When Michele Ramian's son was one year old, her family
traveled to the Dominican Republic for small R&D. "He developed a rash
from heat on day one and eventually we had to stay out of heat for most of the
vacation," says Remain.
What causes a baby's rash?
Ramine, who is also a clinical associate professor at the
Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, says that although staying at home was
also good sun protection, it wasn't really what she was planning for a tropical
vacation. But rash is extremely common in infants, and anything that prevents
the skin from breathing - being exposed to excessive heat and moisture to
over-dressing and shaking too many layers to apply too much cream - can cause
the condition. Although children and older adults can experience a rash (also
called a milaria), Remain says this is mostly common in newborns because their
sweat glands are not fully mature.
How does heat rash look like?
Parents are often worried when they first experience a rash
from heat because it can look quite red and pesky if the sweat glands are
completely blocked, but they can also be mild and present with small, clear
bumps. "It can look like little sweat drops under the skin," says
Julia Orkin, a pediatrician at the Toronto Children's Hospital, and chair of
the Pediatric Community Committee in Canada. "These bumps usually appear
in areas where babies sweat the most, like Forehead, neck, Shoulders and chest.
"You can know about rash from other skin conditions because it's always
related to heat or sweating, Remain adds. Often, rash is the only symptom, but
if your baby has a prickly brown (a common type of rash), the skin may also be
red and itchy because it's blocked. Deeper in the sweat glands and skin around
the pores is more irritating.
When to contact your doctor
"Rash from fever is a relatively benign condition that
should never make the baby feel unwell," says Ramine. However, in rare
cases it may develop into more serious bacterial infection. You should contact
your doctor if your baby is in pain, fever, or has a bumpy discharge. In most
cases, you can treat heat bloom at home and it will become clear within a few
days. If it has not exploded or if you are worried about it, check with your
doctor
How to deal with baby rash?
1. Get out of the fire
Heat and humidity can make the rash worse, so lower the
temperature in a notch or two or put your baby in a room with a fan or air
conditioning to help calm down.
2. Draw a bath
Give your baby a lukewarm bath. It should be a
"fridge" but will still be comfortable for your child. Ramine
recommends skipping the soap and simply using water to avoid pore obstruction.
Let your baby dry in the air instead of rubbing the skin with a towel.
3. Dress in light clothing
Whenever possible, allow your baby to go au naturel for a
while and wear lightweight and relaxed clothing. "Natural fibers, such as
cotton and hemp, are usually very light and breathable," says Ramine.
4. Skip the cream
While it may be tempting to apply soothing cream to your
baby's skin, it's better to resist the urge. Cool compresses can help relieve
the itch associated with prickly heat, but you should check with your doctor
before applying lotions and lotions to the affected areas.
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