Hot Weather Skin SOS: How to Fight Sweat Rash and Stay Comfortable

Heat rash or prickly heat, also known as sweat rash, is a common problem faced by the most of us in hot and humid Climate like india. It occurs when the skin becomes soggy from sweat that cannot properly exit because of blockages in tiny tubes allowing sweat to emerge. Small red spots or little blisters appear over the areas that sweat has been trapped in under the skin, which is itchy. Those are usually the spots found on joints and places like neck, chest, back, armpits, etc.

Our skin is sweatted through sweat glands to produce sweat and cool the body. Generally, sweat will be allowed to escape and evaporate. Except sweat is much slower to dry in the summer humidity. Typically the sweat tubes get blocked by dirt or dead skin, tight clothes, and thick creams. This makes the sweat stay under the skin and cause a rash.

Common reasons are:

• Very hot, and humid weather
• Clothes that are very tight or plastic-like and do not let air in
• Working or playing, so you sweat a lot
• Babies have small, young sweat glands, which can get blocked easily
• Too many clothes or using creams that block sweat
• Not cleaning skin properly

Heat rash starts as tiny bumps or little blisters.. On light skin, these look red. On dark skin, they may be hard to see or look gray or white. It feels itchy or sting when you sweat a lot if it gets infected by germs, then the blisters fill with pus. The skin may swell; it may hurt and you may get a fever.

There are three types depending on where sweat gets stuck:

1. Miliaria Crystallina
   
   Tiny clear bubbles on the skin. It is very mild and goes away fast.
2. Miliaria Rubra (Prickly Heat)
   
   Red, itchy bumps that can be sore. If infected, bumps can fill with pus.
3. Miliaria Profunda
   
   Hard, flesh-colored bumps under the skin. It is rare but can stop sweating well.

To feel better and stop rash:

• Wear loose, cotton clothes. Cotton lets your skin breathe. Do not wear plastic or tight clothes.
• Stay cool. Use fans or AC and take cool showers.
• Change out of wet clothes fast. Wet clothes make rash worse.
• Use powders like calamine or antifungal powders on sweat spots and skin folds to keep dry.
• Clean and dry all skin folds like under breasts, behind ears, and between toes well.
• Stop exercising or working when it's too warm out.
• Stay Hydrated to Stay Cool
• Stay away from heavy creams that prevent the flow of sweat.

If the itch is really bad, you might use a little calamine lotion or cream; but apply steroid creams only if prescribed by a doctor.

See a doctor if:

• Rash does not get better or gets worse after a few days
• Blisters have pus or infection signs
• You have fever or swelling near rash
• Rash is on babies or very painful
• Rash comes back many times

Doctors can give better medicine and make sure it is not another skin problem.

If you get sweat rash many times, the skin gets weak and sore. The sweat glands can get hurt and stop working well. This can make your body hot because it can’t cool down properly.

Scratching the rash breaks the skin and can let germs in. This can cause infections that need medicine. Also, in dark skin, rash can leave dark or light spots that take a long time to go away.

Stopping rash early keeps your skin safe and healthy.

In places like India, air is very wet. This wet air stops sweat from drying. Wet sweat blocks the sweat tubes fast. Wet skin gets soft and sweat can get stuck.

Tight or plastic clothes hold sweat and heat close to the skin. This makes rash happen easily.

Wearing clean, loose cotton clothes and keeping your skin dry helps sweat dry faster and stops rash.

Sweat rash is common in hot and wet weather in India. It itches and is not nice but can be stopped by:

• Staying cool
• Wearing cotton clothes
• Keeping skin clean and dry
• Not sweating too much
  
  If rash lasts long or is very bad, see a doctor soon.

Taking care of your skin helps you feel good and enjoy hot days without rash.

1. Is coconut oil good for heat rash ?
   
   Coconut oil is a natural elixir that can moisten the skin, which will subsequently heal any lingering heat rashes. Its antibacterial properties prevent any infections, which means heat rashes can easily be avoided by using aloe at home as well. I highly recommend using virgin coconut oil because it is pure and almost always has no added chemicals.
2. Can I put vasaline on sweat rash ?
   
   Here are things to avoid as your heat rash heals: Ointments or Vaseline – Antibiotic ointments like Neosporin or ointments that contain mineral oil or petroleum (such as Vaseline) can clog your pores and make your heat rash worse.
3. What soap is best for heat rash ?
   
   Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap, Unscented Soap Bar for Sensitive Skin, 4 oz Bar. No Bite Me Soap.Roycederm Sulfur Soap for Acne Support: Sulfur Face Wash Bar for Sensitive Skin and Blemish-Prone Areas - Sulfur Body Cleanser with 10% Volcanic Sulfur, Tea Tree Oil - 2 Bars.