How to distinguish eczema from prickly heat

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on January 16, 2025
00:00
00:00

Eczema and heat rash have clear differences, including different causes. Eczema is primarily caused by allergens, as well as excessive mental stress, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances. Heat rash, on the other hand, usually arises from overly humid and hot environments that affect normal sweating function, leading to blocked sweat ducts. Their clinical manifestations also differ. Eczema typically presents as polymorphic and symmetrically distributed lesions, usually manifesting as papules and vesicular papules, and in severe cases, erosion, exudation, and significant itching are observed. Heat rash clinically appears as tiny, pin-sized blisters that emerge in clusters and merge into patches, typically found at skin folds without symmetry. White heat rash generally has less noticeable itching, whereas red heat rash is itchy and can also feel burning.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
2min 27sec home-news-image

How to treat baby eczema?

Infant eczema is a common type of skin allergic inflammation in children, with a higher incidence in infants and young children. General care for infant eczema primarily involves skin care, focusing on moisturizing the skin. Children who are allergic in nature are more susceptible to eczema triggered by allergens, hence it is crucial to avoid allergens. It is advisable to wear cotton clothing, preferably in light colors, which are soft and comfortable. It is best to avoid synthetic fibers or animal fur clothing, as these can easily cause allergies. Additionally, skin moisturizing is important; it is recommended to keep bath times under ten minutes and the water not too hot. Avoid using alkaline bath products, which can scrub the baby's skin and potentially damage the skin barrier, worsening the eczema. The recommended water temperature is around 38 degrees Celsius, and bathing time should not exceed ten minutes. Room temperature should not be too warm. The room's air humidity should be maintained between 50% to 70%. It is advisable for infants not to be overly full when feeding, as excessive food intake can burden their digestive system and potentially exacerbate eczema. Mothers should be cautious with their diet, avoiding spicy, stimulating foods or allergenic foods like seafood. For baby rashes, moisturizers, predominantly those with a simple composition like mineral oil and free of dyes and fragrances, are recommended. Avoid using diluted lotions with a high water content. Applying moisturizer within about 3 minutes after bathing can optimize moisture retention. If the eczema is extensive with noticeable exudation or redness, and the baby is noticeably distressed, further medical consultation should be sought at a hospital. Dermatologists can prescribe appropriate medication based on the baby’s condition. It is generally not recommended for parents to use corticosteroid ointments on their own due to potential side effects and risks of improper use.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
59sec home-news-image

How to distinguish eczema from prickly heat

Eczema and heat rash have clear differences, including different causes. Eczema is primarily caused by allergens, as well as excessive mental stress, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances. Heat rash, on the other hand, usually arises from overly humid and hot environments that affect normal sweating function, leading to blocked sweat ducts. Their clinical manifestations also differ. Eczema typically presents as polymorphic and symmetrically distributed lesions, usually manifesting as papules and vesicular papules, and in severe cases, erosion, exudation, and significant itching are observed. Heat rash clinically appears as tiny, pin-sized blisters that emerge in clusters and merge into patches, typically found at skin folds without symmetry. White heat rash generally has less noticeable itching, whereas red heat rash is itchy and can also feel burning.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 13sec home-news-image

How to treat infant eczema?

Infant eczema is a common skin problem in infants and toddlers, also known as atopic dermatitis. The first thing to pay attention to when a child has eczema is to moisturize the affected skin. Eczema is caused by dry skin, so moisturizing is particularly important. On top of moisturizing, under the guidance of a doctor at the hospital, we can use some mild corticosteroid creams. Through such measures, eczema can generally be well controlled. However, the biggest characteristic of eczema is that it is particularly prone to recurrence, so for children, we must treat it through diet and allergens. For children who drink formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, the child should be fed amino acid formula or hydrolyzed protein formula. For breastfed children, the diet of the nursing mother needs to be controlled – beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and foods containing distiller's grains should be avoided. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

The difference between tinea cruris and eczema

Tinea cruris is caused by a fungal infection and its occurrence is generally localized, usually appearing on the upper thigh or buttocks. Eczema, on the other hand, is mainly caused by allergies and can occur in varying locations, possibly on the upper thigh or external genitals, and can even spread across the entire body. The treatments for these two diseases differ; tinea cruris can generally be cured with antifungal creams, whereas the treatment for eczema involves a combination of medications including oral antiallergic drugs and the topical application of steroid creams. Both conditions are relatively treatable, but if they persist for a long time, continuous effort and the adoption of good dietary and lifestyle habits are necessary. Avoid public baths and swimming pools and try to abstain from spicy and irritating foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
46sec home-news-image

The difference between prickly heat and eczema

Prickly heat and eczema, although both are skin-related diseases, have significant differences. Firstly, looking at the causes, prickly heat mainly results from excessive sweat due to overheating and high temperatures which cannot escape. Eczema, on the other hand, is caused by a variety of internal and external factors such as allergies, seasons, and weather, leading to an allergic skin disease. Regarding treatment, prickly heat can be addressed with prickly heat powder or some cooling ointments, which often result in a cure. In contrast, eczema is typically treated with antihistamines or astringent medications. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)