Prickly Heat

Prickly heat is also called heat rash or sweat rash. A high-sounding medical term for heat rash is miliaria. In the native tongue, it is called bungang araw. Heat rash, although common in newborns, babies and children, affects adults too, during hot and humid weather. It appears anywhere in the body, but it usually affects the feet, back, neck, groin, hands, armpits, abdomen and upper chest. In some people, most especially those who live in tropical countries like ours, heat rash impinges on the forehead and face.

Aside from hot and humid weather, intense exercise and physical activities that make you sweat heavily can trigger heat rash. Prickly heat can also occur in the bedridden or people who are confined to bed for long periods.

Mechanism of the condition

Prickly heat is a form of swelling and rash in the skin. It develops when some of your skin pores (sweat ducts) are clogged. Instead of evaporating, perspiration gets trapped beneath the skin. When your skin pores suddenly burst open, skin irritation happens and results to prickly heat.

Symptoms

Prickling sensation and itch are the common symptoms pointing to heat rash. Small red spots appear on the skin. Redness and mild swelling is present on the affected areas of the body. The deeper layer of the skin can be affected and prickly heat appears as goose bumps. In some cases, prickly heat forms pus-filled sacs (vesicles).

Treatment

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter topical treatment for prickly heat. Antihistamine or anti-allergy or anti-itch medicine can help in the reduction and treatment of itch and prickling sensation. Steroidal cream, such as hydrocortisone is indicated or used, but only upon the advice of your doctor.

Prevention

1. Avoid overdressing. In these hot days, wear soft, lightweight, and cotton clothing.

2. Avoid tight-fitting clothes that can irritate the skin.

3. Stay in the shade or in an air-conditioned place. Use a fan to circulate the air.

4. Keep your sleeping area cool and with good ventilation.

When do you need to see your doctor?

Prickly heat can heal even without medicine. You need to see your doctor if the symptoms last longer than a few days or if the heat rash seems to be getting worse. If there’s pain and swelling, redness or warmth around the affected area, pus is draining from the lesions; if you feel some enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit, groin, or neck; and if you’re running a fever, go and see your doctor.