What Causes Heat Rash?

Heat rash is a condition that happens when sweat gets trapped underneath the skin. The rash usually manifests as many small blisters on the surface of the skin. Some other names for heat rash are miliaria and prickly heat rash. The latter name comes from the fact the rash often feels prickly. While heat rash tends to be associated with young babies, individuals of any age can get heat rash. A variety of things can cause heat rash in adults. Often, heat rash happens when someone sweats a lot and does not get a chance to wash the sweat off soon enough.

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Prolonged Bed Rest

Prolonged bed rest can lead to heat rash in some cases. One of the reasons for this is individuals who are on bed rest often have fevers. The heat of the fever causes the patient to sweat excessively. Sweating a lot can cause heat rash because the sweat gets stuck in the pores. Furthermore, an individual who is on bed rest may not be able to shower or bathe very frequently, which allows sweat to build up on the skin, where it can get stuck in the pores. To try to prevent heat rash, it is a good idea to help the patient stay clean. Sponge baths are one option. It also helps to keep the patient's fever down whenever possible. Finally, ensuring the room is cool and comfortable is crucial.

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Immature Sweat Ducts

Babies are prone to heat rash because they have immature sweat ducts. Heat rash is most common in babies who are less than a week old, are sick, or are too hot. Dressing the baby in clothes that are not too warm can help prevent heat rash. It is also a good idea to make sure the baby's clothes are not too tight. However, not all cases of heat rash in infants are avoidable. There is no need to panic if babies get heat rash; it is very common, and the rash usually goes away on its own with time. If it gets worse, it is important to bring it up to a doctor. This is because heat rash that does not heal on its own can become infected. Caregivers can make a baby with heat rash more comfortable by giving them a bath with lukewarm water. They should, however, be careful not to scrub the baby dry with a towel, as this can irritate the skin. They should also make sure the baby is in a cool room, and consider using a fan to help the baby cool off.

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