A harmless skin condition, heat rashes can sometimes be unsightly and cause itching due to excessive sweating. But how can they be avoided? What are some tips to soothe them? When should one seek medical advice? Typology answers your questions on this subject.
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All you need to know about heat rashes.
Summary
- What causes heat rashes?
- How can their appearance be prevented?
- How to soothe them?
- When should you seek consultation?
Published May 31, 2022,
updated on July 31, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
What causes heat rashes?
During prolonged exposure to the sun or in a particularly hot and humid location, the skin will sweat excessively. This unusual sweat production clogs the sweat ducts, leading to pink or even red bumps known as heat rash or miliaria in medical terminology. It is therefore a natural skin reaction to evacuate the trapped sweat under the epidermis. Heat rashes are common, benign, and non-serious skin conditions.They tend to naturally disappear after one or two days.
In terms of their appearance, they can be small transparent vesicles resembling water droplets or red bumps. They may contain clear fluid or pus and often come with itching. They are primarily found in exposed areas (forehead, neck, chest, hands, feet...) and folds such as the armpits or groin.
This phenomenon can affect every individual, but it isparticularly common in infants and young children because they may not necessarily have the right instincts to cool down (hydrate, take a shower, stay in the shade, undress...).
How can their appearance be prevented?
Severaltips should be followed to limit the appearance and development of heat rashes.
Avoid wearing overly tight clothing and those made from synthetic materials; Opt for light and loose clothing, made from natural fibers (linen, cotton...).
Do not apply a sunscreen with a texture that is too thick to avoid clogging the pores. The sunscreen creams from Typology have a light and fluid texture. They do not leave white traces and are composed of 82% natural origin ingredients. For the face and body, they offer broad-spectrum protection (SPF30 and SPF50).
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Extended sun exposure often leads to excessive sweating, which can result in the occurrence of heat rashes.
Avoid engaging in physical activity under intense heat. Any activity that promotes sweating can lead to the occurrence of heat rash.
How to soothe them?
The mild itching and irritation caused by heat rashes can be alleviated by following our recommendations.
Utilizing aloe vera.
The native aloe vera gel has a soothing effect on heat rashes. It contains several antiseptic agents including lupeol and cinnamic acid that help toalleviate itching. Moreover, it provides an immediate cooling sensation and exerts a reparative activity by inhibiting certain inflammation mediators such as prostaglandin F2, through the degradation pathway of arachidonic acid by acting on cyclooxygenase. It can be applied directly after showering to the affected area, in the form of a poultice.
Perform a gentle exfoliation.
Exfoliation aids in the removal of accumulated sweat from the epidermis. However, it's crucial that it's not too abrasive to avoid inflaming areas already weakened by heat bumps. At Typology,we have developed four scrubs using micro-exfoliating grains derived from ground apricot kernels. Our facial scrubs are less concentrated in abrasive particles than our body scrubs, in order to respect your skin. TheRadiance Facial Scrub with rosehip oil and organic carrot macerate evens out the complexion and imparts brightness. It is particularly suitable for dull, lackluster skin, as well as dry and uncomfortable skin. TheNourishing Body Scrubhelps to soften and smooth the epidermis. It is particularly suitable for dry and uncomfortable skin. TheToning Body Scrubcontains organic green coffee macerate (draining) as well as organic lemongrass and cedar essential oils (anti-cellulite). It is recommended for smoothing, firming, and toning the skin while reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Hydrate.
Proper hydration is essential for achieving beautiful skin and quickly getting rid of heat rashes. Therefore, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and apply a moisturizing cream with a light, non-greasy texture to the affected area.
Note : some home remedies recommend applying baking soda powder directly to heat rash to open the pores and facilitate sweat evacuation. However, we would like to clarify that no scientific data has validated this application.
When should you seek consultation?
It is recommended to consult your primary care physician if heat rashes are accompanied by pain or swelling in the irritated area, swollen lymph nodes, or even chills or fever.
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