Try a cool
compress. While a thin coating of mild, water-based moisturizing lotion
may help stop the itching, cool compresses sometimes work better. Make a
compress by dipping a washcloth in a mixture of one teaspoon of baking
soda per cup of cool water. Apply to the rash for five to ten minutes.
Do this four or five times a day.
There are many
non- prescription lotions that relieve the itch from heat rash. Smooth
mentholated or calamine lotion on your skin to cool the irritated areas.
Alternatively, gently apply the gel from an aloe Vera leaf, a plant
well-known for its healing and soothing properties.
Heat Rash
also can appear as large, reddened areas of skin. Babies and children
are also more likely to be affected than adults because of their
underdeveloped sweat glands, in which case the rash is commonly found in
the nappy area and in the skin folds or on the neck. Heat Rash can also
occur in cooler climates when sweating is a problem.
Cooling
your skin is a number one priority to prevent heat rash from raging
further. Pack some ice cubes into a sealed plastic bag and wrap it in a
dishcloth. Apply to the affected areas for five to ten minutes at a
time. Repeat every four to six hours.
It usually occurs on
clothed parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen, neck, upper chest,
groin, or armpits and goes away on its own within a few days. In severe
forms, however, heat rash can interfere with the body's heat-regulating
mechanism and cause fever, heat exhaustion, and even death
When working in
the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do
the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become
confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65 years of age or older,
have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat
wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least
twice a day.
The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a
cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry. Dusting
powder may be used to increase comfort, but avoid using ointments or
creams-they keep the skin warm and moist and may make the condition
worse.
Apply hydrocortisone cream. For older children and
adults, 1% hydrocortisone cream can kick the itch. A thin layer, applied
to the rash two or three times a day, may help the bumps heal faster,
too. Be sure to follow the package directions, and never use these
creams on babies. .
Summer is a time for fun and play but
it can also be a time of discomfort when you can't beat the heat so take
every precaution you can to have a healthy, happy summer. By playing it
cool, you can beat the summer heat and the discomfort of heat rash.
