<p>Prickly heat - also called heat rash - is a condition familiar to most parents, who typically agonise over it as soon as summer sets in. Up to 40 percent of infants suffer from prickly heat. In babies, it is a result of blocked sweat glands. Since the blocked skin pores can’t clear the sweat, it results in heat rash, which causes itching or prickling of the skin. <br /><br />Symptoms <br /><br /></p>.<p>Skin breaking out into tiny red bump-like eruptions, which usually occurs around the baby’s neck, back, upper chest, under the arms, or near the edges of the nappy or underwear.<br /><br />The rash sometimes look like tiny blisters and can cause irritation and itchy sensations.<br />A red patch develops on the babies skin in the affected areas.<br /> A baby may have an increased body temperature and may fuss or cry because of the irritating sensation.<br /><br />Dealing with it<br /><br />The best way to treat prickly heat is by keeping the skin cool and dry.Dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight cotton clothing. <br /><br />Bathe your baby in lukewarm water and gently cleanse the skin using a mild soap. Use a herbal prickly heat baby powder that provides a cooling relief and keeps the baby’s skin dry.<br /><br />Trim your baby’s fingernails and prevent him/her from scratching the itchy rash, which may lead to infections.<br /><br />Khus grass is an excellent antiperspirant and helps keep the skin cool and fresh all day.<br />Neem is anti-bacterial and speeds up the skin’s healing, useful in treatment of infections and rashes.<br /><br />Consult a doctor if the condition aggravates. <br /><br /><em>(The author is in-charge, scientific publications, The Himalaya Drug Company)</em><br /></p>
<p>Prickly heat - also called heat rash - is a condition familiar to most parents, who typically agonise over it as soon as summer sets in. Up to 40 percent of infants suffer from prickly heat. In babies, it is a result of blocked sweat glands. Since the blocked skin pores can’t clear the sweat, it results in heat rash, which causes itching or prickling of the skin. <br /><br />Symptoms <br /><br /></p>.<p>Skin breaking out into tiny red bump-like eruptions, which usually occurs around the baby’s neck, back, upper chest, under the arms, or near the edges of the nappy or underwear.<br /><br />The rash sometimes look like tiny blisters and can cause irritation and itchy sensations.<br />A red patch develops on the babies skin in the affected areas.<br /> A baby may have an increased body temperature and may fuss or cry because of the irritating sensation.<br /><br />Dealing with it<br /><br />The best way to treat prickly heat is by keeping the skin cool and dry.Dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight cotton clothing. <br /><br />Bathe your baby in lukewarm water and gently cleanse the skin using a mild soap. Use a herbal prickly heat baby powder that provides a cooling relief and keeps the baby’s skin dry.<br /><br />Trim your baby’s fingernails and prevent him/her from scratching the itchy rash, which may lead to infections.<br /><br />Khus grass is an excellent antiperspirant and helps keep the skin cool and fresh all day.<br />Neem is anti-bacterial and speeds up the skin’s healing, useful in treatment of infections and rashes.<br /><br />Consult a doctor if the condition aggravates. <br /><br /><em>(The author is in-charge, scientific publications, The Himalaya Drug Company)</em><br /></p>
