Summer means hotter temperatures and lazy days spent by the pool. Unfortunately, for some, the hot weather can lead to overheating and characteristic red bumps known as heat rash, especially babies who haven’t developed the ability to regulate body temperature. Learn how to recognize and prevent this condition.

What is it?

Heat rash is a common condition that occurs when the body becomes overheated, causing the skin to become red and inflamed with dozens of tiny bumps. Heat rash is also sometimes referred to as prickly heat or miliaria because the skin may feel hot to the touch during an outbreak. Once the skin has broken out with a heat rash, it generally feels itchy, tingly, or prickly and bumps typically appear on areas of the skin that are covered by clothing, such as upper body, arms or even the head. Scratching will cause the bumps to swell and possibly lead to infection so monitor excess scratching, particularly in children as this will only increase the sensitivity of the skin.

How do you get it?

Heat rash does not discriminate and can affect all ages, often striking infants, bedridden patients, or folks who are active outside during warm weather. It is common in hot, humid climates but can also occur in cold weather when too many layers are worn and the body overheats. When overheated, sweat helps to cool a person’s body temperature. However, if there is excessive sweating and the body can’t cool down, the opposite result can occur: sweat becomes trapped under the surface of the skin, causing damage to the cells on the skin’s surface, and forming prickly bumps. The bumps eventually burst and release the sweat, causing the stinging or burning sensation.

Treatment:

Although it usually goes away on its own, heat rash should be watched carefully as it can interfere with the body’s heat regulation mechanism by blocking the sweat ducts, and can lead to heat exhaustion. Heat rash can also lead to secondary skin infections, especially if the bumps are scratched or abraded. Symptoms to watch for include fever or chills, swollen glands, pus, and increased swelling. If the rash doesn't clear with a few days without treatment, call a doctor for further treatment.

Product Picks:

Prescription calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can be used to soothe irritated skin, but until the lesions have cleared and the rash is gone, all other body lotions or creams should be avoided as they can cause further irritation.

Special considerations:

It’s particularly important to watch out for heat rash in infants as they can’t express when they are too hot or dressed in too many layers. Babies should be dressed the same as adults during the summer months; layer clothing to allow for times when your child may be hot or cold, reach for 100% cotton which will breath and protect the skin, and don&squo;t forget a hat! If your child shows signs of heat rash, remove them from the heat immediately and begin a cool down by removing clothing and/or applying a cool washcloth to the skin.

See also:

Sunscreen and Children: What Every Parent Must Know

Soft and Sweet: Skincare for Baby

MRSA Outbreaks in Skin