The summer season can be quite discomforting for newborns and infants. Increased temperature can cause excess sweating. It can cause skin issues, such as prickly heat problem.
Heat rash or prickly heat symptoms can appear unexpectedly and look quite dangerous within a few hours. Since babies have thinner and delicate skin, they are more likely to experience this skin issue. It can make your child irritable and restless. Therefore, you need to find the best prickly heat treatment to comfort the baby as soon as possible.
Babies experience the prickly heat issue when their skin becomes too warm. It is quite an uncomfortable situation for the child. Continue reading to reveal prickly heat causes, symptoms, and cure.
What is the Heat Rash or Prickly Heat?
Heat rash or prickly heat is a skin condition that troubles both children and adults. It occurs due to clogged sweat glands. The baby’s skin gets warmer and then sweat is released. There will be no skin rash if sweat flows out of the skin. Tiny blisters can appear on the baby’s skin if sweat gets trapped into the skin.
Many people call it sweat rash because clogged sweat glands cause this problem. Many babies suffer from this skin issue because their sweat glands are under development.
It is a discomforting situation for babies. Most newborns cry when they get skin rashes. You can choose different treatments to cure this skin condition and comfort your baby. Let’s learn more about prickly heat treatment.
Why Do Babies Get Heat Rashes?
Hot weather is the main culprit behind the prickly heat issue. It worsens the situation when accompanied by humidity. Skin temperature increases when humidity levels increase in the atmosphere. The baby’s body sweats to cool down the skin temperature.
When it is quite hot and humid out there, the baby’s body will release more sweat to control the body temperature. This action overwhelms your child’s sweat glands and they get clogged.
Sweat gets trapped underneath the skin and it tries to escape through the thin layer of skin. Consequently, tiny red blisters appear on the skin, which we call heat rashes. This issue mostly troubles babies during the summer season. However, babies can get heat rashes any time of the year.
The baby may experience this issue when the room temperature is hotter than usual. Other things that may trigger this skin reaction are:
- A baby can get heat rashes due to wearing too many hot clothes. He won’t face the risk of skin rashes if his clothing is appropriate according to the weather.
- Since an infant’s body can’t regulate temperature effectively, he might get heat rashes whenever the temperature is hotter. You should condition his room temperature to prevent this problem.
- Your baby’s skin folds can trap heat and cause skin rashes.
You can easily control the temperature in the baby’s room to protect him against heat rashes. Constantly monitor the room temperature to avoid both cold and heat rashes.
What are the Symptoms of Heat Rashes?
Prickly heat symptoms are quite straightforward. There will be red bumps on the baby’s skin. It will itch a lot and the baby will feel quite uncomfortable due to constant inflammation. The baby might get quite upset whenever his cloth rubs against heat rashes.
The most common areas where heat rash symptoms appear are:
Your baby will get red bumps and rashes over his neck, buttocks, chest, and face due to excess heat. Check folds of skin, where heat might get trapped. You will spot tiny blisters over there. Skin irritation will be common until the prickly heat issue is cured. Your baby will look calmer and happier once those symptoms vanish.
When do blisters appear on the baby’s skin?
When sweat gets trapped underneath sweat ducts, it constantly tries to escape. It sneaks below the upper layer of the skin and then blisters appear on the skin. The skin reaction looks like red patches on the skin. Those swollen patches will itch frequently and cause discomfort to the child.
What Type of Medications are Used to Treat Prickly Heat Rashes?
The following medications are chosen to cure prickly heat issue. You should take these drugs only under the doctor’s guidance!
Non-prescribed cures:
Prickly heat lotion and powder are non-prescribed drugs to treat this problem. You can easily find powder and lotion at local pharmacies. High-quality prickly heat powder offers immediate comfort. Heat rash lotions work longer to keep the skin cool and cure blisters.
Home remedies:
Various home remedies are used in different countries to treat heat rashes. Some remedies involve the use of herbs and medicinal plants to soothe itching. Popular remedies include baking soda, cinnamon, mint, etc. These ingredients exterminate bacteria and alleviate inflammation.
Prescription drugs:
The doctor will prescribe antibiotic drugs and heat rash creams to treat the skin reaction faster. Prescribed drugs work on the root cause of the issue. The doctor may recommend some tests before prescribing drugs. These tests will help in diagnosing the type of skin reaction to implement a perfect cure.
Which Home Remedies Work Best Against the Baby’s Heat Rashes?
Parents can try the following home remedies to soothe inflammation and treat the baby’s heat rashes:
Cold compress:
Cold compress is a reliable home remedy to soothe inflammation. It also works great when it comes to reducing skin redness. Use a pack filled with ice cubes and gently press it against the baby’s heat rashes. That cool touch might be a bit uncomfortable for the child, but it will relieve itching.
Oatmeal bath:
This home remedy works against many skin allergies. Oats offer avenanthramides, known for their antioxidant properties. These anti-inflammatory compounds can provide quick relief against itching. The baby’s heat rashes will recover faster if he does not scratch the affected skin area. Therefore, the oatmeal bath is an effective home remedy for prickly heat.
Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is a natural cure for skin allergies. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe itching and cure blisters. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil on the affected skin area to quickly comfort your baby.
Cucumber paste:
Cut the cucumber into small slices and then prepare a thick paste. Now, apply that paste directly over skin rashes. Do not rub cucumber slices on your baby’s heat rashes because it may cause itching. Use your fingers or a spoon to gently spread the paste to heat rashes. It will work to comfort your child.
Coriander paste:
Prepare coriander paste with water and apply it on heat rashes. Now, let it dry and then bath your baby. Lukewarm water will be perfect to bathe the baby.
How to Prevent the Baby from Scratching Heat Rashes?
Prickly heat symptoms occur on the baby’s skin when sweat ducts get clogged. This skin allergy causes inflammation and itching. Infants and young kids cannot resist scratching the skin. Frequent scratching can turn those tiny blisters into major wounds. Try the following tips to not let your baby scratch heat rashes.
Timely apply the ointment:
Prickly heat ointment prevents itching and cures skin infection faster. Consult with a dermatologist to learn how much and how often you should apply the ointment. The baby won’t scratch when rashes are not itching. Thus, his skin condition will improve much faster.
Maintain a comforting environment in the house:
You should use the fan or air conditioner to maintain 25°C-30°C temperature inside the baby’s room. Your baby’s skin will stay cool and rashes won’t itch a lot. The baby won’t scratch his skin if there is no itching.
Put on loose clothes:
Do not make your baby wear tight clothes when he got heat rashes. Use soft clothes to comfort your baby. His clothes should be loose and comforting. Thus, he won’t experience burning sensation and sleep calmly.
When You Should Take Your Baby to a Doctor?
Heat rashes usually vanish within one or two days. The baby does not need special treatment to cure this problem. You can try one of the suggested home remedies to comfort your baby and cure his skin allergies. Take your baby to a doctor if one or more of the following symptoms appear:
- Tiny blisters across the baby’s body
- Fever
- Pain
- Large blisters
- Pain
- Yellowish fluid coming out of rashes
- Aching body
You can also take your baby to the doctor when you spot heat rashes for the first time. The doctor will conduct certain tests to find the best cure for your baby. Thus, you will know what cure to try if rashes appear in the future.
Conclusion
Prickly heat treatment is simple and quite affordable. Many parents don’t consult the doctor because they know it will cure within one or two days. We have explained when to see a doctor for prickly heat treatment. So, follow the tips, home remedies, and guide shared in this post to comfort your child as quickly as possible.
