Prickly heat rash, also called miliaria,
is a rash that can develop after a person sweats far more than usual
and sweat glands become blocked.
Babies and children can also get prickly heat rash during hot or humid weather because their sweat glands are not fully developed.
Prickly heat causes an itchy rash of small red raised red spots with a prickling or stinging sensation.
Prickly heat usually affects parts of the body covered by clothes, such as the back, abdomen, neck, upper chest, groin or armpits.
Babies and children can also get prickly heat rash during hot or humid weather because their sweat glands are not fully developed.
Prickly heat causes an itchy rash of small red raised red spots with a prickling or stinging sensation.
Prickly heat usually affects parts of the body covered by clothes, such as the back, abdomen, neck, upper chest, groin or armpits.
Heat rash begins with excessive perspiration,
usually in a hot, humid environment. The perspiration makes it easier for dead skin cells
and bacteria on the skin to block the sweat glands, forming a barrier
and trapping sweat beneath the skin, where it builds up, causing the
characteristic bumps. As the bumps burst and sweat is released, there may be a
prickly, or stinging sensation that gives this condition its name.
The types of miliaria are classified
according to how deep the blocked sweat ducts are. Signs and symptoms for each
type vary.
- The mildest form of heat rash (miliaria crystallina) affects
the sweat ducts in the top layer of skin. This form is marked by clear,
fluid-filled blisters and bumps (papules) that break easily.
- A type that occurs deeper in the skin (miliaria rubra) is sometimes
called prickly heat. Signs and symptoms include red bumps and itching or
prickling in the affected area.
- Occasionally, the fluid-containing sacs (vesicles) of miliaria rubra
become inflamed and pus-filled (pustular). This form is called miliaria
pustulosa.
- A less common form of heat rash (miliaria profunda) affects the
dermis, a deeper layer of skin. Retained sweat leaks out of the sweat
gland into the skin, causing firm, flesh-colored lesions that resemble
goose bumps.
If your symptoms last longer than a few days, the rash seems to
be getting worse, or you notice signs of infection, such as:
·
Increased pain, swelling, redness
or warmth around the affected area
·
Pus draining from the lesions
·
Swollen lymph nodes in the
armpit, neck or groin
·
A fever or chills
Use one pf this remedies to help
you recover from heat rash or prickly heat (miliaria)
Remedies
for Prickly Heat
1. Oatmeal
bath is one of the very effective home remedies for prickly heat. Add
some oatmeal powder in to your bath water.
2. The
common treatment for prickly heat is to apply non-perfumed talcum powder or the
specially made prickly heat powder for four to five times a day.
3. Take
some Neem (margosa) leaves and make a paste by grinding with water. Apply this
on sweat rashes. Neem has antibacterial properties and can heal the infectious
blisters of advanced rash.
4. Apply
aloe Vera gel on prickly heat to get relief from itching as well as to heal them.
It contains excellent healing properties and will provide a cooling effect
5. Prepare
a cooling compress for your itchy and dreadful prickly heat. Dilute 1 tsp of
baking soda into 1 cup of cold water. Soak a clean washcloth into the solution
and squeeze it out to remove excess water. Apply the cloth to the rashes. While
the water will reduce inflammation, the baking soda will work towards easing
itching and irritation. Repeat 4 to 5 times a day for best results.
6. Prepare
a smooth paste by mixing cornstarch or flour with water. Smudge the paste over
the affected areas and allow it to dry for about ½ hour. Thereafter, go for a
cold water bath and wash off the paste.
7. Rub
an ice cube on heat rashes to get quick relief from the burning sensation.
You can also use cold compress or ice pack.
8.Take
two tablespoons each of coriander powder and sandalwood powder. Add enough rose
water to make a thick paste out of it. Apply the paste on your prickly heat
rashes and let it dry. When dry, wash it off with cold water.
9. Dust your
body with baking soda or sandalwood powder. Their cooling effect heals up
the heat rashes fast.
10. Gooseberry:
Take an earthen vessel and fill with water, then put some gooseberries cut
in pieces in the pot and cover it. Leave as it is for the whole night. On the
next day, mash up the berries in the pot, then filter the water, add sugar or
honey and drink. It removes heat from the body and helps for digestive system.
11. Take
henna powder and make a thick paste with cold water. Apply this to cool off the
pricking heat rashes. However, this might leave the area reddened due to the
coloring effect of henna. You can apply this home remedy
for the prickly heat rashes that would get covered with clothing.
12. Prickly
heat needs to be cured internally too. That is why I advise you to drink lime
juice at least three glasses per day. .
13. Take
about five tablespoons of Fuller’s earth and add rosewater to make a paste.
Apply this paste on prickly heat. Wash with cold water when it dries off.
14. Banyan
tree barks also help in treating prickly heat effectively. Take dry barks of
the banyan tree and grind them into a fine powder. Apply this powder on
affected areas for quick relief from prickly heat.
15. Apply
watermelon pulp on the prickly heat to heal them.
16. Crush
some leaves of Indian plum (jamun) and add baking soda to it. Apply this to your
prickly heat for instant relief.
17. Take
some neem oil and add camphor extract to this. Massage the body parts with
sweat rashes with this oil. Let it be there for about half an hour. Take bath
with cool water.
18. Mix gram
flour with water to make a diluted paste. Apply this to your body where
you have prickly heat. Let it dry for about an hour. Have shower with cool
water.
19. Put
one camphor tablet in a small bottle of coconut oil. Leave it overnight for the
camphor to melt in the oil. Apply this oil n regular intervals on the rashes.
This heals the rashes quick.
20. Honey
is a great source for speeding up the healing process. Apply it over effected
area.
21. Cucumbers
are another source of water for body and coolness. Directly apply to affected
skin, or eat it.
22. Mint
tea will lower body temperature and speed up healing of prickly heat.
To prevent
heat rash, avoid situations that can lead to excessive sweating, such as
hot, humid environments and strenuous physical activity. In hot weather,
use fans and cool showers and baths to stay cool, or air conditioning if
available; dry your skin thoroughly; and wear lightweight, loose-fitting
clothes ideally made from cotton.