The difference between prickly heat and rash

Written by Li Ying
Neonatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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The difference between prickly heat and allergies

Prickly heat and allergies are two different diseases, each with many significant distinctions. First, prickly heat tends to occur when the temperature is high, the weather is hot, and the body's resistance is low, while allergies are likely to occur when the skin reacts to certain foods, weather conditions, or allergens, causing corresponding skin symptoms. The treatment for prickly heat primarily involves the use of cooling powders applied externally, while maintaining a cool environment and bathing frequently. Allergies, on the other hand, are mainly treated with oral antihistamines.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Can children with prickly heat take baths?

Children can bathe when they have prickly heat, and it is even recommended to bathe frequently. Prickly heat is caused by the blockage of sweat ducts. Factors such as the underdevelopment of newborns' sweat ducts, humid and hot external environments, prolonged bed rest, and skin infections can all cause prickly heat. When children develop prickly heat, we can apply mild topical medications. In terms of diet, it is also important to avoid spicy, irritating, and allergenic foods, and to ensure frequent bathing and proper ventilation to improve the skin's external environment.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How to deal with heat rash that doesn't itch?

If prickle heat appears without itching, you can apply some Calamine Lotion locally. If the symptoms are not severe, you may not need any special treatment. Wear loose and breathable clothing, avoid excessive sweating, keep indoor air circulating, avoid direct sunlight, refrain from intense physical activities, drink plenty of water, and using foods that clear heat, cool the blood, and detoxify can also lead to significant improvement. Prickle heat usually occurs due to high temperatures, high humidity, and excessive sweating. Whether prickle heat causes itching varies from person to person; some people feel very itchy, whereas others do not show any symptoms, such as when white heat rash occurs, usually there are no noticeable symptoms. If prickle heat is accompanied by itching, treatment under the guidance of a doctor with antihistamine drugs may be necessary.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Can children eat eggs when they have prickly heat?

When children develop prickly heat, it is best not to feed them eggs. Prickly heat in children primarily occurs because the sweat glands in the skin become blocked, leading to a type of skin disease. When children develop prickly heat, we need to cool and dry their skin, which will improve and relieve the condition. In terms of diet, we should also avoid spicy and irritating foods, greasy foods, and foods that are likely to cause allergies. Eggs, being rich in proteins, can easily trigger allergies. Therefore, when a child has prickly heat, it is best to avoid giving them eggs. If the child's prickly heat is severe, we can also apply topical medications to the affected area. The principle for using medications should be based on cooling, astringent, and anti-itch properties.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What does prickly heat look like?

Prickly heat is one of the most common acute skin inflammations in summer, caused by blocked sweat pores. It often occurs on the scalp, forehead, neck, chest, armpits, and groin. The skin becomes red, followed by the appearance of small, red papules or vesicular rashes, densely clustered. Some of these papules can develop into pustules. After developing prickly heat, intense itching or pain can occur. Therefore, in summer, it is important to keep indoor ventilation and cooling, and children's clothing should be loose, soft, and highly absorbent.