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Table of Contents
Quick Tips
Symptoms
How It Feels
Other Rashes
Treatment
Prevention
Heat rash causes a raised rash with small, fluid-filled blisters that contain trapped sweat.The tiny bumps typically appear on the neck, chest, and upper back. They may be red in lighter skin tones and darker than the surrounding skin in darker skin tones.They may beitchyand/or cause a “prickly” feeling, like pins and needles.
Michele Pevide / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Heat rash is categorized into three types, as follows:
More generally,heat rash looks likesmall, raised spots, possibly with mild swelling, that may be pink in lighter skin tones or darker than the surrounding skin in darker skin tones.It may also look like small bumps filled with clear or milky fluid.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Location on Infants
Heat rash in babies or children typically appears on areas such as:
Symptom Onset and Duration
Heat rash usually clears up within three days after changing to a cooler environment.
On Different Skin Tones
On lighter skin tones, the rash typically looks red.
Ondarker skin tones, the rash may look gray, white, or slightly darker than surrounding skin.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Heat rash doesn’t usually require medical care, but occasionally complications can arise. The symptoms can also be similar tomore serious conditions, so it’s best to see a healthcare provider if you aren’t sure it is heat rash, particularly if other symptoms are present.
Contact your healthcare provider if your child’s rash is not gone after three days, or if you have questions or concerns.
Symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention may include:
While less common, rashes can indicate something serious, such asmeningitisor a severe allergic reaction. Call911(or your local emergency number), or go to the emergency room if your child has a rash and symptoms such as:
Heat rash may have sensations like:
Rashes With Fever
Rashes with a high temperature could include:
Rashes With Itching
Rashes with itching may include:
Rashes Without Itching or Fever
Complications of Heat RashComplications from heat rash are rare, but may include:Infection: Bacteria makes the fluid-filled bumps grow bigger, become more inflamed, and become painful.Heat exhaustionand heat stroke: Clogged sweat glands can prevent the body from cooling itself properly and lead to heat exhaustion. If heat exhaustion isn’t treated, it could progress to heat stroke, which is dangerous and potentially fatal.
Complications of Heat Rash
Complications from heat rash are rare, but may include:Infection: Bacteria makes the fluid-filled bumps grow bigger, become more inflamed, and become painful.Heat exhaustionand heat stroke: Clogged sweat glands can prevent the body from cooling itself properly and lead to heat exhaustion. If heat exhaustion isn’t treated, it could progress to heat stroke, which is dangerous and potentially fatal.
Complications from heat rash are rare, but may include:
Keep Cool
Get Wet
You may want to try the following:
Dress Light
For children older than 1 year, sleeping on a cotton towel might help absorb sweat.
Remove their clothes as often as possible, and loosen their diaper if it is rubbing against the rash.
Go light on the clothing, both in weight and color, and use lightweight bedding.
Skip the Lotions, Oils, and Ointments
To help with itching, your healthcare provider may suggest:
If it is warm, choose clothing that is:
Skin-to-Skin ContactBreastfeeding babiesmay get a rash on their face from being held against their nursing parent’s skin, or fromlanolinused on nipples which can block sweat glands.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Breastfeeding babiesmay get a rash on their face from being held against their nursing parent’s skin, or fromlanolinused on nipples which can block sweat glands.
Are Heat Rashes in Babies Avoidable?
Heat rash can’t always be avoided, but some measures can helpreduce the risk. These practices are similar to the ones used to treat heat rash, including:
Summary
Heat rash is typically not serious, but it can sharesimilar symptomsto more concerning conditions. Talk to a healthcare provider if your child has symptoms you are curious or concerned about.
15 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.
MyHealth Alberta.Heat rash in children: care instructions.
Healthdirect Australia.Heat rash.
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Heat rash.
AboutKidsHealth.Heat rash (miliaria).
Harvard Medical School.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.
HealthLink BC.Heat rash.
Saint Luke’s.When your child has heat rash (prickly heat).
Children’s Health.How to prevent and treat heat rash in children.
DermNet.Miliaria.
National Health Service.Heat rash (prickly heat).
Harvard Health.Heat rash: How to spot it and what to do.
National Health Service.Rashes in babies and children.
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Newborn rashes and birthmarks.
Mount Sinai.Babies and heat rashes.
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