Some of the remedies for treating baby heat rash includes cold compress, oatmeal, sandalwood powder, fuller earth powder, neem leaves, cucumber, tea tree oil, olive oil, calendula, chamomile, coriander, to name a few.

What is Baby Heat Rash?

Baby Heat rash or prickly heat is a nightmare for babies in the summer months. It mostly affects people who live in hot and humid climates which causes excessive sweating and blocks the sweat glands. When they subsequently burst open it irritates the skin and causes prickly heat or heat rashes. It can also lead to bacterial infections.

What does a heat rash look like?

A heat rash generally appears like a tiny bump that is surrounded by red skin. A heat rash can be itchy but it is not painful. In babies, a heat rash develops on the armpits, neck, groin and elbow creases. Your child will not suffer from fever or show any signs of illness even if he/she develops a heat rash. There are certain factors that may be responsible for a heat rash. These are:

• Hot or humid weather
• Dressing the baby in a fabric that is too heavy for the weather.
• Oils, ointments or thick creams that block the sweat ducts.
• Immature sweat ducts
• Sleeping under many blankets

There are three types of heat rashes, which are as listed below:

Miliaria crystallina

This one involves the glands that are close to the surface of the skin. This may lead to cleared coloured bumps instead of the usual red ones.

Miliaria rubra

This type of rash develops deep in the skin and are often itchy. These are the usual red coloured ones.

Miliaria profunda

Although rare but these are the severe form of heat rash that involves the sweat glands that are deep down. This may lead to flesh coloured lesions that give the appearance of goose bumps.

Heat Rash in Infants: Symptoms and Causes

Causes

There are no underlying causes for baby heat rash. however, it is important to note that if your baby tends to sweat a lot, then he/she might be susceptible to this baby heat rash. excessive sweating happens due to constricted clothing, or the climatic conditions of your place. this excessive sweating leads to clogging of the pores, which, in turn, leads to baby heat rash.

Symptoms

Baby heat rash can appear anywhere in the baby’s body but is usually seen most to affect the feet, back, neck, groin, arms, hands, armpits, upper chest and abdomen, basically areas which are prone to sweat accumulation. common symptoms include-

• stinging or prickling sensation- if your baby feels this sensation all the time, then maybe it is due to the rash.
• mild inflammation- if you see mild inflammation on your baby’s skin, then it could be a symptom of heat rash on babies.
• small red bumps or a rash that itch- this is self-explanatory. in extreme cases they may swell up and become puss filled and painful but this is rare.

Typically heat rashes go away naturally as the weather breaks. when it strikes your baby in the middle of the humid summer the first thing you need to do is to keep his or her body cool. in the afternoons keep your baby in the air-conditioned room if possible or give him or her frequent wipes with cool water to ease the prickly sensation. but be careful that your baby doesn’t catch a cold.

Read more: Causes and Symptoms of Heat Rash in Babies

Coconut oil for heat rash

Coconut oil works the best not only for skin rashes but for all kinds of skin issues, including acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, dermatitis etc. For babies, virgin coconut oil is the safest option to cure the issue of skin rashes on their delicate skin. The antioxidant compounds of coconut oil help in treating the rashes quickly, thus facilitating rapid healing. But it is to be kept in mind that you must only make use of coconut oil that is pure, organic and more importantly fresh. Coconut oil does not lead to any skin allergies and neither does it clog the pores, which is the case with other mineral oils. One can easily find the increasing use of coconut oil in baby skincare products like lotions, moisturizers and soaps etc.

Alternatively you can try any of the below Heat Rash Home Remedies to ease the discomfort and get rid of heat rashes in your baby:

15 Home Remedies for Baby Heat Rash

Oatmeal for baby heat rash

Oatmeal is a popular treatment for heat rashes due to its soothing, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties. It gives your baby instant relief from the inflammation and itching caused by heat rashes. Add a cup of finely ground oatmeal to your baby’s bath filled with cool water stir well till the color turns milky then let your baby soak in this bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat dry with a soft towel (do not rub). Do this twice daily for a week to get relief

Read more: Health Benefits of Oat Milk for Children

Cold Compress

For providing instant relief from the itchiness and inflammation you can apply a cold compress to the affected areas on your baby’s body. Wrapping few pieces of ice in a thick dishcloth and dabbed on the affected parts can provide instant relief. Alternatively you can soak a cotton cloth in cold water, wring out the excess water and place it on the rashes for few minutes to provide relief from the inflammation and itchiness to your baby.

Sandalwood Powder, an effective remedy for baby heat rash

Sandalwood is famous for its soothing and healing properties and is known to effectively eliminate baby heat rash symptoms. It also helps to cool down your baby’s body temperature, which is essential for quick recovery. You can make a paste of sandalwood powder with rosewater and apply this mixture to the affected areas on your baby’s body. Let it dry naturally and wash off with cool water. Repeat twice daily for a week. Sandalwood powder can also be used in place of your baby’s regular talcum after baths to provide relief.

Fuller’s Earth

Make a paste of five tablespoons of fuller’s earth with two to three tablespoons of rose water. Apply this paste directly onto the affected parts and allow it to dry on its own. Once it is dry wipe off gently with cool water. Do this once daily for a week.

