Heat Rash – It’s HOT outside!
We’ve had an unusual summer here in WV with some 50-degree mornings in June, but now it’s finally HOT and we’re wishing for those cool mornings. Alas, it will be fall before we know it. In the meantime, hot weather can bring heat rash. This post addresses what heat rash is and how to treat it once it occurs.
Heat rash, which is separate from sunburn, is not very common in our modern-day air-conditioned society. As a dermatologist, I have most often seen heat rash in those who are confined to a bed or a chair where their back is not well aerated. It usually appears as very small pin head sized red juicy bumps on the skin. Versus sunburn is usually solid, contiguous red or pink.
The scientific name for heat rash is Miliaria, not to be confused with Malaria or Milium. (Why are all these names so similar?!) Miliaria occurs when the sweat glands are occluded or for some reason and are not allowed to properly excrete sweat. The fancy name for sweat glands are eccrine glands. When the eccrine glands are obstructed, they cause inflammation in the skin known as heat rash.
Prevention of heat rash or miliaria involves lots of common-sense tips that just slip our mind at times.
-Wear moisture wicking materials when sweating extensively
-Change out of wet clothing that adheres to the skin when overheated.
-Rotate and reposition elderly who are bed and chair bound hourly.
-Use a fan to aerate moist areas.
-Avoid heavy comedogenic moisturizers
Treatment of miliaria primarily involves keeping the area dry. Sometimes using an OTC or Rx Hydrocortisone lotion is necessary to calm the inflammation. Cerave itch relief can be used if itchy.
For those of us who are blessed to be able to care for ourselves, heat rash is rarely an issue. If you are caring for a baby or elderly who cannot rotate and aerate themselves, please make a schedule to rotate them on a regular basis. If you know someone who is caring for the elderly, send them this article if you will!
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