BABY AND CHILDHOOD SKIN DISORDERS: HEAT RASH
Heat rash is also known as prickly heat, or the technical word miliaria. It simply means that the tiny ducts from the sweat glands located in the upper skin layers have become blocked. So, fluid disperses into the surrounding tissues, forming raised, tender, irritable and itchy pimples and blisters. These may become infected and turn pussy.
It is commonest where there are the most sweat glands, which means the upper parts of the body, upper parts of the limbs, shoulders, neck and face. It is more common in summer and in towns situated in normally hot areas. It commonly follows if adhesive plaster has been applied to the skin. It follows sunburn in some children, and is a common aftermath from previous skin irritations (such as dermatitis).
Plenty of exposure to the sunshine is claimed to help many, although in others it may aggravate it. It's largely a case of trial and error, and assessing the results in an individual case.
Treatment
Ideally, the factors causing the rash should be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, hot temperatures with high humidity are not the ideal. A cool environment is best. Air-conditioning for susceptible subjects is the ideal, though not always possible. Cool baths help. Avoid excessive use of hot clothing. Go easy on the use of soaps, for the ingredients are often very irritating to skin which is already extremely sensitive. Wool and certain materials directly against the skin may aggravate.
The frequent application of cooling lotions may help. This simple recipe is worth trying: Ask the chemist to make up 100 millilitres of a lotion with menthol (1 part), phenol (2 parts), glycerin (15 parts) and alcohol (35 per cent) made up to 240 parts. Apply some to the areas of irritation every few hours. Simple dusting powder made from talc and powdered starch are often effective, again applied frequently.
If these measures do not effect a fairly quick cure, see the doctor. There are bound to be various other prescriptions in the doctor's little black bag, and at least one of these may be dramatically effective. As a last resort, steroid creams may be used for a short course. This is a very effective anti-inflammatory agent, and can often conquer skin rashes within a few days; often there will be a marked improvement within 24 hours. But use these creams on infants and children only with medical advice and for the shortest time possible that gives a beneficial result.
*132\87\2*
General Health
- The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
- Read the product information leaflet provided with the product before using it.
Information that this website contains are general information only and are not intended as a replacement for advise and recommendations made by your medical practitioner. We do not make any warranty or represent the accuracy of information supplied herein. We reserve the right to omit portions, correct errors or withdraw an entire page on this website as we see fit without prior notice.
Information about a certain drug, its uses, recommended dosages and side effects do not serve as a substitute to a prescription or information relayed to you by a licensed medical practitioner. These materials are just a general overview about the product. Likewise, we do not endorse use of any drug found on this site.
Use of this site is at your sole risk. We disclaim responsibility for reliance you place upon the information that we posted on this site. Always seek medical advice from a professional healthcare and discuss thoroughly your intention of using any of the medicine that is offered in this website.
|
