Heat rash — also known as prickly heat and miliaria — isn't just for babies. Heat rash affects adults, too, especially during hot, humid weather.
Heat rash develops when blocked pores (sweat ducts) trap perspiration under your skin. Symptoms range from superficial blisters to deep, red lumps. Some forms of heat rash feel prickly or intensely itchy.
Heat rash usually clears on its own. Severe forms of heat rash may need medical care, but the best way to relieve symptoms is to cool your skin and prevent sweating.
Causes--Heat rash develops when some of your sweat ducts clog. Instead of evaporating, perspiration gets trapped beneath the skin, causing inflammation and rash.
It's not always clear why the sweat ducts become blocked, but certain factors seem to play a role, including:
Immature sweat ducts. A newborn's sweat ducts aren't fully developed. They can rupture more easily, trapping perspiration beneath the skin. Heat rash can develop in the first week of life, especially if the infant is being warmed in an incubator, is dressed too warmly or has a fever.
Tropical climates. Hot, humid weather can cause heat rash.
Physical activity. Intense exercise, hard work or any activity that causes you to sweat heavily can lead to heat rash.
Overheating. Overheating in general — dressing too warmly or sleeping under an electric blanket — can lead to heat rash.
Prolonged bed rest. Heat rash can also occur in people who are confined to bed for long periods, especially if they have a fever.
Symptoms--Adults usually develop heat rash in skin folds and where clothing causes friction. In infants, the rash is mainly found on the neck, shoulders and chest. It can also show up in the armpits, elbow creases and groin.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
APIS MELLIFICA 30-Apis Mellifica is an excellent remedy for bringing relief from the burning, stinging and severe prickling heat rash. It soothing the burning and prickling sensation in heat rash cases. The skin eruptions are very sensitive to touch and the skin is red. The desire and tendency to bathe in cold water and uncover for relief from the burning sensation are the key factors that call for the use of Apis Mellifica. The person feels worse when he or she is in a warm room and looks for cool open air to get relief.
SULPHUR 200-The top Homeopathic remedy for relieving itching and burning in heat rash is Sulphur. The skin shows eruptions, either pimples or pustules, with itching. Scratching the eruptions is the general relieving factor found in a majority of persons needing Sulphur. The itching and burning get intolerable at night. Getting warm in bed excites the itching.Aversion to bathing is another key symptom. Washing and bathing worsen the itching in such persons. Intense heat in palms and soles.
NATRUM MUR 30-Natrum Mur is the ideal Homeopathy remedy for heat rash that gets worse with exertion. Natrum Mur can be taken in all those cases of heat rash where eruptions and itching increase with exertion in physical activities. Shooting pain appears in the eruptions following exertion. Itching, stinging and pricking sensation are also prominent. Worse in heat of sun. Better in open air . Natrum Mur patient may have a high craving for salty food.
HEPAR SULPH 30-Hepar sulph is very effective for heat rash with pus containing eruptios. Very sensitive pustules on skin with intense pricking and burning stinging sensation. The pustules are sensitive to the slightest touch. Excessive perspiration is present in almost all persons needing Hepar Sulph.
ACONITUM NAPELLS 30- Aconite is ideal when red pimples with itching appear on the body. The child gets restless with the itching and feels good in open air. The itching worsens in a warm room. The child also may demand water in large quantities.
CHAMOMILLA 30- Chamomilla is the best remedy for children who have heat rash with itching that gets worse at night. The child shows utmost irritability along with itching. The child may also show a desire for being carried by parents in most cases.