Margosa or Neem Leaves for heat rashes in infants 

Neem leaves are very famous for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem leaves can be used in various ways to treat your baby’s heat rashes. You can make a paste of the leaves and apply the paste onto the affected skin. Allow it to dry on its own. Rinse off with cool water. Alternately you can simmer a handful of neem leaves in water and cool the solution. Soak a soft cotton cloth in the solution and apply on your baby’s rashes for relief. You can also infuse this solution into your baby’s bath water to provide relief from prickly heat rashes.

Is Aloe Vera good for baby heat rash?

Aloe vera is famous for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. It is an excellent home remedy to treat heat rashes and is mild enough to be used on your baby’s delicate skin. Fresh aloe vera gel applied directly onto the affected areas before the baby’s bath provides great relief.

Read more: Health Benefits of Aloe Vera for Kids

Cucumbers

Cucumbers have a cooling and soothing effect that helps cool the affected skin of your baby. It can also provide relief from the annoying itching which irritates your baby and makes him or her cranky. Cucumber slices can be applied directly on the affected parts of your baby’s skin and washed off with cool water. Alternately you can also apply cucumber pulp to the affected areas few minutes prior to your baby’s bath to cool down the skin and lessen the itching.

Read more: Health Benefits of Cucumbers for Babies

Honey

Honey is known as an  effective cure for heat rashes on the face and neck. You can simply apply a very small amount of honey onto the affected areas on your baby’s face and neck before his or her bath to treat heat rash in a short time.

Tea Tree Oil

It is highly effective in curing heat rashes. It also helps to stop inflammation of the skin due to its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply the oil onto the affected parts on your baby’s body with a soft cotton ball daily till the rashes disappear.

Gram Flour

Using gram flour is one of the greatest home remedies for treating heat rashes in babies. For instant results make a paste of gram flour with water and apply on the affected parts of your baby’s body and let it dry. Wash off with your baby’s bath. Try this remedy for instant results without any side effects.

Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most effective home remedies to treat heat rashes in babies. It can act as an effective skin moisturizer, facilitate healing of the irritated skin, as well as promote skin renewal because of its abundant supply of vitamin E and anti-oxidants. It also helps sooth your baby’s skin and prevents itchiness.

Read more: 12 benefits of Using Olive Oil for Baby Hair

Chamomile

Chamomile can help a lot in reducing inflammation, soothing the skin, relieving itching, and promoting skin healing. It has powerful anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties which can be greatly beneficial in treating heat rashes on your baby. Create an essential oil by diluting 2 drops of chamomile in two teaspoons of coconut oil or any other type of carrier oil and apply this to the affected parts daily till the rashes disappear.

Read more: Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Children

Calendula

Calendula ointments or lotions are a great source of relief for heat rashes for your baby. Alternately you can try adding few drops of calendula oil to your baby’s bath water. In case these do not work you can also try applying calendula oil directly onto the affected parts and allow it to stay for 2-3 hours.

Coriander

Make a paste of grounded coriander leaves and apply to the infected parts of your baby’s body and allow it to stay for 30 minutes. Rinse off with the baby’s bath. Apply this method one or twice daily for 2 – 3 days to see results.

Read more: Health Benefits of Coriander for Children

Restrict Soap

It is best to restrict the use of soap to clean the rashes as they may cause further irritation and itchiness. Use tepid or warm to room temperature water to clean the dry the affected areas properly. Do not rub strongly and instead pat dry the water off. Keep check on the sweat accumulation on your baby’s body and use wet wipes or cool cotton cloths to wipe away the sweat and dry the area.

Prevention

• Keep your baby in a cool room. You can switch on the fan or air-conditioner but make sure that you do not set the temperature that is way too cool for your baby.
• If your little one has started to walk around, make sure that he/she slows down from time to time so as to keep the sweating in check.
• Do not step outdoors in case it is too hot or humid. Even if you do, you must cover your baby’s head or make use of an umbrella.
• Your bedcover or bedsheets should not be too heavy as this can irritate his/her skin. A simple cotton bed linen would be preferred.
• Ensure that your baby is hydrated and gets enough fluids so as to prevent dehydration.
• Make use of a soft and cool washcloth to cool down the affected areas.
• Do not keep your baby in laps for extended period of time as this may also make the baby feel sweaty.

Precautions

There is a list of certain do’s and don’ts that you must keep in mind when your baby develops a heat rash. These are as listed below:

Do’s

• Get your child into an area that is cooler (i.e. with low temperature).
• You can switch on the fan that can help to cool your child.
• Make use of a cool cloth on the skin that can help to remove sweat and body oils.
• Remove any extra clothes your child is wearing. Do not overdress your child.

Don’ts

• Do not make use of any oils, lotions or ointments as this can worsen the heat rashes.
• Do not dress your child in a fabric that is too heavy for the weather. Make use of breathable fabric like cotton.

When to call a doctor?

A heat rash will generally disappear in a few days. But in case the heat rash gets worse and does not show any signs of improvement, you must consult your paediatrician. There are a number of signs, such as:

• Fever
• Pus from the lesions
• Blisters
• Pain or swelling
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin or armpit.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is to keep your baby as free from sweat accumulation as possible. Keep the room where the baby spends most of his or her time well ventilated, cool and comfortable. Increase the air circulation so that it helps in keeping the skin dry and cool as much as possible. In case, the home remedies do not prove effective and your baby’s heat rashes are interrupting with his or her sleep or mood then it is best to take them to a doctor who can prescribe topical ointments which might provide relief.