Is there a way to prevent heat rash?

How do I prevent my heat rash?

• Now the sunny weather is back, I've been outside and within 15 minutes I've got a painful itchy heat rash. I try to wear as many clothes as possible, but I neck, face and hands still tend to be exposed. The rash is making my life a misery. I didn't always use to get the rash, in fact, I'd quite happily sunbathe on holiday 5 years ago, but now, even the English sun peeking through the clouds can hurt me. I take an anti histamine but but doesn't work for long.

• Answer:

  The sore ducts resemble small reddish bumps and can typically be found in clusters generally occurring in areas where there are folds of skin as on the neck, in the armpits, and the groin. As with prickly heat, there is a blockage of sweat ducts and rupturing in miliaria crystallina as well. In this condition the affected ducts are much nearer to the surface and there is no inflammation, instead tiny clear vesicles appear on the skin. This generally is not accompanied with any other symptoms like redness and it usually occurs on the upper chest, neck or head. The most important thing to do when you suffer from a heat rash is to cool your body. Try to remain in air conditioned environment to get relief and allowing your body to cool down. You can also have a cold shower to soothe and relieve your skin. Swimming or soaking in a tub can also help cool down and relax. Cooling down your skin being the most important measure to combating the condition, ice packs are the most effective remedy. Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and wrap it in a cloth. Apply the pack to the affected areas leaving it for around five or ten minutes each time. Do this every couple of hours. Baking soda and fine-ground oatmeal powder are both extremely effective and help provide relief from a heat rash. You could add a small amount of either to your bath water before soaking in it. Dusting some baking soda or an absorbent powder onto your skin can also help a lot As they say “prevention is better than cure”. Here are a few tips to help you avoid heat rash. • Do not overdress. You should not wear synthetic clothes in the muggy weather. Wear cotton clothes that aren’t tight when you exercise. Natural fibers are known to soak the sweat from the skin. • As you get dressed sprinkle talcum powder or medicated cooling powder on your skin, especially in the folds of the skin. This will keep the skin dry, and prevent sweat from accumulating in the folds of the skin. • Try to remain indoors with the air conditioner or the fan turned on. • Take cooling baths frequently to wash off the sweat and cool your body.