Prickly Heat: Heat Rashes

Prickly heat rashes occur when sweat accumulates in any part of the body and does not dry. As a result it blocks the sweat glands and causes red color rashes on the skin.

Prickle heat is painful and causes itching. Wrist, arms, back and chest are the mainly affected area. Children can also develop these rashes.

These rashes neither cause any harm nor any other skin disease. It occurs in hot and humid climate. There are several other factors like excessive intake of alcohol, eating too much of junk food, acidity and unhealthy lifestyle that may also cause prickly heat. Cancer medicines also cause prickly heat.

Home Remedies

There are various home remedies that help to get relief from prickly heat. The very basic step to be taken to reduce the itching and burning is to take bath in cool water and sit in a cool room. This would reduce the itching and give you much relief. Rubbing ice cubes would reduce the inflammation and swelling in the area.

There are several powders and gels available in the market. Use this powder 3 to 4 times in a day. The powder absorbs the moisture on the body and keeps it dry.

Other easy home remedy is to apply gram flour on the rash; this would reduce the inflammation and also remove the dead skin.

Make a paste of sandalwood powder and coriander leaves in rose water. Apply it on the affected area and let it dry. Wash with cool water. This would give you instant relief. Apply paste of neem leaves it is also effective. Honey is also good due to its cooling properties.

Oatmeal powder is also very good for instant relief. Fuller’s earth is also very effective. Make a paste of this in rose water and apply on the area. This is also one of a good home remedy.

Avoid going out in sun in summers. Wear cotton clothes only. Do not wear too tight or synthetic clothes. Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated. Do not apply creams rather apply talcum powder this would keep the body dry.