Heat Rash

Profuse sweating is not uncommon during the sweltering, humid months of summer in Georgia. Heat rash is a common type of rash that many people develop during these hot months, caused by the pores becoming blocked so that sweat cannot escape. Children and adults both commonly develop this skin rash on parts of their bodies that experience friction, such as the inner thighs, under the arms, necks, and other places where the skin folds.

In children, the most common form of heat rash is Miliaria Crystallina. It presents itself with small, clear or white bumps filled with fluid on the surface of the skin. These bumps are actually filled with sweat, and generally burst when they are touched. Miliaria Crystallina is not painful and does not cause itching, and it tends to go away quickly once the skin cools down.

Miliaria Rubra, or “prickly heat”, is the most common form of heat rash in adults. Prickly heat causes mild to moderate discomfort because it occurs deeper in the epidermis than miliaria crystalline. It gets its common name, Prickly Heat, from the fact that the skin tends to feel prickly sensations. There are often red bumps on the skin, a lack of sweat in the affected area, and inflammation and soreness are common due to the fact that the sweat cannot escape the pores in the skin.

Heat rash occurs when the skin cannot expel sweat, and it is especially common during warm months or during intense exercise. However, heat rash can occur during cold temperatures if the clothes that you are wearing lead to overheating of the skin.

While heat rash is rarely a serious condition, it can become a nuisance when it recurs frequently. At Medical Dermatology Specialists in Atlanta, Dr. Jamie Weisman and her dedicated staff are here to help you find relief from heat rash. If you experience frequent occurrences of heat rash, your heat rash is painful, or you are worried that there are serious underlying symptoms, please contact our dermatology practice today. We are here to help you with the most personalized care for your skin.