Prickly heat (also known by its scientific name, miliaria) is a condition that occurs when the ducts of the sweat glands become blocked and sweat gets trapped under the skin's surface. The irritation and rash that appears as tiny red nodules can be anything from a minor annoyance to a serious problem, depending on how far the condition is allowed to progress. Fortunately, prickly heat is easy to cure if treated early on. Do some of these easy tricks to cure a mild case of prickly heat!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Easy Home Remedies
Step 1. Stay away from heat
As the name implies, one of the main causes of prickly heat is exposure to heat, which results in increased sweat production. The less sweat is produced, the less will be buried behind clogged pores; thus, the irritation of the rash is also reduced. Therefore, the less the body is exposed to heat, the better.
If you can, spend time in an air-conditioned room is a very good idea. Air conditioning is not only cool, but also reduces the humidity of the air. Air conditioning is very helpful against prickly heat, because air that is too humid prevents sweat from evaporating, thereby making prickly heat worse
Step 2. Wear loose clothing that allows airflow
If you have prickly heat, wear clothes that allow your skin to be exposed to air, so that sweat and moisture on the skin can evaporate. This way, moisture doesn't build up around the rash, which can happen if you wear tight clothing.
- Not only the model of clothing, the type of fabric also has an effect. Fabrics like cotton and weaves like jersey are the best choices. In contrast, thin synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, are the least air-breathable fabrics.
- If the weather is hot, don't wear clothing that clearly exposes the skin (such as shorts, tank tops, etc.). These clothes put the skin at risk of sunburn, making it more irritated and prone to damage. Apply a lot of sunscreen, or wear loose clothing that covers the skin.
Step 3. Avoid strenuous physical activity
Exercise raises body temperature and causes sweating-which is exactly what you don't want when you have prickly heat. Physical activity is great for maintaining long-term health, but in the short term, it can hinder the healing process, and even make prickly heat worse. Take this opportunity to stay away from strenuous physical activity while waiting for the prickly heat to improve, especially if the activity was carried out in a hot and humid environment. Strenuous physical activities that should be avoided include:
- Sports games
- Climb
- Run
- Lifting weights or calisthenics
- …and others.
Step 4. Use powder to dry the skin
Especially in hot and humid climates, areas of skin with prickly heat can sometimes be difficult to keep dry, even after strenuous exercise habits have been discontinued. In that case, try applying a small amount of talcum powder, baby powder, or cornstarch (if you have no other choice) to the prickly area. Powder absorbs moisture, so skin stays dry. This method can be very helpful, just in case, for some reason, all of the above methods don't work.
Don't use scented or perfumed powders, which can further irritate the area of skin with prickly heat. In addition, any type of powder should not be used on open wounds, because it can cause infection
Step 5. Bathe regularly, and let the skin dry on its own
Keeping your skin clean is important when you have any kind of rash. Dust, dirt, and bacteria can make prickly heat worse by causing an infection. However, bathing regularly (at least once a day when you have a rash) can help rid your skin of all these contaminants. while bathing, don't use towels on the affected area of the skin. Instead, let the skin dry on its own. Towels can exacerbate skin irritations and transmit infection-causing bacteria to the rash.
Step 6. Leave the skin exposed to the air every day
When you have prickly heat, remember that you don't have to wear the same clothes all day. If work clothes, or other responsibilities, are not clothes that allow airflow, which are not good for prickly heat treatment, take them off at rest. It's not ideal, but occasionally exposing your skin to air is better than nothing.
For example, say you work in a dense forest that is hot and humid, and you have prickly heat on your feet. However, the job requires you to wear thick rubber boots. If so, try wearing loose-fitting sandals every day after work and taking a cold shower. Exposing the prickly heat to the air as often as possible can help the healing process
Method 2 of 2: Topical Treatment for More Serious Cases
Step 1. Don't use regular creams and lotions
Prickly heat sometimes doesn't go away on its own. If so, there are several creams and lotions that can help speed up the healing process. However, this is only the exception, not the rule. Most of the Creams and lotions can't help treat prickly heat, even though they're advertised as soothing or moisturizing. In fact, many creams and lotions can actually make prickly heat worse, especially if they contain one of the following ingredients:
- Mineral oil or petroleum. The oily material clogs the skin pores, which is actually the main cause of prickly heat.
- Perfume or fragrance. These ingredients often irritate damaged skin, which can make prickly heat worse.
Step 2. Apply a light calamine lotion
Calamine is an ingredient that can soothe and protect the skin, thereby reducing irritation. In addition, calamine is also known to relieve itching that sometimes accompanies prickly heat. Calamine lotion and other similar products are sometimes marketed as prickly heat lotion.
- Calamine is generally safe, but can interact negatively with some medications and common medical conditions. Talk to your doctor before using calamine if you are pregnant, have any medical allergies, or are taking certain medications.
- Calamine lotion can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor.
Step 3. Apply anhydrous lanolin
Anhydrous lanolin is also a skin conditioning agent that is sometimes prescribed to treat prickly heat. This ingredient can relieve irritation and help reduce blockages in the sweat gland ducts; in other words, against the main cause of prickly heat.
- Some people who have skin that is sensitive to wool may experience irritation after using products made from anhydrous lanolin. If you are one of these people, avoid using products made from anhydrous lanolin.
- Anhydrous lanolin can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor.
Step 4. Use topical steroid medication
Steroids are a group of drugs that work to relieve inflammation, irritation, and swelling in any area of the body that is treated with this drug. A thin layer of steroid ointment applied to prickly heat can greatly reduce the redness and roughness of the rash, thereby speeding up the healing process. Do not apply too often or too much steroid cream.
Mild steroid creams can usually be purchased without a prescription from a doctor. These drugs are different from the dangerous anabolic steroids used to promote muscle growth
Step 5. Know when a case of prickly heat should be checked by a doctor
If left untreated, a mild case of prickly heat can gradually get worse until it becomes more than just a minor problem. Watch for signs of danger and infection. If any of the following symptoms occur, contact your doctor as soon as possible, so that a more aggressive treatment plan can be implemented immediately. This matter very This is important, especially if the prickly heat patient is an infant, elderly, or has a compromised immune system.
- Increased pain
- Increased irritation and swelling that doesn't improve
- Fever
- Pus or exudate oozing out of the rash
- Lymph nodes, in the throat, genital area, or armpits, swell.
Tips
- Baby skin tends to be sensitive and very susceptible to prickly heat. Be careful not to wrap the baby in the blanket too tightly (which can block the flow of fresh air). Also, replace soiled diapers with new ones as soon as possible, to prevent skin irritation.
- If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce your susceptibility to prickly heat in the long term. Prickly heat is very likely to occur in the folds of the skin, which may be abundant if the body has large fat stores.
- Some sources recommend using a lotion containing colloidal oatmeal to treat prickly heat.
