Summers spell a scorching hot sun, unbearably high temperatures, and excessive sweating. Spending a day under the sweltering sun leaves you with those tiny reddish, itchy rashes. Prickly heat is not a grave condition, but is something that needs to be taken care of in the right way. Here are some time-tested and effective home remedies for prickly heat.
But before you glance through these tips, you need to understand what exactly prickly heat is and what its triggers are. This will help you to handle it better, equipping you with the necessary measures to prevent it.
While prickly heat is common in summers, they could lift their ugly head in winters too. The excessive sweat clogs the skin pores, which, in turn trigger these rashes. This happens when your perspiration gets trapped under the skin, instead of evaporating. That is why prickly heat rashes are seen commonly along skin folds, such as neck, waist, armpits, and groin. Researchers have not found the exact reasons behind the clogging of sweat ducts but there are several contributory factors involved.
Common factors triggering miliaria (prickly heat) could be:
Babies are extremely prone to prickly heat. The sweat ducts of newborns remain under-developed for quite a long time, and hence are prone to quick blocking. Newborn babies can develop prickly heat if they are placed in incubators or wrapped up too snugly in blankets.
Under normal circumstances, prickly heat is not painful. It is an annoying rash that tends to cause a lot of itching along with stinging or prickling sensation. The itching can result in secondary infection. It is not life-threatening, but at times the blisters can be tender to touch.
Thankfully, there are numerous home remedies for prickly heat rash that you can try your hand at. It is advisable to use two or three remedies simultaneously for quicker and more effective healing.
Run an oatmeal bath and soak yourself in it for 15 to 20 minutes. You also can use the oatmeal to scrub the affected areas gently. It will help to exfoliate the skin and clear the blocked sweat ducts. This home remedy for prickly heat is great for getting relief from the itching and inflammation, if any.
The anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of aloe vera help in easing various types of skin rashes, including those of prickly heat. Just pluck an aloe leaf and cut it. Squeeze out the natural gel in the leaf onto the affected part of the body. It will help alleviate the inflammation and also ease the redness. If you cannot lay your hands on an aloe plant, use your aloe rich moisturizing lotion. An amazing skin softening and hydrating agent, it prevents skin from dehydration. The antibiotic properties of aloe vera gel heal as well as prevent infection in the affected region.
Make a thick paste of chickpea flour using some water. Apply the paste onto the affected part and let it stand for about 15 minutes. Use cool water to wash off the paste. This home remedy will provide relief from the itching and prickling sensation.
Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti has long been used for treating prickly heat. Take four tablespoons of Fuller’s earth and mix a few drops of rose water to make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas and wash off with cold water after about three hours.
The anti-bacterial properties of baking or cooking soda help in preventing infections at the site, while soothing the skin. Make a mild solution of baking soda with some cool water. Dip a clean, soft, washcloth in the solution and gently rub on the affected portions of the skin to heal prickly heat.
Slice up some medium sized potatoes and apply the slices on the affected area. You also can dab the areas with the slices. It will ease the itchy and prickly sensation.
PREV POST PAGE 1 2NEXT