Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAt-Home RemediesSelf-Care MethodsOTC MedicationsWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
At-Home Remedies
Self-Care Methods
OTC Medications
When to Seek Medical Care
Heat rash remedies include oatmeal baths, baking soda, and other at-home treatments to deal with symptoms of itching and burning. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and environmental changes, like using fans or taking cool showers, also can help.
Sweattrapped under the skin blocks sweat glands and causes heat rash, often in armpits or the groin.Aheat rashappears as small, pink bumps on light skin tones and white bumps on dark skin tones. Heat rash isn’t typically serious but it can be very uncomfortable.
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1. Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmealcan soothe, soften, and increase the skin’s moisture.Research shows that colloidal oatmeal can do this for many different types of rashes.
Colloidal oatmeal has the following benefits:
You can find colloidal oatmeal in preparations that you can add to a bath or in lotions you apply directly to the skin.
2. Sandalwood
Research found sandalwood oil has the following properties, which may relieve the symptoms of some skin conditions:
Keep in mind that essential oils should be used with caution and typically require a carrier oil when applied to the skin. Some people may be allergic to sandalwood oil.
3. Baking Soda
Baking sodais used to treat skin conditions likeeczemabecause it helps relieve the itch associated with some rashes.If your heat rash is very itchy, a baking soda paste or bath could offer some relief.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe verais a gel many apply to skin ailments like sunburn. However, it can also be used for other skin wounds and rashes for similar relief.
Research has found aloe has the following properties and may offer relief from heat rash symptoms:
5. Talcum Powder
Talcum powderis made from talc. Some use it to help keep skin dry and prevent rashes. However, talcum powder has been linked to some kinds of cancer in humans when it is not asbestos-free.
You may want to limit or avoid using it or choose a powder without talc.
6. Neem
Neemis a traditional medicinal plant that may help with rashes, including heat rash. It has the following properties:
Applyneem oildirectly to the skin. Look for organic oils not sourced from plants exposed to fertilizers and pesticides. Always use diluted oil and test it on a small skin patch first.
7. Epsom Salt
Epsom saltsare often used in baths to relieve tension and soothe skin. Epsom salt baths may also help with heat rash. Add about 2 cups of Epsom salt to warm water to use in a bath. Soak for up to 15 minutes.
8. Cool Baths and Showers
Cooling the skin is a critical step in treating heat rash. A cool bath or shower can be an excellent first step. You can bathe for up to 10 minutes, being careful not to get chilled. Repeat up to three times a day.
9. Fans and Air Conditioners
Along with cooling the skin with a bath or shower, you should also reduce the air temperature in your home. Lower the central air temperature or turn on your window air-conditioning unit.
Alternately (or additionally), sitting in front of a fan may provide extra relief.
10. Wear Light, Moisture-Wicking Clothing
One of the keys to resolving heat rash is to reduce sweat and heat on the skin. Stay away from tight, warm, clingy clothes. Opt instead for light, moisture-wicking clothing. Loose cotton tops, tunics, dresses, and flowy bottoms are all excellent options.
11. Ice Packs or Cold Washcloths
12. Ointments
Calamine lotionis a good option for instant itch relief. When you apply calamine to the skin, it dries, leaving a film of medication behind.Calamine lotion is anti-inflammatory and antipruritic (anti-itch). You can find it online, in pharmacies, and in drug stores.
13. Antihistamines
Antihistamineslike Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can help relieve the itch associated with heat rash. Options for OTC antihistamines include topical creams or tablets.
14. Steroid Creams
How Long Does a Heat Rash Last?Most mild cases of heat rash go away in just a day or two. However, if your rash is more severe, it may last a week.The fastest way to eliminate a heat rash is to cool the body, prevent skin irritation, and soothe the skin using one or more of the above methods.
How Long Does a Heat Rash Last?
