The difference between prickly heat and rash

Written by Li Ying
Neonatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

It's often hard for parents to distinguish between intertrigo and prickly heat, but our approach to handling them is generally the same: keep the area dry and apply a small amount of talcum powder to the area affected by prickly heat. Diaper dermatitis and prickly heat may appear similar. Diaper dermatitis primarily occurs on the baby's genital area due to the parents' failure to change diapers or nappies in time, leading to contamination of the skin by the baby's excrement, which can cause the appearance of erythema. Typically, the skin's surface will exhibit red patches or rashes. At this point, we shouldn't use talcum powder; instead, we should visit a dermatologist who will prescribe antimicrobial topical treatments. Another condition is atopic dermatitis, which also manifests with the development of a rash but is characterized by genetic predisposition and being primarily an allergic reactive disease. It usually appears on the face and the flexural sides of the limbs. If you notice that your baby develops rashes not just during summer but also in winter, or if the rashes appear sporadically, you should take your child to a dermatologist for an examination to see if it is atopic dermatitis. For managing atopic dermatitis, the routine care typically involves the long-term use of moisturizers instead of talcum powder and avoiding allergens.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
45sec home-news-image

The fastest way to get rid of prickly heat

Prickly heat is a common dermatological condition caused mainly by excessively hot weather and high temperatures, which lead to excessive sweat production that cannot be properly released from the body. It often appears in individuals who are bedridden for long periods or in infants and young children. The quickest methods to eliminate prickly heat include: First, keep the skin dry and clean. It is best to ventilate the room well and avoid overheating the indoor environment. Second, wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing to reduce the occurrence of prickly heat. Third, use talcum powder or some astringent medications, applying them to the affected areas to treat the prickly heat.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
34sec home-news-image

Do prickly heat have blisters?

Prickly heat, this disease is divided into many types, including white prickly heat, red prickly heat, purulent prickly heat, etc. The type with blisters belongs to white prickly heat, while other types generally do not have blisters. White prickly heat tends to occur in people with low immunity or those who are bedridden for a long time, especially in areas prone to sweating, where blisters can easily develop. At this time, it is crucial to prevent infection, treat it promptly, and maintain a good prognosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
40sec home-news-image

How to eliminate prickly heat?

To eliminate prickly heat, it is necessary to pay attention to the following points: First, it is recommended to use air conditioning to cool down during summer, maintain indoor ventilation, and ensure smooth airflow. Second, it is advisable to add some medicinal ointments or solutions that help treat prickly heat to the bath water. Third, you can apply prickly heat powder or talcum powder on the affected areas to help keep the skin dry and clean. Of course, you can also apply a mild astringent ointment to the affected areas to achieve a therapeutic effect.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

How to remove baby's prickly heat

Baby prickly heat is mainly caused by the hot and humid living environment, which damages the skin. Therefore, it is important to enhance skin care, especially by improving the environmental temperature. Keeping the room ventilated by exchanging air is the best treatment method. If the skin symptoms are severe, Calamine lotion can be used, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of prickly heat. The main treatment for prickly heat is prevention. Therefore, especially in summer, the clothes worn by infants should be loose and made of pure cotton. Avoid tight clothes or synthetic fabrics, as these can aggravate the symptoms of prickly heat by causing friction between the skin and the clothing. Also, pay attention to the diet and try to eat less spicy and stimulating food, choosing instead light and liquid-based foods. (The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
33sec home-news-image

How to deal with heat rash in adults?

Adults may develop heat rash, usually due to excessively hot weather or high temperatures, which causes excessive sweating and the inability to expel this sweat effectively. Recommendations for this condition are: first, ensure good ventilation to cool down; second, bathe frequently to reduce skin temperature; third, use medications for treating heat rash or apply everyday items like honeysuckle water; fourth, maintain dryness and wear breathable, cool clothing.