Various ways to deal with prickly heat during hot weather & bull; hello healthy

Have your child or you experienced prickly heat? The itching or even the pain is certainly unpleasant, right? Prickly heat may be a problem that is often encountered in tropical climates such as Indonesia. In fact, why do prickly heat arise? What can be done to solve it?

Causes of prickly heat

Prickly heat or in medical terms known as miliaria can occur in children and adults. This condition is common in areas with hot and humid weather, where people can sweat profusely. Prickly heat occurs due to clogged pores or sweat ducts in the skin, preventing sweating. Wearing clothes that trap sweat or certain thick skin creams can also trigger prickly heat.

Prickly heat can also appear in cooler temperatures if you wear clothes or sleep in a blanket that causes you to overheat. Babies are usually more prone to prickly heat because their pores are not yet fully developed.

Symptoms and types of prickly heat

In adults, prickly heat usually appears on the skin covered by clothing and in the folds of the body. In babies, prickly heat is usually found on the neck, shoulders, and chest.

Types of prickly heat can be classified based on the depth of the blocked ducts in the skin. Symptoms of each type also vary.

Miliaria crystallina: is the mildest type of prickly heat and is caused by blockage of the sweat ducts that are in the top layer of the skin. It is characterized by small, fluid-filled spots that break easily.

Miliaria rubra: occurs more frequently in adults than in children. In the form of red spots and sometimes accompanied by a sharp pain on the affected skin. In some cases, this type of prickly heat can become infected and fill with pus, hence the name miliaria pustulosa.

Miliaria profunda: is the rarest type. Regarding the inner skin layer (dermis). Prickly heat of this type can recur and become chronic. Usually occurs in adults after doing physical activity that causes a lot of sweat. It appears on the skin in the form of larger, skin-colored spots.

What kinds of prickly heat should be reported to a doctor?

Prickly heat will usually heal on its own if you avoid exposure to heat to your skin. However, you may need to consult your doctor if the symptoms of prickly heat persist for several days or if your symptoms are getting worse. Also watch for signs of infection such as:

Increased pain, swelling, redness or a burning sensation in the skin experiencing prickly heat.
Pus discharge from the prickly heat.
The lymph nodes in the neck, when, or the genitals swell.
Fever or chills.

How to treat and treat prickly heat

For mild prickly heat, you just need to avoid the heat to heal your prickly heat. However, for more severe prickly heat, you may need an ointment to apply to your skin. Some of the options you can use include:

Calamine lotion: to relieve itching.
Anhydrous lanolin: to prevent blockage of the sweat ducts and prevent the appearance of new prickly heat.
Topical steroids: for severe cases.

Apart from medication, you can also do these easy things:

In hot weather, wear loose, cool clothing that absorbs sweat easily.
As much as possible, spend your time in an air-conditioned room.
Take a shower with cool water and a moisturizing soap, then let your body dry on its own without using a towel.
Use calamine lotion or a cold compress to relieve itching and irritation of the skin.
Avoid using creams and ointments that contain mineral oil or petroleum. This oil content can further clog sweat ducts.