Most mild cases of heat rash go away in just a day or two. However, if your rash is more severe, it may last a week.The fastest way to eliminate a heat rash is to cool the body, prevent skin irritation, and soothe the skin using one or more of the above methods.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Summary
There are many methods for treating heat rash at home, including at-home remedies, self-soothing treatments, and OTC medicine. Whatever you choose, aim to cool and soothe the skin and reduce friction. When treated early and effectively, heat rash doesn’t last long.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.National Cancer Institute.Colloidal oatmeal.Allais B, Friedman A.ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Oct 1;19(10):s4-s7. PMID: 33026768Moy RL, Levenson C.Sandalwood album oil as a botanical therapeutic in dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(10):34-39.Geier J, Schubert S, Reich K, Skudlik C, Ballmer-Weber B, Brehler R,et al.Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019.Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Jul;87(1):71-80. doi:10.1111/cod.14126National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci.2019 Jan;44(1):1–9.American Cancer Society.Talcum powder and cancer.Singh V, Roy M, Garg N, et al.An insight into the dermatological applications of neem: a review on traditional and modern aspect.Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2021;16(2):94-121. doi:10.2174/2772434416666210604105251Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23Seattle Children’s Hospital.Heat rash.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Heat rash.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Summer rashes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical corticosteroids: choice and application.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.National Cancer Institute.Colloidal oatmeal.Allais B, Friedman A.ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Oct 1;19(10):s4-s7. PMID: 33026768Moy RL, Levenson C.Sandalwood album oil as a botanical therapeutic in dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(10):34-39.Geier J, Schubert S, Reich K, Skudlik C, Ballmer-Weber B, Brehler R,et al.Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019.Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Jul;87(1):71-80. doi:10.1111/cod.14126National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci.2019 Jan;44(1):1–9.American Cancer Society.Talcum powder and cancer.Singh V, Roy M, Garg N, et al.An insight into the dermatological applications of neem: a review on traditional and modern aspect.Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2021;16(2):94-121. doi:10.2174/2772434416666210604105251Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23Seattle Children’s Hospital.Heat rash.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Heat rash.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Summer rashes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical corticosteroids: choice and application.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.National Cancer Institute.Colloidal oatmeal.Allais B, Friedman A.ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Oct 1;19(10):s4-s7. PMID: 33026768Moy RL, Levenson C.Sandalwood album oil as a botanical therapeutic in dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(10):34-39.Geier J, Schubert S, Reich K, Skudlik C, Ballmer-Weber B, Brehler R,et al.Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019.Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Jul;87(1):71-80. doi:10.1111/cod.14126National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci.2019 Jan;44(1):1–9.American Cancer Society.Talcum powder and cancer.Singh V, Roy M, Garg N, et al.An insight into the dermatological applications of neem: a review on traditional and modern aspect.Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2021;16(2):94-121. doi:10.2174/2772434416666210604105251Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23Seattle Children’s Hospital.Heat rash.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Heat rash.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Summer rashes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical corticosteroids: choice and application.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Heat rash.
National Cancer Institute.Colloidal oatmeal.
Allais B, Friedman A.ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Oct 1;19(10):s4-s7. PMID: 33026768
Moy RL, Levenson C.Sandalwood album oil as a botanical therapeutic in dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(10):34-39.
Geier J, Schubert S, Reich K, Skudlik C, Ballmer-Weber B, Brehler R,et al.Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019.Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Jul;87(1):71-80. doi:10.1111/cod.14126
National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.
Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A.The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review.Iran J Med Sci.2019 Jan;44(1):1–9.
American Cancer Society.Talcum powder and cancer.
Singh V, Roy M, Garg N, et al.An insight into the dermatological applications of neem: a review on traditional and modern aspect.Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2021;16(2):94-121. doi:10.2174/2772434416666210604105251
Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Heat rash.
Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.
International Hyperhidrosis Society.Heat rash.
Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Summer rashes.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical corticosteroids: choice and application.
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