Shingles

Every parent is concerned about the health of their children. Unfortunately, infants, toddlers, and children are susceptible to getting many more infections than adults due to their underdeveloped bodies and immune systems. One minor health issue that infants and young children are afflicted with more often than adults is prickly heat rash.

What:

Prickly heat rash, or miliaria rubra is a skin disease that occurs when pores of sweat glands get clogged with dead skin or bacteria. Infants and children have underdeveloped sweat glands so they are more likely to suffer from this skin condition.

Identification:

Prickly heat rash looks tiny red or pink bumps, but it may also include blisters. It is often confused with chicken pox, the rash from the chicken pox vaccine, and the rash associated with infected hair follicles. Symptoms are often similar to shingles and scabies. All of these similar conditions may make identifying prickly heat rash difficult for parents.

Where:

Prickly heat rash is usually found on areas of the body that easily get overheated or are rubbed by clothing. The forehead (under a hat), upper back and chest, neck, arms, and body folds, including under breasts and scrotum are the most popular areas.

When:

Although prickly heat rash usually occurs during hot and humid weather, as found in the tropics where the rash is very prevalent, the condition can also be found in babies who have been overheated due to overdressing. Prickly heat rash can also result from having a fever, but it is important to note that the reverse is not true. (Prickly heat rash does not cause a fever. This fact is important for diagnosis.)

Prevention:

Some suggested methods for prevention of prickly heat rash are practical while others may not be. Wearing light clothing (especially on infants and young children), taking extra baths or showers, and using air conditioning are measures most people are able to incorporate into their lives without undergoing significant lifestyle changes. However, not participating in any activities that cause sweating and staying out of hot and humid weather may not be options that are realistic for many people unless they already have prickly heat rash.

Treatment:

The prevention methods listed above are also part of the healing measures that can be taken to ensure prickly heat rash does not worsen. There are also several types of lotions and creams that may be used to treat the condition, including salicylic acid, calamine, menthol, or camphor based creams, and topical creams that contain steroids. If an infection is present, an antibiotic may also be prescribed.

Although prickly heat rash is rarely severe, and typically disappears after 2 to 3 days, parents should be sure to take their children to the pediatrician the first time they experience miliaria rubra. Doctors can positively diagnose the condition and eliminate any other possible illnesses. Identification and appropriate treatment will also help to rid the child of the symptoms quickly.

Shingles |