After a brief winter, North India is all set to brave a hot summer. Rising temperatures often trigger several skin problems, including heat rash, one of the most common. Health experts say rising heat and humidity can block sweat ducts, leading to irritation and small bumps on the skin.. “Heat rash or prickly heat or miliaria is a condition that arises when the sweat gets stagnant under the skin because of the blocked sweat ducts. Sweat is produced in excess during a very hot and humid climate as a way of making the body cool,” Dr Prabhat Ranjan Sinha, Senior Consultant- Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, explained.. Dr Sinha further emphasised that heat rash commonly appears in areas where sweat collects or where skin folds occur, such as the neck, chest, back, underarms and groin.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. “Had on tight clothes, perspiration, stickiness and rubbing of skin and material may further plug in the sweat holes and exacerbate the situation,” he said, adding that babies, outdoor workers and people exposed to prolonged heat are particularly vulnerable.. Heat rash or hives?. Dr Singh also stressed that heat rash should not be confused with allergic reactions such as hives. Unlike hives, heat rash is not contagious. “Heat rash is not contagious. It evolves as a result of blocked ducts of perspiration, over-sweating and not infection or person-to-person transmission,” he said.. He explained that heat rash typically appears as tiny red or clear bumps accompanied by a prickly or stinging sensation, especially in sweat-prone areas like the neck, chest or underarms.. “Hives, on the contrary, are swollen bumps that are raised and come out unexpectedly as a result of an allergic reaction or as a response to the immune system. They are normally large, pale in the middle, highly itchy and may be located anywhere on the body. Hives are also able to move across the skin, change shape and usually clear in a few hours, unlike heat rash,” he added.. Story continues below this ad. With Delhi experiencing one of its hottest March months in decades, Dr Sinha advised people to limit exposure to heat and keep their skin cool and dry. “Under extreme temperatures, it is necessary to avoid excessive skin sweating and maintain the coolness and dryness of the skin in order to prevent heat rash. It is not advisable to spend long periods in direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, when temperatures may be at their highest. Being in a well-ventilated or a/c climate will contribute to the decrease of sweat, and the obstruction of sweat ducts will not occur,” he explained.. He also recommended regular cool or lukewarm showers to keep the skin clean and cool.. Foods to prevent heat rash. Hydration and diet can also play an important role in preventing heat-related skin problems. Dr Sinha sugges
