When your child wakes up covered with angry little bumps, it’s normal to feel a little panicky. That was what an anonymous theAsianparent Community user found her child with—bumps on her face—and wondered if it was infant acne.
But as it turns out, it was a heat rash.
Image source: Supplied
“Looks like it could be heat rash,” wrote Hui Q.N, in response to the question.
Table of Contents
Baby Heat Rash: What Is It?
Heat rash is also known as prickly heat or miliaria. A skin flare happens when sweat glands and ducts become obstructed. As a result, sweat starts to return to the skin’s surface and dermis, the layer of tissue beneath the skin.
These rashes may feel prickly, itchy, and uncomfortable.
Even though anyone can develop heat rash, infants are more prone due to their immature sweat ducts.
Newborn heat rash or infant heat rash are characterised by:
- Tiny red bumps and redness on the skin.
- The rash is normally itchy, and affected skin can feel like its burning and/or prickly (like something is crawling on it)
- It commonly occurs on areas exposed to the sun, like the hands, face, neck, and elbow folds
- It can also occur in areas covered by tight clothing like the groin, thigh creases, and buttocks.
Although a heat rash can appear suddenly and appear alarming, it typically does not warrant worry. Due to their sensitive skin, babies are more susceptible to heat rash than adults.
It’s best to consult your paediatrician to confirm that it’s a heat rash, then treat it accordingly.
Heat Rash Causes
Heat rash is usually the result of blocked sweat glands, which can result from tight and heavy clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating; skin rubbing against other skin, and heavy creams and bandages that can clog sweat ducts.
Babies and small children are more prone to heat rash because their sweat glands are immature and they are unable to get rid of the sweat they produce. This is common when children are overdressed, bundled up for cold weather, or have a fever.
Swaddling, wearing warm clothing, having inadequate ventilation, and being close to heat sources like space heaters can all raise the risk. A rash on a part of the body that became especially warm might be noticed by a parent or caretaker.
“Children in Singapore are prone to heat rash as well due to our tropical weather, particularly if they are dressed too warmly or spend extended periods in hot and humid environments.
Babies and young children are especially susceptible as their sweat ducts are still developing,” said Dr Lee Hwee Chyen, Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist at Epi Dermatology & Laser Specialist Clinic
Babies at risk for developing heat rash
Baby heat rash risk factors are as follows:
- dressing inappropriately warm for the weather
- residing in a hot climate
- putting one’s body close to heat sources like space heaters or heat lamps
- swaddling, especially if it’s hot outside or the child is perspiring
- applying heavy lotions or oils to the skin, which can obstruct sweat ducts.
What Does Heat Rash Look Like?
Miliaria profunda, Miliaria rubra, and Miliaria crystallina are the three types of heat rash. Here, we’ll go over how each type of heat rash manifests itself because they are all a little bit different from one another.
Miliaria crystallina
Children and infants are more likely to develop this milder form of heat rash than adults. The tiny clusters of bumps on the skin may not itch or burn, and they may appear clear or flesh-toned.
Image source: iStock
You might notice that the sweat-filled bumps are bursting. Children’s heat rash can occasionally resemble infant acne.
Miliaria crystallina is only characterised by minute, transparent or white blisters that resemble water droplets. They don’t appear red or swollen.
After the affected layer of skin rubs off, the rash typically goes away in a day.
Miliaria rubra
Another name for miliaria rubra is prickly heat. It frequently affects newborn infants between 1 to 3 weeks old. This kind of rash appears when sweat glands close to the skin’s surface, or the epidermis, and the layer of tissue beneath it, the dermis, become clogged.
It causes red, itchy, or prickly bumps on the skin and is more prevalent in adults than in children. As a result of the sweat collecting beneath, the affected area may also appear inflamed.
Miliaria rubra symptoms include:
- Tiny blisters or red bumps
- colour changes like redness
- itching
Babies may repeatedly scratch their skin as a result of Miliaria rubra’s frequent itching.
It is referred to as miliaria pustulosa if the rash has pus-filled spots. A bacterial infection may be indicated by this.
Miliaria profunda
It can result in severe flushing and burning when sweat repeatedly seeps into the dermis. Infants with severe miliaria profunda may also show signs of heat exhaustion because their blocked sweat glands are unable to produce enough sweat to cool the infant down.
Heat rash of the Miliaria profunda variety is thought to be the most serious. Compared to kids or babies, adults are more likely to experience it. It causes the skin to develop large, flesh-coloured bumps that may feel rough or hard.
Mild to severe itching as well as firm, large, flesh-coloured spots that resemble pimples are signs of miliaria profunda.
