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 Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can prickly heat heal by itself?

Prickly heat, the disease, can heal on its own since it primarily results from excessive heat or blocked sweat, leading to the condition. Therefore, prickly heat can gradually heal itself if the temperature decreases, cooler weather prevails, or if one sweats less commonly. However, it is crucial to prevent infection, as if infection occurs, it is necessary to use some topical anti-inflammatory medications. Thus, prickly heat can heal on its own, but it is essential to prevent infection during this time.

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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 Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What's causing the prickly heat pain?

Firstly, prickly heat is divided into several types, including white prickly heat, red prickly heat, and purulent prickly heat. The symptoms of pain often occur during red prickly heat, as it is a type of acute skin disease. Combined with hot weather, it easily leads to pain in red prickly heat on the body. Especially when an infection is triggered, the pain becomes even more pronounced. At this time, it is recommended to use some cooling powders externally to alleviate the pain caused by red prickly heat.

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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.