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What is heat rash?
What are the different types of heat rash?
What does a heat rash look like?
Dec 21, 2023 · Heat rash, also called prickly heat or miliaria, is caused by blocked sweat ducts. Here's how to prevent and treat it.
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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.
Apr 11, 2024 · Heat rash, also known as eccrine miliaria , sweat rash, and prickly heat, is a skin rash that causes the skin to turn red and feel warm or prickly (stinging). It also causes small red dots in the affected skin area in people with lighter skin tones and darker spots in people with darker skin tones.
- Lana Barhum
Aug 18, 2023 · Heat rash is also known as miliaria or prickly heat. It is caused when ducts from eccrine sweat glands that lead to the skin's surface are blocked or inflamed. Eccrine sweat glands help your body maintain a steady temperature.
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May 6, 2022 · Treatment. Treatment for mild heat rash is cooling the skin and avoiding exposure to the heat that caused the condition. Once the skin is cool, mild heat rash tends to clear quickly. Request an appointment.
Apr 30, 2023 · A heat rash typically looks like small clear, white, or red bumps on your skin. These bumps are sometimes filled with fluid. They can show up anywhere that you sweat a lot, like...
Aug 17, 2021 · Heat rash develops when sweat ducts become blocked and trap perspiration beneath the skin. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include red bumps, itchiness and a prickling sensation. Main causes are hot, humid weather and friction on the skin’s surface.
