What heat rash looks like

[sasholi]

Hi all. I just read the post on heat rashes. Does it look like little tiny red dots that are slightly raised? Like little pin pricks?

Do you know if they cause irritation? My son has been irritable lately and I am now just wondering if that could be the cause???

[Nickster]

It certainly sounds like it to me, without actually seeing it or being a GP or anything, of course... :o . Libby had it for a few days last week, on the top of her shoulder blades, so I just put curash powder on and voila, it has disappeared!

[perrywinkle]

Just copied this from a website:-


HEAT RASH OR PRICKLY HEAT



What is heat rash or prickly heat?
Prickly heat, or heat rash, is a harmless but very itchy skin rash with small red spots all over the affected areas. It is common in Australia in hot and humid areas.

What causes heat rash?
The rash is caused by a blockage and inflammation of sweat ducts during times of exposure to heat and high humidity. These blocked sweat ducts cause sweat to escape into adjacent tissue thus producing the itching and prickling sensations associated with the condition.

What are the symptoms of prickly heat?

Tiny red spots, which usually appear on areas of the body where sweat collects, such as the armpits, back, under the breasts, chest, groin, crooks of elbows and knees, and the waist.
Irritating itch and prickling sensation.
Redness and mild swelling of the affected area.

What you can do
Treating heat rash is simple and usually does not require medical assistance. Other heat-related problems can be much more severe.

Wear light, loose-fitting soft clothes. Avoid clothing that traps heat and moisture. Natural fabrics such as cotton are best.
Stay in cool or air-conditioned, or well-ventilated environments. Use a fan if necessary.
Take frequent cool baths or showers. Dry yourself thoroughly and dust bland types of powder (such as unperfumed talcum powder) on body creases and affected areas.
Apply calamine lotion or prickly rash lotions to soothe the affected areas, but avoid using ointments or creams — they keep the skin warm and moist and may make the condition worse.
Do not scratch.

[Kirstlea]

Hi There

We suffer prickly heat all the time up here in Cairns. I work with an islander mother who told me to use cornflour.

I couldn't believe my ears. lol. But it works very well. The reason being that it is a natural powder and drys up the area where you have the rash.

But you have to avoid talcs etc as they block up the pores even more and make it worse.

The islanders have many natural ideas that I used to laugh at until I had a child and believe me they are pretty amazing commonsense remedies.

It won't hurt to give it a try. I would love to know if it worked for you.

Regards

Kirsten