Overcoming prickly heat, how effective is it?

Prickly heat (miliria) is caused by a blockage in the sweat glands that prevents sweat from escaping, causing irritation in the form of a red rash on the skin. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to treat the symptoms of prickly heat.

How to deal with prickly heat

This type of skin disease is relatively mild and often does not cause serious problems. Symptoms can disappear on their own within a few days. However, symptoms such as hives can certainly be annoying.

Therefore, here are various ways and remedies that you can take to treat the symptoms of prickly heat.

1. Using a cold compress

One easy way to relieve itching is to apply a cold compress to the problem area. To do this, you can use a clean cloth soaked in cold water or wrapped ice cubes.

Compress the affected part with prickly heat for up to 20 minutes.

2. Apply calamine

Calamine is often used to relieve itching and irritation of the skin thanks to its zinc oxide content. This medication is available in lotion and ointment form.

Before using it, shake the calamine lotion bottle first. Then, spit out an appropriate amount on a cotton ball and gently wipe it over the area of ​​the skin affected by prickly heat. Let the lotion dry.

3. Using topical steroids

Another way to deal with prickly heat is by applying steroid drugs. This medication has anti-inflammatory components that will help relieve itching and redness.

Steroid drugs that can be used for this condition are mild ones such as hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is usually found in cream form and is available at pharmacies. You only need to apply a thin layer on the itchy skin 1-2 times a day.

4. Take antihistamine drugs

Antihistamines are known as drugs that can relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction. However, it turns out that this drug can also relieve symptoms for prickly heat. Antihistamines work to reduce itching on the skin.

Before you decide to choose a particular drug, don't forget to consult your doctor to make sure the use of the drug is really safe.

How do you deal with prickly heat with natural ingredients?

Apart from compressing and using medical drugs, there are several natural ingredients that also have the potential to help with prickly heat symptoms. Here are a few of them.

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a natural ingredient that is known to be quite effective in reducing itching and inflammation of the skin. Oatmeal has been widely used as a skin care ingredient and treatment for several types of skin diseases.

The components contained in colloidal oatmeal are proven to have shown anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity which is certainly good for treating prickly heat.

To use it, you can mix 1 or 2 cups of oatmeal in warm water. Then, use the soaking water for bathing. Make sure the water is not too hot so that the skin doesn't irritate.

2. Aloe vera

Aloe vera or aloe vera can provide a cool sensation, so it can reduce the intensity of the itching you feel. In addition, aloe vera also contains antiseptics which are good for preventing infections of the skin.

You can treat prickly heat using aloe vera by applying the gel to the affected area of ​​the skin.

3. Sandalwood

A study in 2011 has shown that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic components contained in sandalwood can reduce the burning sensation and pain that often occurs when you experience prickly heat.

How to use it, mix sandalwood powder with rose water until it thickens, then apply it to the problematic skin area.

The natural ingredients above can indeed help the healing process. However, please note that not everyone is suitable for using natural ingredients, especially for people who have allergies.

Therefore, make sure that you do not have allergies to certain ingredients. If you are not sure, consult your doctor to get the right solution.

What to remember when dealing with prickly heat

In addition to overcoming prickly heat in the methods above, another thing that of course must also be done is to avoid the triggers of the disease in the following ways.

• Use loose cotton clothing to prevent overheating, especially if you are doing strenuous physical activity.
• Use less irritating fabrics such as wool.
• Take a cool shower.
• Avoid too long activities in hot places.
• Drink lots of water to reduce dehydration which can affect the skin.
• Don't use creams or ointments such as aluminum chloride, which can clog sweat ducts.