How to Get Rid of Heat Rash

The quickest way to get rid of heat rash is to cool down and let your skin breathe. Most heat rash fades on its own within a few days once the skin stops sweating heavily. Getting out of the heat, wearing loose clothing and keeping the area dry do most of the work; soothing products only help along the way.

What heat rash is

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat or miliaria, happens when sweat ducts become blocked and sweat seeps into the surrounding skin instead of reaching the surface. It turns up in hot, humid weather, during exercise, under tight clothing or dressings, and wherever skin rubs against skin.

Anyone can get it. Babies are especially prone because their sweat glands are still developing, while adults tend to notice it on the neck, chest and back, under the breasts, in the armpits and groin, and in the creases of the elbows.

Recognising the rash

There are a few forms, depending on how deep in the skin the blockage sits:

Steps to clear it

1. Cool down. Move to shade, an air-conditioned room or somewhere with a fan. Once sweating stops, the blocked ducts get a chance to clear.
2. Take a cool shower or bath. Use a gentle, fragrance-free wash, then let the skin air-dry or pat it with a soft towel.
3. Loosen up. Swap tight or synthetic clothes for loose cotton or linen, and change out of damp kit soon after exercise.
4. Skip heavy creams. Thick ointments and oily products can block pores further. For itch, calamine lotion is a long-standing, simple option.
5. Hands off. Scratching can break the skin and let infection in. Keep nails short and reach for a cool compress when the itch flares.
6. Sleep cool. A fan, light bedding and breathable nightwear help the skin recover overnight.

A pharmacist can recommend products for itching and tell you whether something you are considering is suitable for your skin or for a child.

Heat rash or something else?

Several warm-weather skin complaints look alike at first glance:

• Sunburn covers sun-exposed skin evenly and feels hot and tender rather than bumpy; the guide to soothing sunburn covers it.
• Razor bumps appear only where you shave and centre on hair follicles; see how to get rid of razor bumps.
• Polymorphic light eruption is an itchy reaction to sunlight that tends to show up in spring or early summer on skin newly exposed after winter.
• Hives are raised welts that can move around the body and come and go within hours.

If you are unsure what you are looking at, a pharmacist is a sensible first stop.

Preventing heat rash

• During hot spells, plan exercise and outdoor jobs for the cooler ends of the day.
• Choose loose, light clothing, and moisture-wicking fabrics for sport.
• Shower after heavy sweating and dry skin folds thoroughly.
• If thick sunscreen seems to set off bumps, try a lighter lotion or gel; the sunscreen guide runs through the different formats.
• Keep bedrooms ventilated and avoid piling on blankets.
• Dress babies for the temperature of the room rather than bundling them up.

Common questions

How long does heat rash last?

Mild heat rash usually settles within a few days once the skin is kept cool and dry. It can return whenever you overheat again.

Is heat rash contagious?

No. It comes from blocked sweat ducts rather than an infection, so it cannot be passed to anyone else.

Can adults get heat rash?

Yes. Adults who sweat a lot, work in hot places, train hard, spend long periods in bed or wear tight clothing are more likely to get it.

When to see a doctor

See a GP or pharmacist if the rash has not improved after a few days of keeping cool, keeps coming back, or shows signs of infection such as increasing pain, swelling, warmth, pus or crusting. Get medical help promptly if a rash comes with fever, chills or feeling generally unwell, or if a baby with a rash seems unwell, feverish or unusually drowsy. Heavy sweating together with dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion or fainting can signal heat exhaustion or heatstroke and needs urgent attention.