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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Prickly Heat: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Prickly Heat: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

September 22, 2021
4 min read
By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi, MD, Clinical Dermatology

In this article:

  • Types of Prickly Heat
  • Causes of Prickly Heat
  • Symptoms of Prickly Heat
  • Treatment for Prickly Heat
  • Diagnosing Prickly Heat
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

Prickly heat, medically known as miliaria, refers to a skin condition characterized by the formation of a rash due to the entrapment of sweat under the skin. (1)

prickly heat treatment options

Commonly called heat rash, it occurs due to blockage of the sweat ducts, preventing the sweat from reaching the skin surface and evaporating. As a result, the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or prickly. Small red blisters may also develop on the affected area.

Prickly heat can affect people of any age and gender, but it is most commonly seen in infants. (2)

Types of Prickly Heat

Miliaria can be classified into different types, depending on the blockage of the sweat glands and the symptoms.

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The common forms of prickly heat include: (1)

  1. Clear (miliaria crystallina)
  2. Red (miliaria rubra)
  3. White/yellow (miliaria pustulosa)
  4. Deep (miliaria profunda)

Causes of Prickly Heat

prickly heat causes

Prickly heat indirectly occurs as a result of excessive sweating. The more you sweat, the higher are the chances of dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulating in the skin pores, clogging the sweat glands.

The blockage prevents the sweat from reaching the skin surface and evaporating. The sweat is trapped under the skin, ultimately causing inflammation and irritation.

The most common factors that cause excessive sweating include:

  • Increased physical activity (1)
  • Health conditions such as hyperhidrosis
  • Use of heavy creams, lotions, or adhesive bandages and patches (3)
  • Prolonged heat exposure. (4) However, people used to living in cold climates may also experience prickly heat on moving to warmer climates.
  • High-humidity weather that delays sweat evaporation

Symptoms of Prickly Heat

Prickly heat commonly affects areas with a higher concentration of sweat glands, such as the neck, face, groin area, and under the breasts. It can also develop in skin folds and body parts that are constantly under friction with clothing, such as the stomach, chest, and back.

Prickly heat can manifest various symptoms. The most common ones include:

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  • Itching
  • Irritation
  • Red rash on the skin
  • Mild inflammation
  • Small blisters

Treatment for Prickly Heat

treatment modalities for prickly heat

Most heat rashes can be improved with over-the-counter medications and self-care. However, if the symptoms are severe or you have an underlying infection, medical treatment is warranted.

Your doctor may suggest the following topical or oral treatments:

  • Corticosteroid lotions: These can help treat the skin rashes when applied 1–2 times a day. Avoid applying hydrocortisone creams under the diapers for babies. (5)(6)
  • Calamine lotion: Calamine lotions can be highly efficient in treating heat rashes. (7)
  • Antihistamines: Oral antihistamine tablets address symptoms associated with a heat rash, such as inflammation and itching. Commonly suggested antihistamine tablets include hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine. (8)(9)

Diagnosing Prickly Heat

Prickly heat can be diagnosed with a physical exam of skin areas that are prone to sweating, especially after heat exposure. In severe or complicated cases, however, the doctor may order a skin culture or biopsy. (10)

Since prickly heat may be symptomatic of an allergic reaction or infections, the doctor may order tests to rule them out.

When to See a Doctor

consult your doctor if prickly heat does not resolve

Prickly heat is a mild problem, but it is vital to consult your doctor in the following cases:

  • Heat rash that doesn’t improve on its own in a few days
  • Heat rash that worsens despite proper treatment and care.
  • Pain or warmth in the affected area
  • Pus oozing from the lesions
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever or chills
What you may ask your doctor
  • What treatment do you suggest?
  • What can I do to prevent prickly heat?
  • What lifestyle changes do I need to make to improve the rash?
  • Should I avoid the use of diapers until my baby’s rash clears up?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Does your rash cause itching or a burning sensation?
  • Do you have any other symptoms such as fever?
  • When did you first notice the rash?

Final Word

Prickly heat is commonly due to excessive heat exposure. It may cause skin inflammation, itching, and redness. The rash generally improves on its own or with self-care and over-the-counter treatments.

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If the rash becomes highly discomforting, you may consult your doctor for treatment. Medical attention is imperative when the symptoms worsen and cause problems such as faintness and confusion.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingGet Rid of Prickly Heat: 6 Home Remedies and 8 Preventive Tips
References
  1. Guerra KC. Miliaria. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537176/. Published August 13, 2021.
  2. T; ZRN. Skin conditions: Common skin rashes in infants. FP essentials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23600337/.
  3. Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T. The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review. Clinical medicine & research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/. Published December 2017.
  4. Leiva DF. Heat illness. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553117/. Published July 19, 2021.
  5. Gabros S. Topical corticosteroids. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532940/. Published July 13, 2021.
  6. Skin care for your baby. Paediatrics & child health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528704/. Published March 2007.
  7. A; MMFLWM. Calamine lotion to reduce skin irritation in children with cast immobilisation. Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24014789/.
  8. Farzam K. Antihistamines. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538188/. Published July 18, 2021.
  9. Church MK, Church DS. Pharmacology of antihistamines. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667286/. Published May 2013.
  10. Alguire PC, Mathes BM. Skin biopsy techniques for the internist. Journal of general internal medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1496896/. Published January 1998.

 

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