Prickly heat: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition of prickly heat

Prickly heat (also known as miliaria or heat rash) is a condition that occurs when sweat, dead skin cells, or bacteria get trapped under the skin. This includes the types of skin problems that occur in children and adults.

Prickly heat will usually go away on its own within a few days. However, in some more serious cases, the effect can interfere with the body's heat regulation mechanism.

How common are prickly heat?

Prickly heat is a very common condition. Anyone can experience this condition. However, this condition generally affects people who live in tropical countries.

In addition, this condition also occurs more frequently in children and infants because the sweat glands in the body are still not fully formed. However, many adults suffer from this condition.

To find out more information regarding this condition, you can consult your doctor.

Prickly heat signs and symptoms

Common symptoms of prickly heat are:

• small, red bumps on the skin,
• mild swelling,
• hives, as well
• an intense stinging or prickling sensation.

These symptoms usually appear on the neck, shoulders, chest, the area around the body creases, and groin. The intensity will be worse in parts of the body that are often closed.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, contact your doctor for a consultation.

When to see a doctor for prickly heat?

Prickly heat usually goes away within a few days, but can affect heat regulation in the body. You should contact your doctor if you experience:

• the affected area feels very sore or swollen,
• elastic contains too much pus,
• swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, neck or groin, as well
• fever or chills.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes and risk factors for prickly heat

Prickly heat occurs when your sweat ducts become blocked. Instead of escaping and evaporating, this sweat gets trapped under the skin, causing inflammation and a rash.

Generally, this condition occurs when the sufferer is in an area with weather that tends to be hot, although it is possible to experience it in any situation.

Some people who are accustomed to cold climates may experience this condition when visiting tropical climates.

In adults, too much sweat production can cause the pores and sweat glands to overwork and become clogged. This clogged sweat is what makes skin irritation and prickly heat.

In children, their sweat glands are still not fully formed and break easily, causing sweat to become trapped under the skin.

Risk factors for developing this condition

Prickly heat is a condition that can affect anyone of any age group and race. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this condition.

Below are the risk factors that trigger this condition.

• Age: Infants and toddlers are more at risk of prickly heat, because the sweat glands are not functioning properly.
• Living in a tropical climate: people who live in tropical climates are more prone to prickly heat because of the often hot and humid weather.
• Descendants of the family: Having a family member or parent who has problems with the production of sweat in your body increases your risk of experiencing the same thing.
• Low immune system: this factor also includes people with diseases that weaken the immune system such as diabetes.
• Doing strenuous physical activity in unsuitable clothing: physical activity done in clothes that are too tight will raise your body temperature and trigger this condition.
• Take certain drugs: In some cases, sweat-inducing drugs such as bethanechol can trigger prickly heat. The drugs doxorubicin, erythropoietin, and isotretinoin are also still associated with this condition.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely experience this condition. However, you still have to be careful when you want to move in a hot or humid place.

Diagnosis and treatment

How are prickly heat diagnosed?

Prickly heat is a condition that does not require specific tests to be diagnosed. Your doctor can diagnose this condition by looking at how your skin looks.

During the examination, the doctor will also ask about other symptoms you feel and your medical history.

What are the drugs to treat this disease?

Prickly heat will usually go away and heal on its own within a few days.

The doctor will recommend avoiding heat and humid air, wearing light and loose clothing, and reducing activities that make you sweat quickly.

You may need medication as a way to deal with prickly heat by relieving the itching it causes. Below are the drugs recommended by the doctor.

1. Lotion calamine

Lotion it has many benefits for the skin because of the zinc oxide content in it. Lotion Calamine can be used to relieve itching of the skin. You can apply it using cotton.

2. Hydrocortisone cream

This cream can be used to relieve prickly heat. Hydrocortisone creams are available over the counter and can be used 1-2 times a day to relieve itching.

For application to babies, avoid the part covered by the diaper. Applying cream to the area covered by the diaper can make irritation worse.

3. Antihistamine drugs

You can buy this drug in pharmacies, either in topical or tablet form. Antihistamines can help relieve itching on the skin.

If you want to give antihistamines to your child, consult your pediatrician first to get the right dose.

Home care

Apart from medication, there are other ways to help deal with the symptoms caused by this condition. Treatment aims to soothe, cool, and reduce skin inflammation and prevent the risk of infection.

There are many ways to treat and treat heat rashes at home. This medication can help calm, cool the skin, and reduce inflammation and the risk of infection.

Most importantly, avoid scratching the rashes and bumps that appear on your skin. Scratching the itchy area can actually increase the risk of irritation and infection.

1. Take a cold shower

Miliaria can be relieved when the skin is exposed to air or cold water. Therefore, you can try taking a cold shower.

Bathing can also help open the pores of your skin. This is important because clogged pores can lead to rashes and bumps.

After bathing, make sure you dry your body properly. Skin that is not properly dried is at risk of irritation.

2. Using a fan and air conditioner

While recovering, make sure you avoid the weather or hot and humid air. Good room ventilation can help your skin calm and heal faster. Use a fan or install it air conditioner (AIR CONDITIONING).

3. Wear the right clothes

Apart from cooling down to room temperature, you must wear appropriate and appropriate clothing. Choose fabrics that are light and loose, so that the clothes won't rub against your skin or cause you to overheat.

The materials you can choose from are polyester or other synthetic fabrics designed for sports. This type of clothing is good for keeping skin moist.

You can also choose clothes made from cotton. Cotton is good for circulating your body and making it more comfortable to wear.

4. Compress cold water

Cold compresses are one of the easiest ways to soothe irritated skin. You can soak a towel in cold water, or wrap ice cubes in a cloth.

Then, compress your skin that is affected by prickly heat and irritation.

5. Using natural ingredients

Several natural ingredients such as oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera can be used to reduce skin irritation. These three ingredients have anti-inflammatory components that can relieve symptoms of itching and redness.

You can use colloidal oatmeal or baking soda in your bath. Meanwhile, aloe vera can be applied directly to the problematic skin.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.