We have different seasons in our calendar. Sometimes it is very cold and sometimes it is very hot. Winter snows are beautiful, but they limit our daily activities. Summertime is our most fun time of the year. We go on vacation, spend time at the beach, eat outside, get wild, and enjoy ourselves as much as possible. For some, summer is the time for serious business, for special projects that require long hours of direct sunlight. Working in hot sun can bring many health risks that affect the skin in many different ways. One of the most common skin risks that hardly anyone escapes is heat rash. Heat rash is also known as miliaria, prickly heat, and is very common in children. It is also very common in adults.
Causes
Heat rash is one of the most common skin conditions caused by excessive sweating in hot, humid weather. When a person sweats excessively, too much of the sweat gets trapped underneath the skin and clings to the sweat glands. The blocked sweat glands do not clear the sweat and cause rashes. Heat rash can be caused by excessive sweating, excessive body temperature, being over-dressed, or being in a warm environment for an extended period. Children wrapped tightly in warm clothing and those who are not accustomed to hot weather tend to be more likely to develop heat rash. There are many reasons why sweat glands can block. Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
- Immature sweat duct in babies
- Excess physical activity
- Hot and humid climate
- Thick fabrics
- Few perspiration medicines
- Excessive heating of the body by sleeping in an electric blanket and wearing too many clothes.
- Excessive use of creams or ointments that block the sweat glands.
- Fever and bed rest for extended periods
Symptoms
Heat rashes are most commonly found in the areas where folds of skin meet and touch other skin. These areas include the neck and shoulder area, the upper chest, the scalp (especially if you wear a hat all the time), the groin (the area where your abdomen meets your thigh), the folds of your elbow and armpit, and the area under your breast. When you get a heat rash, you may feel irritation and a burning sensation on your skin. You may also see red rashes or small red bumps that may itch. You may not be able to sweat in the affected area. Some people may see skin colour lesions that look like goosebumps, while others may feel dizziness, nausea, or rapid pulse.
Best time to consult a physician
Most of the time, a heat rash will go away on its own, but if it lasts more than 4 days, or if it seems to worsen day by day, then it is time to see a doctor. If the rash is very itchy, or if it is accompanied by pain and heat in the affected area, then a doctor should be called. If a heat rash causes fever, swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, throat, and groin, and pus or fluid oozing from the area, then you should see a doctor. Signs and symptoms of severe heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat-related rash should be treated as seriously as possible.
Treatment
Keeping your skin cool and dry is the best way to treat a heat rash. Avoid spending too much time in a hot and dry environment. Use an air conditioner or a fan to keep the temperature down and circulate the air. You can use cool compressors on the affected areas. Keeping the affected area dry is very important. After bath drying under a fan, dry skin will dry faster and you won’t sweat. Wearing clean dry, loose cotton clothes will help keep skin from rubbing and irritation. If you have a fever, you can take over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. You can use only be prescribed lotions if the rash is severe and irritation continues. You can be prescribed calamine lotion for itchy skin. Lanolin helps to block the duct and stop new lesions. In more severe cases, you can be prescribed topical steroids.
Prevention
Heat rashes can be prevented by following a few simple tips. During the summer, wear loose-fitting, lightweight cotton clothing and avoid tight clothing. Turn on the AC or fan to stay cool in hot weather. Sleep in a cool, ventilated room. Let kids play in cool, shady places. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Outlook
As everyone knows heat rashes is not a serious disease or illness, it’s just a condition that arises due to too hot and humid weather. Getting heat rashes is very common, everybody needs to take proper preventive steps to avoid heat rashes and proper care to keep body temperature low once they have heat rashes. Heat rash usually goes away in 7-10 days. Cool and dry skin is healthy skin; therefore try to keep your skin dry and cool.
