Heat Rash Home Remedies - How to Get Rid of Heat Rash

Heat rash also called prickly heat and miliaria. Heat rash is a skin irritation and caused by humid weather. It usually occurs on clothed parts of the body. Heat rash is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing. It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. Heat rash is most common in babies, but may affect adults in hot, humid climates. Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, and, rarely, a secondary skin infection may develop. Miliaria (Prickly Heat) occurs when the sweat gland ducts get plugged with dead skin cells and bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis , a common bacterium that occurs on the skin which is also associated with acne . The trapped sweat leads to irritation (prickling), itching and to a rash of very small blisters, usually in a localised area of the skin. Heat rash occurs most often in hot, humid conditions, but you may develop it in cool weather if you are overdressed. It's most common in infants. Active people, newborns in incubators, and bedridden patients with fever also are more likely to get heat rash. It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children and in overweight people who have overlapping folds of fat. The condition isn't usually painful but it can be annoyingly itchy, and some of the pimples may be tender to the touch.

Heat rash begins with excessive perspiration, usually in a hot, humid environment. The perspiration damages cells on the surface of the skin, 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 is currently little in the way of specific medical treatment. Babies who suffer from heat rash should be bathed and dried thoroughly. Cloth diapers are recommended because they are more likely to allow the natural evaporation process to occur than are disposable diapers. Anti-itch lotions, such as calamine and topical steroid creams can be used to sooth and control the itching. Oil based products slow the defoliation process and should be avoided. Antibiotics and topical antiseptics are used to prevent bacterial blooms, reducing the chances of the sweat glands being plugged and causing inflammations. Keep your baby comfortably cool by dressing him in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, especially in warm, humid weather. Natural fabrics such as cotton are absorbent and will allow him to sweat more efficiently than synthetics. Avoid plastic pants and plastic diaper liners. If your baby's skin is irritable to touch, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream may be used with your health professional's approval. Avoid ointments or other lotions because they can irritate the skin.

Home Remedies for Heat Rash

• Some ice cubes into a sealed plastic bag and wrap it in a dishcloth. Apply to the affected areas for five to ten minutes at a time. Repeat every four to six hours.
• Baking soda or fine-ground oatmeal powder works wonders to ease the itch from a heat rash. Add a few tablespoons of either to your tepid bath water and stir it well so that it dissolves completely.
• There are many non- prescription lotions that relieve the itch from heat rash. Smooth mentholated or calamine lotion on your skin to cool the irritated areas. Alternatively, gently apply the gel from an aloe vera leaf, a plant well-known for its healing and soothing properties.
• Eat grapes or consume plenty of grape juice everyday.
• Combine cumin seeds (jeera) powder with coconut oil to obtain a thick consistency. Apply an hour before a bath.
• Drinking cool frothy butter-milk (Chaas) also does good.
• Boil neem leaves and use this water to bathe.
• A cold infusion of coriander (dhania) seeds twice a day also works wonders.
• Sattu mixed with water and a pinch of sugar gives immediate relief.
• Make a paste of sandalwood powder with rose water and apply to affected parts.
• Wear cotton clothes; avoid synthetic clothes and such garments which do not absorb sweat.