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There are a hundred and one reasons to love summer. For your kids most especially, it's one of the best times of the year. School's out and the fun begins! The weather is perfect for outdoor activities and travelling to local destinations. However, it can easily become a nightmare when prickly heat attacks.
What exactly is prickly heat?
Also known as sweat rash or heat rash, prickly heat or bungang-araw is a skin condition most commonly experienced during summer. In medical terms, it is called miliaria rubra. This condition occurs due to the blockage and inflammation of sweat ducts.
Kids are prone to this skin condition because they are very active and they tend to sweat a lot especially during the hot, humid months. When your child sweats, the dead skin cells and bacteria collect in his sweat glands, which eventually causes blockage. The excess sweat gets trapped in the tiny swollen pockets beneath the skin. When the trapped sweat is released, it leads to prickling sensation on the skin. That is where the skin condition got its name.
What are the symptoms?
You know your child has prickly heat when you see red rashes with small red spots on his face, neck, back, armpits, chest, groin, crooks of elbows and knees, and under the breasts—basically, any parts of the body with excessive sweat. The symptoms are usually worse in areas that are covered with clothes because the clothing can make your child sweat more. Your child may complain of an irritating itch, a stinging or prickling sensation on his skin, and sometimes mild swelling.
A few days after your child has been exposed to hot temperature, the symptoms will begin to appear. Sometimes, however, it takes several weeks or months for them to occur.
So, who gets prickly heat?
Anyone can get prickly heat, especially those who live in tropical countries. However, kids and infants suffer the most since their sweat glands are not fully developed yet.
There are also some things you might be doing that can aggravate it, like letting your child wear tight clothing made from materials that trap heat like polyester and nylon. Letting your child play outside without protection from the sun can also cause prickly heat.
How should you treat it?
Sweat rash is not particularly a serious condition. It usually heals and disappears on its own but it can cause your kids to feel restless and have difficulty sleeping, since it's very uncomfortable. One of the few things you can do to help prevent it is to make sure your child drinks enough water to keep him cool. You can also make sure he takes a cool bath when the weather is hot, or that he stays in a well-ventilated room.
If your child already has prickly heat, make sure you limit sun exposure so the rashes don't get worse. If he needs to go outside, apply sun protection, and let him wear loose clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton.
You can also soothe and protect your child's skin using Fissan Prickly Heat Powder—it has hydrolyzed milk protein that nourishes his skin, and talc that has better moisture absorption to keep your child protected from prickly heat. Fissan Prickly Heat Powder effectively works with its triple relief action against the irritating symptoms of bungang-araw. Just apply the powder liberally on your child's skin to relieve itchiness and keep him protected from sweat.
This summer, don't let prickly heat ruin the fun. Just remember to keep yourself cool, and get ready for some summer action. Got some tips to prevent prickly heat? Share them here!
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