Some call it heat rash, others refer to it as prickly heat or miliaria. Whichever you chose, they all refer to the same health condition. A common skin condition marked by small red bumps.
The basic cause of heat rash is sweat gland duct blockage. And bacteria that normally dwells on your skin is the likely suspect for causing your sweating obstruction.
Prickly heat usually occurs in overdressed infants or to those living in hot, humid tropical climate. Miliaria is particularly common if you’ve recently moved into an excessive sweat creating environment.
The small red bumps generated by a heat rash may cause symptoms of intense:
- itching
- stinging
- prickly pain
And your miliaria caused rash symptoms will likely worsen around heat.
Your tiny red bumps may materialize with a high fever, excessive sweating or wearing non-breathable fabrics. Typically, the highest concentration of prickly heat papules erupt in covered friction areas, i.e. your neck, chest, groin, arm pits and skin folds.
A heat rash can cause overheating complications because sweat obstruction over a large skin surface prevents your body from cooling itself. Another associated health issue is skin infections due to scratching. And if your infection is caused by a bacteria, then antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
Treatment of your small red bumps caused by prickly heat starts by cooling down. This means removing excess clothing and seek a cooler environment.
Apply a cool compress to the bumpy areas affected by the heat rash to treat your symptoms. Taking a cool baking soda or oatmeal bath also helps treat miliaria discomfort.
To help prevent future episodes of heat rash you could try using a topical antiseptic routinely or apply topical anhydrous lanolin to friction prone spots before embarking on sweat filled activities.
A couple of general measures for preventing prickly heat is to wearing loose fitting garments and removing sweaty clothes whenever possible.
