Prickly heat is a common condition in which areas of the skin itch intensely and often feel prickly, or sting, due to overheating. Also called heat rash prickly heat looks like tiny bumps surrounded by an area of red skin. 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, prickly heat can interfere with the body's heat-regulating mechanism and cause fever, heat exhaustion and even death.

Prickly heat occurs most often in hot, humid conditions, but you may develop it in cool weather if you are overdressed. The condition usually appears a few days to a few months after exposure to a hot, humid environment. It's most common in infants. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to prickly heat because their sweat ducts are not mature, which makes it easier for the beads of moisture to be trapped.

Symptoms:

    * Small, itchy red bumps on the skin

    * Prickly, stinging or burning sensation in the affected area

Home Treatment:

Gently wash skin with soft gauze and lukewarm water and pat on a mixture of one part alcohol to three parts boiled water after cooled.  Dust with Talcum powder  Or, use baking soda in a little water than dust with talcum.

Soak away the itch. To counter the itching that accompanies prickly heat, add some baking soda or a colloidal oatmeal product such as Aveeno Bath Treatment to a tub of tepid water or make your own oatmeal bath. A good soak will soothe the skin and take away the itching.

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.

If your child is older and is extremely uncomfortable, give him/her an antihistamine such as children's Benadryl. ( Be sure to read package directions to make certain the product is recommended for your child's age. For the correct dosage, follow package directions or consult your physician.) Kids are much more sensitive to itchiness at night, and more likely to scratch the rash, which can lead to infection

Prevention:

Avoid overdressing.

Allow Skin to breathe

Avoid heavy moisturizers. Tender newborn skin tends to be dry and in need of moisturizing. But heavy, oil-based creams can be a problem. 'Moisturize with a light, water-based lotion instead.

Shiloah Baker is a homeschooling mother of seven. She and her family reside in North Carolina where she runs The Homemaking Cottage & Co. from home. Join us at The Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition for 897 ways to improve your home and family! http://www.homemaking-cottage.com/ And don’t forget to join our ezine for free ideas. Free Homemaking Newsletter

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