In addition, a baby runs the risk of getting an infection if they scratch their rash.
Heat Rash Symptoms
Skin folds and areas where clothing rubs against the skin are where heat rash typically appears. You’ll find heat rash on the face, neck, shoulders, and chest in infants. Additionally, the groin, elbow creases, and armpits may all exhibit it.
Make sure to watch for signs of infection, which include:
- Red streaks from the affected area.
- Pus from the area.
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth
- Fever of 38°C or higher
- Chills
How Long Does Heat Rash Last?
Particularly in hot weather, a heat rash is easy to identify by its symptoms. A doctor can typically make a diagnosis based on a rash’s appearance if a parent or caregiver is unsure.
Once the skin has cooled off, the heat rash typically goes away. Heat rash usually goes away fairly quickly and doesn’t hurt too much, so it might not need medical attention. A healthcare professional may need to treat severe forms of the condition.
How To Get Rid Of Heat Rash Quickly?
“In most cases, the heat rash resolves on its own once the affected area is kept cool and dry,” said Dr Lee.
As soon as you cool your baby off, heat rash typically starts to go away on its own without any need for medical intervention.
The discomfort of a baby can be reduced, and the healing process can move more quickly. There are several at-home remedies to begin the rash’s recovery:
Cool the skin
Image source: Stock
“To combat heat rash, or miliaria, dressing the baby in breathable, lightweight clothing and keeping them cool are key,” the dermatologist added.
So, how exactly do you do that?
- At the first indication of a heat rash, move the child to a cool location.
- By taking off extra layers of clothing or moving to a cooled indoor area, you can cool the skin.
- Loosen or remove your baby’s clothing and move them to a cool spot.
- If your baby has been exposed to the heat and humidity outside, take off any wet clothing and use a fan to help dry their skin.
- Instead of using towels, let the skin air dry.
- Cool the afflicted area with a cold compress.
- To keep the baby’s skin cool, let it be naked.
- Use fans or air conditioning to keep the skin cool.
Clean skin folds
- Frequently clean skin folds to prevent accumulated sweat and oil from making the rash worse. Use cool water to wash away sweat and oil, then gently pat the area dry.
Apply water
- To treat minor rash patches, gently dab a cool, wet cloth on the rash to relieve tenderness and lower skin temperature if the affected area is relatively small, such as a patch on the back of the neck or in the creases of the elbows.
- For bigger rash lesions, you could also give your baby a cool bath for at least 10 minutes without using soap because that might aggravate their skin even more. Allow their skin to air dry after that. While your baby is taking a bath, watch over them constantly.
Keep the infant hydrated.
- This might entail giving breastfed infants a bottle whenever they want one and making sure older infants always have access to water.
Avoid using ointments or lotions, which can irritate the skin.
- You can use over-the-counter treatments like calamine or aloe vera lotions but note that excessive use of creams and lotions could aggravate the rash
Note that skin rash creams should not be applied unless a doctor prescribes a specific product. Using creams meant to treat allergic reactions may not be helpful because a heat rash is not one of them.
To hasten the healing process for severe heat rashes or rashes that do not go away on their own, a doctor may prescribe a steroid cream.
Heat rashes can, on occasion, become infected, particularly if a baby scratches them. A fever and other symptoms of illness could be brought on by a heat rash that is infected.
A parent or other adult can consult a doctor if a baby has a fever or appears ill. Antibiotics may be recommended by medical professionals to treat any bacterial infection.
How to Prevent Heat Rash
The best way to prevent heat rash is to keep sweat glands from clogging up. You can do this by:
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Wearing loose-fitting and breathable clothing.
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Keep skin dry, especially areas like skin folds or creases where sweat can accumulate.
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Stay in air conditioning whenever possible if you are prone to heat rash.
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Keep infants out of the sun’s direct rays.
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Refrain from placing infants in front of heaters or other heat sources directly.
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Watch out for signs of excessive sweating in infants. Move a baby to a cooler area if they appear flushed or are perspiring.
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Re-rinse laundry. Fabrics may retain detergent or laundered-in residue, which can irritate skin or worsen heat rashes. Consider adding an extra rinse cycle or modifying your detergent dosage.
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Keep them hydrated. Take frequent breaks for milk or water whether you’re playing in the cold or the heat. Body temperatures are more likely to remain at normal ranges when your baby is well-hydrated.
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Keep away from items made of oil. Oil-containing products, particularly those made of petroleum or mineral oils, can further clog the sweat ducts.
Updates by Matt Doctor
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