Heat rashes are caused by a minor inflammation of blocked sweat ducts, which stop the sweat from coming to the skin surface to evaporate and trapping it inside the skin. Babies typically have smaller sweat glands. They, therefore, cannot regulate their body temperature and are more vulnerable to heat rash than adults.
Causes of Heat Rashes
The key causes of heat rashes include the following:
- The skin around the child’s armpit, neck, and groin that touches or rubs against the nearby skin stops sweat from evaporating.
- Tight clothing around the waist, abdomen, chest, and groin prevents sweat evaporation
- Heavy clothing in body parts where sweat can gather on the skin.
- Oily lotions, adhesive bandages, and heavy body creams can block sweat ducts.
- Inability to regulate body temperature.
- Babies often have more skin folds compared to adults, which can often trap heat and sweat.
Types of Heat Rashes
Four types of heat rashes occur in babies. They are:
- Miliaria Rubra – It occurs when there is a blockage in the sweat glands near the epidermis or the dermis and can cause bumps, discoloration such as redness and itching. It is the most common type of heat rash.
- Miliaria Crystallina – This occurs when there is a blockage in the sweat glands in the epidermis. This can cause tiny clear or white blisters. It’s the least severe type of heat rash.
- Miliaria Profunda – The sweat in the dermis leaks into the dermis, which causes flushing and burning. It is the most severe type of heat rash.
- Miliaria Pustulosa – The tiny blisters of a heat rash are called vesicles. These can sometimes become inflamed and swollen. Babies may be able to sweat less, which increases the risk of heat-related illness.
Symptoms
Primary symptoms of all types of heat rashes include the following:
- Tiny pin-sized blisters on a large area of skin
- Hot and flushed skin
- A rash that may appear red
However, different types of heat rash in babies can have slightly different symptoms. Some of these symptoms of each kind of rash are listed below:
- Miliaria Profunda usually causes deep blisters that may resemble pimples. They are generally skin-colored.
- Miliaria Rubra causes itching. There may be tiny red bumps or blisters on red and irritated-looking patches of skin.
- Miliaria Pustulosa can cause pustules that resemble painful blisters. They may break open and bleed.
- Miliaria Crystallina can appear like tiny sweat beads which are trapped under the skin and do not appear red or inflamed.
Diagnosis
Often, heat rash in babies can be diagnosed by its appearance. To diagnose the rash, your doctor will usually conduct a physical examination.
Home Remedies and Treatment Options
- Try applying a cool compress on the affected area to relieve the symptoms.
- Rinse away oil and sweat with cool water and then pat the area dry gently.
- Clean the skin folds regularly to ensure that the trapped sweat and oil do not worsen the rash.
- Check with the doctor before applying any creams and lotions to the affected area.
- Use air conditioning or fans to keep the skin cool and keep the baby in a cool space.
- Ensure that the kid is well hydrated
Risk Factors
The main risk factors that make babies susceptible to heat rashes include the following:
- Living in a very warm climate
- Swaddling, especially if the baby is sweating
- Sitting too close to heat sources like space heaters
- Wearing clothes that are too warm or unsuitable for the warmer climates
Prevention
- Avoid exposing your baby to the sun for prolonged hours
- Dress the baby in appropriate seasonal clothes
- Dress the child in loose-fitting, breathable clothing, e.g., cotton pants or cotton dresses.
- Use air conditioning and fans to keep babies cool in hot weather
- Monitor your kids for any signs of excessive sweating
- Do not place your kid in front of space heaters or other heat sources directly
Heat rashes do not usually require medical attention. However, if the symptoms persist or there are signs of an infection, it is best to seek urgent medical care.
If you’re looking for “pediatric urgent care services” in Oceanside, CA, visit the 8-2-8 Urgent Care, a renowned walk-in clinic in Oceanside, CA. We provide a calm, relaxed, and comfortable treatment environment for kids with minimal wait times to ensure faster treatment processes for the kids. We can successfully treat all kinds of heat rashes in babies and help to alleviate their symptoms quickly and successfully.
