Miliaria, also known as heat rash or prickly heat, is a rash caused by blocked sweat glands. It is not dangerous but can lead to infections. It is common in children and can be prevented by staying cool and bathing frequently. Treatment includes cold baths and avoiding oil-based creams. It can be mistaken for other conditions, so a doctor’s visit may be necessary.
Miliaria is a rash caused by blockage of the sweat glands. You may also hear it called “heat rash” or “prickly heat,” in reference to conditions associated with miliaria. This condition is not dangerous, but it should be avoided if possible and treated when it occurs to prevent infections, some of which can be serious. It’s also sometimes helpful to visit a doctor to make sure a rash is indeed miliaria, rather than another condition that looks similar.
This condition is particularly common in children, possibly because their sweat glands are not fully developed and it tends to appear in skin folds or severely irritated areas. Classic miliaria rubra, the most benign form of milia, can look like a series of pimples with reddish skin between them. When a patient experiences repeated bouts of miliaria, it is known as miliaria profunda and can lead to miliaria pustular, a situation where the skin is actually infected.
Miliaria is linked to increased heat and humidity, which can lead to increased sweating rate. As the body perspires, the glands can become blocked, especially if someone hasn’t washed recently. To reduce the risk of miliaria, people should try to stay cool with the assistance of fans and air conditioning, and they should also bathe several times a day to flush out sweat glands and pores, especially after exercise. Light, comfortable clothing is also a good idea.
Once miliaria appears, the best treatment is to take frequent cold baths with mild soap, which promotes the development of new skin cells and reduces the risk of infection. In some cases, a steroid or antibiotic cream may be prescribed to prevent the skin from becoming infected as it heals. Under no circumstances should oil-based creams be used, as they can further clog the pores, leading to an infection.
People often identify miliaria by the sensation before seeing the rash, as it feels distinctly itchy and stinging. If these symptoms accompany a rash in hot, humid weather, there’s a very good chance the rash is miliaria. However, it’s possible to mistake shingles, staph, or impetigo for miliaria, so you may want to see a doctor to be sure, especially if the rash spreads or doesn’t seem to get better after a few days of home treatment.
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