Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is an itchy, red, pimply rash that may develop around your neck and
on your chest, back, armpits, and groin in hot or humid weather, particularly during exercise. Babies who
overheat because they are dressed too warmly, or because of a fever, are particularly susceptible to heat rash.
Sunburn is the result of overexposure to sunshine or to ultraviolet rays on a tanning bed. If you are mildly
burned you will have red, sore skin on areas such as your shoulders, arms, thighs, back, and nose, which may
begin to itch and peel a few days later. More severe sunburn can cause blistering and pain. Although you are
most likely to burn in hot summer sun, you can also burn on an overcast day, in water, or at high altitudes.
Babies, children, and fair-skinned people with red or blond hair and blue eyes are most at risk.
See also
Fever (children), p.135; Fever (babies), p.142.
See your doctor first
Arrange to see a doctor immediately if:
●You are not sure that a baby has heat rash, or a baby has a rash with fever
●You have severe sunburn with extensive blistering, and/or feel unwell, with vomiting, fever, confusion, or headaches
●A child or baby gets sunburned
What you can do yourself
You can treat an attack of heat rash or a case of mild sunburn with the following measures. They will make your skin feel more comfortable and help speed your recovery.
Heat rash
●Loosen or remove your clothing and find a cool place to sit, such as an air-conditioned room. If available, use a fan to help cool yourself down, and avoid any activity that might make you sweat.
●Have plenty of cool, nonalcoholic drinks.
●Apply a cold compress to affected areas. Soak a sponge or washcloth in cold water, wring it out, and apply to your skin. Use it as often as needed.
●If your baby develops heat rash, take immediate steps to cool him or her down (seePRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
●To soothe dry, itchy skin, try taking frequent, lukewarm baths with oatmeal bath oil (see p.187). Pat your skin dry afterward.
NATURAL REMEDIES
Aloe vera(see p.177) is found in many after- sun lotions and is also available as a gel. It has soothing properties that help cool sunburned skin and relieve dryness and irritation. However, don’t use gels or cream to treat heat rash.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Treating a baby with heat rash A baby with heat rash needs to be cooled down promptly. The rash should then disappear. ●Take off your baby’s clothes and diaper and lay him or her on a cotton sheet or towel to let the air circulate around the skin. Allow your baby to kick freely until he or she cools down.
●Don’t use ointments, lotions, or powders because they may block the pores and aggravate the rash. ●If your baby has a fever, give him or her plenty of fluids and take steps to reduce body temperature
(seeFEVER[BABIES], p.142).
Cooling down
Once your baby is undressed, the air will help cool his or her skin.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
●A heat rash does not fade within 2–3 days
●A baby is still feverish after you have used cooling methods
PREVENTION
Safety in the sunThe effects of the sun on your skin don’t always show straight away, so you may not realize you are burning. The following measures will help protect you from sunburn.
●Whenever your skin is exposed to the sun, use sunscreen or sunblock (seeDRUG REMEDIES, above). ●Don’t go out in summer sunshine when it is at its strongest, between 11am and 3pm.
●Don’t use tanning beds.
●Be especially careful when you are close to water or snow because the reflected sunlight increases the likelihood of getting sunburned.
●Keep babies out of the sun completely. Use a sunshade or sit them in the shade.
●Wear loose, lightweight pants and tops with sleeves, and also a hat, if you are out in the sun for long periods. Some clothes are now labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor
(UPF), indicating their effectiveness at blocking the sun’s rays.
DRUG REMEDIES
Calamine lotion(see p.179) has a cooling effect on sore, itchy sunburned skin. Dab it on with cotton balls as often as needed.
Sunscreens and sunblocks(see p.189) have different sun protection factors (SPFs) for different skin types – the fairer your skin, the higher the factor. Most people need an SPF of 15 or higher. (Much higher factors may be needed at high altitudes, when skiing, for example.) Use a sunscreen even in the shade and on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply frequently, especially after swimming. Use a total sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if you have very fair skin and for all children. Don’t use sunscreens or sunblocks on a baby under 6 months.
Sun protection
Choose a hat that shades your child’s face and neck and apply sunscreen to skin exposed to the sun.
What you can do yourself continued…
●While you have a heat rash, don’t use antiperspirants, perfumes, lotions, or creams, which may irritate your skin or block your pores.
●When the weather is warm, wear lightweight, loose clothes made of natural fibers such as cotton.
●If you are prone to heat rash, acclimatize yourself gradually whenever you move from a cool climate to a hot one. Increase the time you spend in the heat over several days.
●To prevent heat rash in a baby, avoid overdressing or using too many blankets. (Check by feeling the back of your baby’s neck – it should be warm but not sweaty.) On hot days, keep your baby in cool, shady areas and give him or her plenty to drink.
Sunburn
●Stay out of the sun while you have a sunburn. If you do go outdoors, wear cool, lightweight clothes that cover the burns completely.
●Don’t pick at peeling skin; let any blisters burst on their own.
●Have a cool bath and add about 4 tablespoons of baking soda (see p.179) to the bath water. Pat yourself dry with a soft towel.
●You may find a cold compress soothing. Soak a soft cloth in cold water, wring it out, and apply it gently to your sunburned skin. Repeat as often as necessary throughout the day.
●Calamine lotion may help to cool sunburned skin (seeDRUG REMEDIES, right).
●Try an aloe vera lotion or gel to soothe your skin (seeNATURAL REMEDIES, opposite page). Wait until the skin has been cooled down before applying moisturizers, which hold in the heat of the burn.
Ringworm
See your doctor first
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
●You have many patches of ringworm or you have ringworm of the scalp
What you can do yourself
You may be able to clear up ringworm yourself using the following measures. Otherwise, use them with treatment that your doctor prescribes.
●If you have only a small area of ringworm, try an antifungal cream (seeDRUG REMEDIES
,
right). Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the patches.●Keep your skin clean and dry and try not to scratch. An oatmeal bath oil may help soothe itching (seeNATURAL REMEDIES
,
right).●To prevent the infection from spreading to others or reinfecting yourself, wash clothes, bedding, and towels that you have worn or used recently. If you have scalp ringworm, also wash brushes, combs, and hats after each use.
●Don’t touch animals that show signs of infection, such as hair loss. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, make sure it has veterinary treatment.
●If you have scalp ringworm, use a mild shampoo such as baby shampoo, and wash and dry your hair gently without using a hair dryer. Don’t use gels, mousses, or other hair products on your hair.
●You don’t need to stay away from other people but avoid contact sports until you have had at least 4 days of antifungal treatment.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
●The patches have not started responding to treatment within a week
●Your skin is red and the patches are oozing and sore
●You have a large swelling on your scalp that is oozing pus and shedding hair
DRUG REMEDIES
Antifungal creams(seeANTIFUNGAL
DRUGS, p.178) can be used to treat small areas of
ringworm if you are not already using a drug or cream prescribed by your doctor. Apply the cream as directed on the package. The infection should begin to clear up within a week or two, although it may take several more weeks to completely disappear. Continue using the cream for several days after your skin has started to look healthy again.