Heat Rash in Babies – Treatment & Prevention

Heat rash (also known as prickly heat or miliaria) is one of the most common and bothersome problem in babies owing to their underdeveloped sweat glands & sensitive skin. These rashes can be very itchy, prickly & make the child feel very cranky due to the discomfort.

This article will provide an overview of the problem of heat rash in babies, causes, various available treatments & prevention methods that parents can adopt at home.

Why do Babies get Heat Rash ?

Heat rashes in babies appear when the body becomes very hot and skin starts producing sweat as a cooling mechanism. This sweat gets trapped under the skin due to clogs in their smaller sweat glands. Babies also have very sensitive skin and are unable to regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults further exaggerating this problem.

Tight clothes, swaddles, and blankets can also cause heat rashes and because of that reason, rashes are not always limited to summer season and can occur in winters as well. In most cases, the rash will go away on its own without treatment.

Heat Rash Symptoms in Babies

Baby heat rash looks like clusters of tiny, often moist red bumps similar to pimples or blisters. It usually appears on the face and in the skin folds of the neck, arms, legs, upper chest and diaper area. Check out these sample images below for further help in identifying the condition.

Useful Home Treatments for Heat Rash

It is important to note that minor heat rashes usually go away on their own within a few days without treatment. However, parents can use the following treatments to speed up healing by adopting these approaches –

– Move the child to a cool area at the first sign of a heat rash & keep the skin cool and dry.

– Apply a cool compress to the affected area.

– Clean the skin by rinsing away oil and sweat with cool water and then gently pat the area dry.

– Use mild soap and slightly cool water during bath time to soothe the skin.

– Avoid using oils & lotions which can cause further blockage in pores.

– Babies tend to have more skin holds which trap sweat and are a prefect breeding ground for rash. Regularly clean skin folds to make sure trapped sweat and oil do not make the rash worse.

– Use air conditioning or fans to help keep the skin cool.

– Keep the baby well-hydrated.

– Let the Baby take off clothes for some time while keeping the temperature regulated and let them walk/crawl around in the room

How to Prevent Heat Rash in Babies

Prevention is always better than cure. These are some of the tips that mothers can adopt to keep the little one cool and calm –

– Try to keep the temperature regulated by either using AC or fans whenever possible

– While going out with the baby, try to stay in a shaded area and avoid areas with high humidity.

– Avoid spending time outside in hot weather

– Avoid heavy clothing and too much time in a carrier or sling where body heat can accumulate and cause heavy sweating.

– Avoid spending a lot of time outside in hot weather.

– Opt for loose-fitting & lightweight clothes, especially in warm weather.

– Take regular baths and keep the skin as clean as possible.

We hope that you will find these tips useful. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to let us know through the comments below