HEAT RASH ( MILIARIA)

Heat rash  also known as prickly heat and miliaria isn’t just for babies. It affects adults, too, especially in hot, humid conditions.

Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped in the pores and pathways (ducts) underneath your skin. Since sweat can’t leave your body, a rash form with tiny pimples or blisters. Heat rashes are common in hot and humid climates. The rash most often develops areas of your body that don’t get enough airflow or areas where there’s skin-to-skin contact.

SYMPTOMS

Heat rashes form minutes to hours after you start sweating. The heat rash is an area of your skin with clusters of small, pimple-like bumps. Symptoms of a heat rash include:

• Prickly feeling.
• Mild itch (may be worse with sweating).
• Swelling or skin puffs up around rash.
• Mild pain or a light burning sensation.
• Small blisters to deep, inflamed lumps

Severe symptoms could occur from a heat rash, especially if you itch it and the bumps break open. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience the following severe symptoms:

• Rash is warm to the touch.
• Pus or clear fluid leaks from bumps.
• Severe and persistent itch.
• Severe pain.
• Fever or nausea.

Risk factors

Having certain health problems or engaging in certain lifestyle choices can increase your risk for heat rash,including:

• Being prone to intense sweating
• Regularly engaging in high intensityphysical activity
• Taking drugs that trigger sweating like bethanechol, clonidine, and neostigmine.
• Type 1 Pseudo hypoaldosteronism, a condition that causes a loss of sodium through the sweat glands that has some links to heat rash.

COMPLICATIONS

• Secondary bacterial infection, commonly caused by staphylococci
• Impaired thermoregulation
• Hyperhidrosisin non-affected areas.

PREVENTION

Follow these tips to prevent heat rash:

• Avoid wearing tight clothing that doesn’t allow your skin to breathe. Moisture-wicking fabrics may help prevent sweat build-up on the skin.
• Don’t use thick lotions or creams that can clog your pores.
• Try not to become overheated, especially in warmer months. Seek out air-conditioning or carry a handheld fan.
• Use a soap that won’t dry your skin and doesn’t have fragrances or dyes.

DIAGNOSIS

Heat rash is diagnosed on its typical clinical presentation.

In severe cases or repeated episodes, punch biopsy can be useful.

Tzanck smear taken from vesicles will distinguish miliaria from herpes simplex or toxic erythema of the newborn.

TREATMENT

Heat rash usually resolves without treatment in a few days.

Heat rash usually goes away once the skin cools down.

Severe forms of the condition might need treatment from a health care provider.

If the discomfort becomes too severe, you can try methods at home that help soothe itching and reduce skin temperature.

Some medicines/creams that used to  manage heat rash include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream applied 1-2 times a day can help soothe itching.
• OTC antihistamines can also take an effect against itching.

OUT LOOK

• A heat rash can affect anyone at any age.
• A heat rash might cause mild discomfort and irritation.
• Contact your healthcare provider if your rash lasts longer than a week or causes severe symptoms.