Heat rash in infants and children: why it appears and how to treat it

Do polka dots insist on appearing on your child’s skin? Understand the causes and know how to solve the problem

It is common to note prickly heat in children, especially in young children. Most cases tend to resolve at home. In rarer situations, the bumps on the skin can become a gateway for infections, which will require medical attention. To help you better understand the matter, we spoke to pediatrician Jandrei Markus, president of the Scientific Department of Dermatology of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), who explained all about it to us.

What is prickly heat?

“Also called miliariarashes are more common in children, although adults can get them,” says the doctor. They appear when there is an obstruction at the outlet of the glands that are used to excrete sweat.. Since they are very small in children, and especially in newborns, this is more likely to happen. Polka dots end up appearing in regions that usually have multiple glands, hence the prevalence on the face and neck.

heat rash

Since prickly heat is a consequence of sweat, which cannot escape due to blockages in the glands, it is in fact common when the child is subjected to hotter temperatures – which does not mean that it only occurs in hot places or only in the summer. ” It can happen in colder regions, when the family wraps up the baby too much.. This ends up causing increased sweating, which causes the characteristic heat rash lesions to appear,” explains Markus.

types of heat rash

According to the pediatrician and dermatologist, the most common type of prickly heat is called crystalline milia. “This is when the duct is blocked and sweat builds up. It ends up breaking through the epidermis and superficial dermis, which are the outermost layers of the skin. This forms the appearance of a very clear, small ball of water. goes unnoticed,” he describes.

If the obstruction is more permanent and the child continues to be subjected to high temperatures or excessive clothing, it may be getting worse. Sweat is still prevented from escaping and the surrounding skin becomes a little red. “It’s what people actually know as heat rash and what we identify as red heat rash“, says the doctor. “If the situation persists or if a secondary infection occurs [quando a pequena destruição da epiderme é suficiente para que uma bactéria entre e promova uma contaminação]is classified as pustular milia“, differs.

How to treat prickly heat in infants and children?

When initial measures are taken quickly, the lesion goes away on its own, soon after, says the specialist. Then, ideally, when you notice the prickly heat, it’s to take off a few blouses, give the baby a bath (which doesn’t have to be with soap) and freshen the baby. “With that alone, the prickly heat in the crystalline or red form can disappear within hours,” she says.

“However, in cases where there is a pustule, ie an infection, the ideal is to seek medical helpas sometimes it is even necessary to treat it with antibiotics to resolve the process caused by the intense obstruction of the glands and the secondary infection”, he reiterates.

Does homemade heat treatment work?

When the little one has the prickly heat, there is always someone who suggests baths with cornstarch, chamomile or oats in the water. Does this have any effect? Markus explains that the practice can bring some relief, yes. “Somehow, they are moisturizing and offer an improvement in skin perspiration. They help the child feel more comfortable,” she says. Another recommended product is liquid talc, which according to the doctor can also promote this refreshing action. “But the most important thing is to reduce the baby’s clothes“, he reiterates.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.