They aren't always prepared for the first time that their baby gets a heat rash though, as they often confuse heat rashes with an allergy, infection, or other baby skin rashes.
Heat Rash Symptoms
With a typical heat rash, a baby's sweat ducts become red and inflamed, and may cause a "prickling" or stinging sensation, which may lead to mild itching.The inflamed sweat ducts look like small bumps with a red halo around them and can usually be found grouped together under a baby's clothing and inside the folds of her skin. Affected areas typically include a baby's neck, armpits, and groin. Babies who wear a hat may also get a heat rash on their forehead and scalp.
Preventing Heat Rash
Most methods of preventing heat rash have the goal of not allowing your baby to get overheated and include:- dressing your baby in weather appropriate, loose fitting clothing, so that she doesn't get overheated.
- avoiding excessive heat and humidity when possible.
- avoiding thick occlusive ointments, including moisturizers, or oil based products on a baby's skin, which can block the sweat ducts.
Heat Rash Treatments
Although heat rash usually goes away on its own in a few days, some children do require treatment, which can include:- removing the child from the triggering environment, such as dressing in less clothing, moving inside to a cooler, air-conditioned environment
- mild strength topical steroids, although these usually aren't needed
- calamine lotion
- compresses with cool water
- antibiotics for secondary infections
