Heat Rash: Causes, symptoms and effective treatments
Expert advice from a GP on spotting heat rash in your baby or child, how to treat it, how to prevent it in the first place and when to seek medical help
Whether you're holidaying abroad or just trying to survive a UK heatwave, hot, sticky weather can bring more than just sleepless nights and extra meltdowns. For some babies and children, it can also mean the arrival of prickly heat rash. If you suddenly spot a patch of tiny red bumps on your child though it can be worrying, as rashes can be indications of both very common illnesses or mild allergic reactions to much more severe issues.
To help you work out if your child has heat rash MadeForMums' resident GP Dr Philippa Kaye shares everything parents need to know about this seasonal complaint – from what causes it and the tell-tale symptoms to how to treat it at home and the simple ways to help prevent it altogether. Whether you’ve got a wriggly newborn or an on-the-go toddler, here’s what you need to know to keep your little one cool, comfortable and rash-free this summer.
Please note that this article is for guidance only. If you have any concerns about your child's health, it is always best to consult your doctor or health professional.
What causes heat rash?
Heat rash isn’t actually due to heat or the sun but the effects of the heat, in that it makes you sweat! Sweating a lot that can lead to heat rash as the tiny sweat glands become blocked. The build up of sweat in the skin then leads to the development of the rash. It can be irritating, itchy and uncomfortable but generally not harmful.
Symptoms of heat rash
Heat rash can lead to a prickly, or itchy sensation and then small red raised spots on white skin, the spots may look darker, grey/white, or the same as the skin colour on black or brown skin. The area may look slightly swollen and the spots may even look like very small blisters. The spots blanche, meaning that they fade when a pressed or a glass is rolled over them, any non blanching spots must be assessed by a doctor as an emergency.
How to treat heat rash
If your child has heat rash then try to stop them scratching and further irritating it, for example by cutting nails short. Try and cool them down, perhaps taking clothes off and you can apply a cool damp cloth to ease the itching sensation. Simple soothing creams like calamine lotion can be helpful, or oat baths. Depending on the age of the child antihistamines may be recommended by your pharmacist.
How to prevent heat rash
Babies and young children are more likely to get heat rash than adults as they are less good at controlling their body temperature. However heat rash can occur at any age, and looks the same in adults and children. In babies and young children it often occurs in the nappy area or in folds because it is harder for the air to circulate there – if you can keep the nappy off for a bit and ensure that they are wearing loose fitting clothes so that air can circulate.
In order to prevent heat rash you need to try and keep cool so that you don’t sweat so much. Depending on the external temperature this means wearing loose cotton clothing, staying out of the sun, keeping curtains closed inside, opening windows to the house at night when it is cooler outside than in, but leaving them shut in the day if it is hotter outside than in. Don’t forget to encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, remember frozen ice lollies count!
When to seek medical advice for heat rash
If you are unsure of the diagnosis or if the heat rash doesn’t improve after a few days then please seek medical advice. If your child is unwell with the rash and you are concerned about heat stroke please seek emergency help.
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Authors
Dr Philippa Kaye is a GP, media doctor and author with a particular interest in women's, children's and sexual health. She has written multiple books including The Science of Menopause, Breasts: An Owner's Guide and Doctors Get Cancer Too, her memoir of being 39 years old, a busy doctor and mother when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.