A harmless skin condition, yet sometimes unsightly and a source of itching, heat rashes are caused by excessive sweating. But how can they be avoided? What are the 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 rash?
- How can their appearance be prevented?
- How can they be soothed?
- When should one seek consultation?
Published May 31, 2022,
updated on July 31, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
What causes heat rash?
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 spots known as heat rash or miliaria in medical jargon. It is therefore a natural skin reaction to expel 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 spots. They may contain clear fluid or pus and often come with itching. They are mostly found on exposed areas (forehead, neck, chest, hands, feet...) and folds such as the armpits or groin.
This phenomenon can affect every individual, but it isparticularly prevalent among infants and young children because they may not necessarily have the right instincts to cool down (hydrate, take a shower, seek shade, undress...).
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How can their appearance be prevented?
Severalpieces of advice 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 lightweight and loose clothing, made from natural fibres (linen, cotton...).
Do not apply a sunscreen with a texture that is too thick to avoid clogging the pores. The sun 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 protections (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 rash.
Avoid engaging in physical activity under intense heat. Any activity that promotes sweating can lead to the occurrence of heat rash.
How can they be soothed?
The mild itching and irritation caused by heat rash can be alleviated by following our recommendations.
Utilising aloe vera.
The native aloe vera gel has a soothing effect on heat rashes. It contains several antiseptic agents including lupeol and cinnamic acid which help tocalm itching. Moreover, it provides an immediate cooling sensation and exerts a reparative activity by inhibiting certain inflammation mediators such as prostaglandin F2, via 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, caution must be taken to ensure it is not overly abrasive, so as not to inflame areas already weakened by heat spots. 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 brings brightness. It is particularly suitable for dull, lacklustre 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 rash. Therefore, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and apply a moisturising cream with a light, non-greasy texture to the affected area.
Note : some traditional remedies recommend applying baking soda powder directly to heat rash to open the pores and facilitate the evacuation of sweat. However, we would like to clarify that no scientific data has validated this application.
When should one 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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