Is there a way to prevent heat rash?

Can you prevent heat rash?

• I get horrible heat rash every time I go on vacation some where hot and it ruins my vacation because I have to stay covered up and out of the sun. Is there anything I can take, a lotion I can put on or anything else I can do to prevent this??

• Answer:

  The first thing you must do if faced with the problem of heat rash and prickly heat is make it a point to bathe twice or thrice a day. This will not allow stale sweat to accumulate on your body, which is the basic cause for all these problems. You must also make it a habit to not go out of the house without applying a light and grease free sunscreen... This will help to keep your skin healthier overall as well. An excellent habit to develop when you are faced with being out in the sun all day is to start using powder. If you can, find the kind of powder that will prevent prickly heat. A few varieties may be available in the market in this category. Otherwise, just plain baby powder will work equally well. Basically, powder will not allow too much perspiration to stick around on your body, thus preventing rashes and prickly heat from taking root. Baby powder will work towards absorbing excess sweat and keep you dry. Once a week, try to follow a routine of applying chilled vinegar to your rashes. This will sanitize them and will also help to prevent them from spreading. If you can, soak in a tub to which you have added some brewed tea bags. Tea has an excellent anti-oxidant effect on the body. Also, about once or twice a week, try to soak in a tub of cool water to which you have added about a gallon of buttermilk. This is an excellent remedy for easing prickly heat. Alternately, you can also use milk for the same purpose. Make a paste of sandalwood powder and rose water and apply this to particularly angry rashes. This will heal and provide relief. Try to wear loose cottons which will not allow sweat to accumulate in uncomfortable bunches on your body