What should I do if a baby gets prickly heat?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on January 24, 2025
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If babies develop prickly heat, it should be considered that their sweat glands are underdeveloped, making them susceptible to changes in temperature which can lead to increased sweating. Their sweat can block the sweat glands and increase the occurrence of prickly heat. In terms of treatment, first of all, it's important to pay attention to the temperature of the baby's living environment, ensuring a certain level of humidity and temperature to reduce the stimulus of sweating. Additionally, care should be taken that the clothing is not too tightly wrapped; preferably choose cotton and loose clothing to keep the skin breathable. Furthermore, if prickly heat occurs, you can apply baby-specific prickly heat powder for topical application. Also, pay attention to any symptoms of skin infection, and if present, timely medication should be administered to avoid exacerbation of symptoms leading to infection.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a baby gets prickly heat?

If babies develop prickly heat, it should be considered that their sweat glands are underdeveloped, making them susceptible to changes in temperature which can lead to increased sweating. Their sweat can block the sweat glands and increase the occurrence of prickly heat. In terms of treatment, first of all, it's important to pay attention to the temperature of the baby's living environment, ensuring a certain level of humidity and temperature to reduce the stimulus of sweating. Additionally, care should be taken that the clothing is not too tightly wrapped; preferably choose cotton and loose clothing to keep the skin breathable. Furthermore, if prickly heat occurs, you can apply baby-specific prickly heat powder for topical application. Also, pay attention to any symptoms of skin infection, and if present, timely medication should be administered to avoid exacerbation of symptoms leading to infection.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Is prickly heat powder effective for children's prickly heat?

When children develop heat rash, using prickly heat powder is useful. Heat rash in children is caused by the blockage of sweat ducts in the skin, leading to a type of skin disease. Conditions such as poor development of sweat ducts in newborns, overly hot external environments, and prolonged bed rest can make children more prone to heat rash. Once a child develops heat rash, measures to cool and dry the skin are usually effective in improving the condition. Topical medications can also be applied locally, including ingredients like calamine, prickly heat powder, etc. The principles of using topical medications are cooling, itching relief, and astringency. The components of prickly heat powder include talcum, borneol, zinc oxide, and menthol, which can help remove dampness, disperse wind, cool the skin, and relieve itching. Therefore, using prickly heat powder is useful when children develop heat rash. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a physician)

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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 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.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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How to relieve itching from prickly heat in children

Heat rash in children is primarily caused by blockages in the sweat ducts, due to the poor development of neonatal sweat ducts, a humid and hot external environment, and prolonged bed rest. Based on the appearance of the heat rash, it can be categorized into white heat rash, red heat rash, pustular heat rash, and deep heat rash. Red heat rash can feel itchy and burning; pustular heat rash can cause burning, itching, and pain; white and deep heat rash do not typically present noticeable symptoms. When a child's heat rash feels itchy, topical medications can be applied for relief. Local cold compresses or ice packs can also be used to alleviate itchiness and pain. Naturally, providing a cooler environment for the child is beneficial, including frequent baths to help clear the sweat ducts.