Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: How to bring down fever and relieve rashes
• Part 2 of 2: Miliaria Symptoms and Medical Treatment

Miliaria affects not only athletes and people leading an active lifestyle, but also babies. Miliaria can be caused by a blockage in the sweat glands, which traps sweat under the surface of the skin. Since the baby's sweat glands are not sufficiently developed, they secrete excessive sweat, which leads to the appearance of a rash. Fortunately, the rash usually clears up on its own, but there are some things you can do to relieve the baby's discomfort.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: How to bring down fever and relieve rashes

1. 1 Bathe the child. As soon as you notice prickly heat in your child, start chilling him. Bathe your baby in lukewarm water to bring down the temperature.The main thing is not to bathe your child in cold water. Cold water can shock your baby because of the extreme temperature differences.
   • Wait until the baby's skin is dry after the bath. It is very important not to wipe the baby with a towel, but to let his skin dry naturally. This will speed up the healing of the skin.
2. 2 Cool down the room. You may have noticed that after sleeping in a warm room, your baby's skin feels too warm. Check the room temperature. Its values ​​should not exceed 20-22 degrees. If necessary, turn on the air conditioner or fan to circulate the air.
   • If the room is not air-conditioned and the fan is not keeping the room cool, consider taking your baby to an air-conditioned public place, such as a supermarket or library.
   • Studies have shown that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is reduced when the air conditioner is turned on while sleeping in the nursery.
3. 3 Dress your child in loose-fitting clothing. Remove diapers or warm clothing (long-sleeved T-shirts, woolen sweaters, etc.) from your baby. Instead, wear cotton or natural fabrics for your child. This will help cool it down as moisture will not linger on the skin. Try to dress your child in such a way that it is easier for you to remove or add a particular piece of clothing and so that it does not overheat.
   • Babies are more prone to prickly heat when they are too warm (too much clothes or wrapped in diapers too tightly) or if they have a fever.
4. 4 Use a cold compress. Dip a soft cotton rag in cool water and dab it over the rash to relieve itching. When the fabric is hot, dip it in water again and apply to the rash. You can also use an herbal compress made from herbs to reduce inflammation. For five minutes, steep one heaped teaspoon of herbs (approximately 7 g) in a glass (240 ml) of hot water. Wait until the mixture has completely cooled, then dip a rag in it and use it as a compress. Use the following herbs to make tea:
   • yellow root;
   • calendula;
   • echinacea;
   • oatmeal.
5. 5 Apply aloe vera. Cut off the stem of the aloe. Squeeze the gel onto the rash and spread it evenly over the body. The gel will be sticky at first, but it will dry out soon. Research has shown that aloe vera relieves inflammation and treats minor skin conditions.
   • If you don't have an aloe plant to cut off the stem from, buy aloe vera gel from your pharmacy. When choosing a product, give preference to the one whose main ingredient is aloe, rather than preservatives and fillers.
6. 6 Do not apply cream, lotion, or ointment. Although a natural aloe gel can be applied to the rash, do not use lotions, creams, or ointments (such as Calamine Lotion) to relieve itching. Some doctors believe that it can dry out the skin, thereby exacerbating the rash. Calamine should not be used on the skin of very young children (under 6 months of age). You should also avoid using creams and ointments that contain mineral oil or petroleum products (such as petroleum jelly).
   • If you are worried that your child might scratch the rash, ask your pediatrician about other ways to relieve itching.

Part 2 of 2: Miliaria Symptoms and Medical Treatment

1. 1 Recognize the symptoms of prickly heat. Check your baby's skin for small red bumps or blisters. You may notice how your child scratches these itchy problem areas. Pay special attention to the skin underneath your baby's clothing, the areas where skin wrinkles (around the neck and armpits), and in the groin, chest, and shoulders.
   • Prickly heat (also called prickly heat or climatic hyperhidrosis) can occur suddenly because sweat glands are blocked, causing sweat to linger under the surface of the skin.
2. 2 Find out if the child is hot. Make sure that the child is not overly worn and that it is loose.If you do not know whether the child is comfortable or not, you can recognize that the clothes are too warm by the following signs:
   • the baby's head and neck are wet and covered with sweat;
   • the child has a red face;
   • the child breathes too often (more than 30-50 breaths per minute if he is less than six months old, and more than 25-30 breaths if his age is from 6 to 12 months);
   • the child is annoyed with something, he cries and tosses and turns.
3. 3 See a doctor if necessary. Most cases of prickly heat go away on their own and do not need medical attention. If, within 24 hours, the child does not feel better or the rash gets worse, hurts, or pus starts to flow, and the child develops a fever, call the pediatrician immediately. Perhaps this rash is not prickly heat at all.
   • In the meantime, do not apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or medicated anti-itch lotion to your child's skin. This should only be done with the permission of your doctor.
4. 4 Get a physical exam. The doctor will check the rash for signs of infection and determine if it is prickly heat. As a rule, analyzes or studies are not needed for this. If the pediatrician is unsure of the diagnosis, they will be able to refer you to a dermatologist.
   • The doctor will ask you if you are giving your child any medications, as prickly heat can be a side effect of certain medications. For example, prickly heat is a common symptom of clonidine intake.
5. 5 Follow your doctor's directions for treatment. If your doctor diagnoses prickly heat, he or she may advise you to chill and wipe your baby regularly. In rare cases, your doctor may prescribe a skin cream or lotion to treat prickly heat. They are usually prescribed only in very severe cases of prickly heat.
   • These lotions and ointments usually contain antihistamines or mild corticosteroids that can help reduce inflammation.