Heat Rash

1. Heat Rash Slideshow
2. Summer Skin Hazards Pictures
3. Dehydration Tips Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Heat Rash Overview
• Heat Rash Types (Miliaria)
• Heat Rash Risks
• Heat Rash Causes
• Heat Rash Symptoms
• Heat Rash Pictures
• Heat Rash Diagnosis
• Heat Rash Treatment
• Heat Rash Home Remedies
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Conditions That Are Not Heat Rash
• Heat Rash Prevention
• Factors that Aggravate Heat Rash
• Heat Rash Complications
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Heat Rash from Healthwise
• Pictures of Heat Rash - Slideshow
• Pictures of Summer Skin Hazards - Slideshow
• Pictures of Dehydration Tips - Slideshow
• Viewer Comments: Heat Rash - Symptoms
• Viewer Comments: Heat Rash - Describe Your Experience

Heat rash is the generic group name for a number of skin problems that arise or worsen because of heat exposure or overheating. Although most commonly found in babies, it can still occur in all age groups. Common names for heat rash include prickly heat or miliaria. Other heat rashes include heat urticaria (hives) and sweat retention. Heat rash is prevalent in the summer months and particularly in humid climates. The condition usually is self-limited and resolves in hours to a few days without treatment. Rarely, it may be more severe requiring professional medical care.

Miliaria is the medical term for the heat related skin condition where tiny, pinpoint, pink to clear bumps form over a body area like the face or neck. It is caused when small sweat particles are trapped in the skin due to blocked pores. This trapping of sweat may cause inflammation and itching around the sweat pores. Miliaria is very common in infants but may also occur in adults. This condition occurs especially after repeated episodes of sweating in a hot, humid environment. Miliaria may look like small clear blisters or like gooseflesh.

There are three types of miliaria:

1. clear (miliaria crystalline) - mildest form, usually the blisters aren't itchy or painful;
2. red (miliaria rubra) - occurring deeper in the outer skin layer, itchy with red bumps, prickly heat found in infants and adults;
3. deep (miliaria profunda) - least common form, usually adults after repeated events of heat rash, flesh colored lesions.

Anyone can develop heat rash especially when in the certain environments. Some individuals are more prone to heat rash including:

• Babies (infants)
• Children under age 4
• Athletes or people who exercise in hot environments
• Obese or overweight persons
• Bedridden and non-ambulatory patients
• Individuals with congenital absence or decreased sweating
• Military troops

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Dehydration in Children Dehydration in children can result from not drinking enough liquids, vomiting, diarrhea, or combination of these conditions. Causes of dehydration in children i...learn more >>

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