You are getting your little one ready for a bath
when you notice angry-looking rashes staring right back at you. Before you fear
the worst, let us tell you that those rashes, called heat rashes, might be due
to the onset of summer in your area.
Heat rashes are usually mild in infants and often
disappear in a few days. However, given that it may cause discomfort to the
baby, you can use a few home remedies to help soothe the symptoms of a heat
rash and speed up its healing. Keep reading to know more about heat rash and
its natural treatment options.
What Is A Heat Rash?
Heat rash is one of the most common types of
rashes. This skin condition is also referred to as miliaria, and it is often
found to affect both children and adults alike when the climate turns hot and
humid.
The clogging of pores is one of the main causes of
heat rash. Friction on the skin’s surface can also trigger heat rashes. Babies
often develop such rashes on their neck. However, heat rash can also develop in
other skin folds, such as the thighs, armpits, and elbows.
There are different types of heat rash that not
only look different but also range in their severity and symptoms.
Types And Symptoms Of Heat Rash In Babies
There are three types of heat rash. They include:
Miliaria Crystallina:
This is the most common and mildest kind of heat
rash. This type is characterized by clear or white bumps on the skin that are
filled with fluid. Such bumps often burst but do not pain or itch. This type of
heat rash is much more common in babies than in adults.
Miliaria Rubra:
This type of heat rash is also often referred to as
prickly heat. It is more common in adults although children may also develop
it.
Miliaria rubra causes more discomfort as compared to miliaria crystallina
as it often occurs deeper in the outer layer of the skin. The symptoms
exhibited by this type of heat rash include:
- An itchy or prickly sensation in the affected area
- Red bumps on the skin
- Lack of sweating in the areas of the rash
- Inflamed and sore skin
In some instances, these bumps may also progress
and become filled with pus. The doctors then refer to this rash as miliaria
pustulosa.
Miliaria Profunda:
This is the least common type of heat rash. It has
high chances of recurrence and may take several weeks to heal. Miliaria
profunda usually occurs in the dermis, which lies deeper in the skin. It
typically occurs in adults and surfaces after a period of physical activity.
This type of heat rash is characterized by large and tough, skin-colored boils.
Since it prevents sweat from leaving the skin, it can also trigger symptoms of
nausea and dizziness in the affected individuals.
Are you wondered what contributes to the
development of such rashes in babies? Let’s find out.
What Causes Heat Rash In Babies?
As already mentioned, heat rash is a result of
clogged skin pores that cannot expel sweat. Many factors can contribute to
this. They include:
- A hot and humid climate
- Wearing clothing that traps heat
- Use of thick lotions and creams
- Overheating of the body due to multiple layers of
clothing
Since babies have underdeveloped skin pores, they
are more likely to develop a heat rash.
While heat rash usually eases away on its own, a
few natural remedies can help speed up its healing without any side effects.
How To Treat Heat Rash In Babies Naturally
1. Cold Compress
Ingredients:
- A cold compress or ice pack
Method:
- Apply a cold compress or clean cloth dipped in cold
water to the affected area.
- Leave it on for a minute and remove.
- Repeat a few times.
How Often You Should Do This
- You can do this 2-3 times a day.
How This Works:
A cold compress can help in cooling and soothing
the affected area. It relieves the symptoms of inflammation while also healing
the rash faster.
2. Essential Oils
a. Tea Tree Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 drop of tea tree oil
- 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil
Method:
- Add a drop of tea tree oil to two to three
teaspoons of coconut oil.
- Mix well and apply the blend to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily until you notice an
improvement in the symptoms.
How This Works:
Tea tree oil exhibits antiseptic and
anti-inflammatory activities. It can help in soothing the redness and
discomfort associated with heat rash.
Caution
Do not use tea tree oil on babies younger than 6
months. Also, never use this oil undiluted.
b. Chamomile Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 drop of chamomile oil
- 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil
Method:
- Add a drop of chamomile oil to two to three
teaspoons of coconut oil.
- Mix well and apply it topically to the affected
area.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it
off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily for best results.
How This Works:
Like tea tree oil, chamomile oil also possesses
anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help to provide relief by
soothing the symptoms associated with heat rash.
Caution
Do not use this oil undiluted and on children below
6 months of age.
3. Cucumber
Ingredients:
Method:
- Take a cucumber and slice it.
- Grind the slices to form a thick paste.
- Apply the cucumber paste to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
- You can do this 2-3 times daily.
How This Works:
Cucumber contains flavonoids and tannins that
exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help
in calming heat rash in babies.
4. Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of powdered oatmeal
- Water
Method:
- Fill a basin or your baby’s bathtub with water.
- Add a cup of powdered oatmeal to it and mix well.
- Soak your baby in the oatmeal bath for 10-15
minutes.
- Pat dry their skin.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily.
How This Works:
The anti-inflammatory nature of oatmeal plays a
significant role in treating many skin disorders. It can also help soothe the
heat rash and speed up its healing.
5. Fuller’s Earth
Ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon of Fuller’s earth
- Water (as required)
Method:
- Mix half a tablespoon of Fuller’s earth with water
to form a paste.
- Apply it all over the affected area.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once every 2 or 3 days.
How This Works:
While there are no studies to back this claim,
anecdotal evidence suggests that Fuller’s earth can help soothe heat rash in
babies as well as adults.
6. Aloe Vera
Ingredients:
- Freshly extracted aloe vera gel
Method:
- Take some freshly extracted aloe gel and apply it
to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily for best results.
How This Works:
Aloe vera gel extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory
activities that can help soothe the heat rash and improve its symptoms.
In addition to these remedies, here are some useful
tips that can help prevent the recurrence of heat rashes in your baby.
How To Prevent Heat Rash In Babies
- Protect your baby and keep them away from the
scorching sun.
- Keep your baby indoors and in air-conditioned
rooms, especially during summers.
- Dress your little one in breathable and loose
clothing, especially in summers.
- Wash areas like your baby’s neck, armpits, and
groin with cool water. Pat these areas dry after washing.
- Check the temperature of your child’s skin every
now and then. Apply a cold compress or give them a quick bath if you notice an
increase in the temperature.
- Avoid using thick lotions and creams on your little
one.
- Use a mild soap that doesn’t leave your child’s
skin too dry.
Those were some of the best remedies and tips to
alleviate heat rash in babies. Go ahead and try them out on your child and help
soothe those stubborn rashes. Do you know of any other remedies or tips to deal
with heat rash in babies? Share them with us in the comments section below.
FAQs About Baby Heat Rash
Is heat rash painful for babies?
The type of heat rash that occurs commonly in
babies is miliaria crystallina. It is very mild and rarely painful. However,
severe types of heat rash can also trigger pain.
How to diagnose heat rash in a child?
Doctors can usually diagnose a heat rash by taking
a look at the child. Most often than not, a heat rash doesn’t need medical
intervention unless it doesn’t go away on its own in 4-5 days.
How long does it take for a heat rash to disappear?
A heat rash should typically disappear in 4-5 days
without treatment. If it doesn’t, it is better to seek medical attention to be
on the safe side.
What does a heat rash look like on a baby?
In babies, heat rash usually develops in areas like
the groin, armpits, neck, and elbow creases. It is characterized by small tiny
bumps that are often surrounded by red skin. These bumps may be clear or white
and may be filled with fluid. They usually end up bursting but do not cause
pain or itching.
