•Keep your sleeping area cool and well ventilated.
•Avoid creams and ointments that can block pores.
•Avoid drugs that cause sweating, such as clonidine, beta blockers and opioids.
Dec 21, 2023 · 6 min read. What Is Heat Rash? A heat rash is a common rash on the skin that can show up when you're hot or you sweat a lot. It can make parts of your skin feel prickly or sting due to...
- Evan Starkman
Sep 30, 2022 · Noninfectious rashes, for example, heat rash (prickly heat), hives, dry skin, dermatitis, and drug side effects. Infectious rashes, for example, herpes, staph, scabies, shingles, and chickenpox. Click for heat rash pictures, and more treatments and remedies ».
Oct 4, 2017 · Certain medications can also trigger prickly heat. Any drugs that raise the body temperature or alter the function of the sweat glands can increase the risk of prickly heat.
Apr 30, 2023 · What it looks like. Pictures. Treatment. Symptoms. Causes. Call your doctor. Prevention. A heat rash typically looks like small clear, white, or red bumps on your skin. These bumps are...
Mar 2, 2022 · Health Library / Diseases & Conditions / Heat Rash/Prickly Heat. A heat rash, prickly heat rash or sweat rash is a group of tiny pimples or blisters on your skin caused by sweat trapped in your glands. The rash can be painful or itchy. Treat the rash at home by keeping your skin cool and dry.
