Heat Rash Remedies

With summer comes the reason to take a dip in the cool waters of one's swimming pool, sipping iced tea or a cool, refreshing lemonade. The cold, chilly winds that have gone with the winters, gives one the opportunity to plan out picnics over the weekend. However, with the pleasures of the summer comes the problem of heat and sweat. One of the most common problems of the summer are the tiny, itchy, red bumps known as heat rash that most commonly occur on one's back, chest and neck. Hence it always helps to know a few heat rash remedies.

Cause

Perspiration is an important mechanism of the body that helps us to keep our bodies cool. As we perspire, the sweat takes away some of our body heat that helps our body to regulate its temperature during the hot summers. However, wearing tight fitting clothes made from fabrics like nylon and polyester does not allow the perspiration to evaporate. This heats up the skin and plugs the sweat ducts. As the perspiration cannot be released out of the skin, the blocked sweat ducts force the sweat into the skin. This results in the formation of heat rash or what is more commonly known as prickly heat.

Remedies

The remedies given below are as simple as treating diaper rash or sunburn. The following cures will help one to relieve the discomforts of prickly heat.

Cool Your Body: The most important step towards treating heat rash is to cool the body. In case you are suffering from heat rash, take regular breaks and sit in a cool environment, most preferably in an air conditioned room. This cools down your body reducing the rate of sweating thus keeping the affected area dry. Take a long, cool shower. Not only does a shower help to cool down the body, but it also removes all the dirt and sweat that may have accumulated on the skin. If this dirt is not removed then it may further clog the sweat pores and aggravate the condition.

Powdered Bath: Using baking soda or fine ground oatmeal powder provides quick relief to the itching caused due to heat rash. Add a few spoonfuls to your bath and soak yourself in it for about 20 to 30 minutes. This is one of the very useful remedies to treat heat rash that also leaves one feeling refreshed.

Ice Packs: Applying an ice pack to the aggravated area is a very useful heat rash cure. Pack some ice cubes into a sealed plastic bag or in a soft cloth and apply the cold compress for 5 to 10 minutes to the affected area. Repeat this every 4 to 6 hours daily till the heat rash gets cured.

Powders: With little care, skin rash caused due to prickly heat gets healed. However, it causes itching and a pricking sensation that can cause a lot of discomfort. Dusting the affected area with some cornstarch, unscented talcum powder, baking soda or an absorbent powder will help heal the heat rash faster than when it is left to cure on its own.

Creams and Lotions: After cooling off one's body, the next main step to cure heat rash is to keep the skin dry. Avoid oil based creams or lotions as these may further block the sweat pores. However, mentholated or calamine lotion can be used as they have a soothing effect on the skin. A thin layer of a light cream containing hydrocortisone can be applied to the rash two to three times in a day to heal the bumps. Alternatively, gel from the aloe vera leaf could also be used as an effective prickly heat rash remedy.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Heat and sweat are synonymous with summers. However, by adopting the following steps one can avoid the discomforts of heat rash.

• Get out of heat the moment you feel that you have heat rash. Find a cool shady place and let your body cool down so that sweating can take place at normal pace and the sweat glands do not have to force excess perspiration out of the body to keep it cool.
• Wear the right clothes. Avoid tight fitting clothes. Loose clothes will let air to circulate through the body. This won't allow sweat to accumulate on the skin. Cotton is the best fabric for the summers as it serves the dual purpose of letting the skin breathe and also absorb excess sweat off the skin surface.
• When back at home try to leave as much part of your skin exposed. Allowing the skin to air dry is an effective precaution for heat rash.

Summertime is for fun and play. Don't let the spirit be marred due to prickly heat. Treat the skin rash with these easy heat rash remedies discussed and have a happy, healthy, and cool summer.