Will children develop prickly heat on their limbs?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on May 13, 2025
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Children sometimes get heat rash, including on their limbs, but it's usually not severe. If the rash appears on the limbs, it's often because the skin on the limbs has been in contact with the skin on the trunk or from lying on that part of the body, such as the back. During the period when a child has heat rash, it's essential to ensure that sweaty clothes are changed promptly to keep the skin dry and clean. Regular bathing is necessary, and using prickly heat powder or, depending on the child's specific situation, treating with creams under a doctor's guidance, are all acceptable approaches. Additionally, parents should avoid giving their child food that could aggravate the condition.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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The difference between eczema and prickly heat

Eczema and heat rash have clear differences, distinguished by their causes, affected areas, and symptoms. The cause of heat rash is mainly due to blocked sweat pores, typically triggered by hot and humid environmental conditions; eczema, on the other hand, is usually caused by allergic factors such as food allergies, pollen, dust mites, animal fur, etc., and is also related to disorders of gastrointestinal function and indigestion. The seasonal occurrence of the two conditions also differs. Heat rash usually occurs in the summer, while eczema can occur in any season and at any age. The affected areas are also different. Heat rash typically appears on the chest, back, inside the elbows, neck, and forehead, whereas eczema can occur on any part of the body. The clinical manifestations of the two are also different; heat rash involves inflammation of the sweat glands, with the skin turning red and a dense distribution of papules. Eczema, on the other hand, primarily features symmetrically distributed erythema and papules, and may also include exudation.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Are heat rash and prickly heat the same?

Heat rash, also known as miliaria, is actually what is referred to in medicine as herpes simplex. It is different from prickly heat. Herpes simplex is caused by a viral infection, specifically the herpes simplex virus. It is characterized by clusters of small blisters and often occurs at the junctions of skin and mucous membranes. It is self-limiting but tends to recur, especially when the immune system is weakened. On the other hand, prickly heat occurs in the hot summer months when high temperatures and humidity make sweat evacuation difficult, leading to narrow and blocked sweat ducts, which results in prickly heat. It is usually intensely itchy. Thus, it is advisable to avoid rapid changes in skin temperature, such as moving from sweating heavily to suddenly entering an air-conditioned environment. This can cause sweat glands to close while sweat is still being produced heavily, leading to prickly heat. Treatment for herpes simplex involves antiviral therapy, whereas treatment for prickly heat primarily involves cooling, inducing sweat, and astringent measures.

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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 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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Do children get itchy from heat rash?

It itches. Miliaria, caused by blocked sweat ducts, commonly occurs in newborns due to their underdeveloped sweat ducts, as well as in hot environments and situations like prolonged bedrest, which can easily lead to the condition. Some skin infections that block sweat ducts can also cause miliaria. Miliaria is classified into types such as clear miliaria, red miliaria, pustular miliaria, and deep miliaria. Red miliaria is characterized by a burning and itching sensation. In areas with pustular miliaria lesions, there is also a burning, itching, and painful sensation, while the symptoms in areas affected by clear and deep miliaria are less noticeable.