How to Diagnose a Heat Rash

Heat rash is a common condition that affects people of all ages. You usually find the rash in areas covered by clothes or where skin overlaps. Heat rash generally clears up by itself after a few days. However, if you don't treat heat rash, it can become severe and cause additional conditions.

Instructions

1. Look for bumps on the back or stomach, under the arms, around the groin or under the breasts during hot, humid days. Heat rash often causes these bumps. You can also get heat rash during cold weather if you are over dressed and your skin is unable to cool. Hats can cause heat rash on the head.

2. Check to see if you're perspiring. Sweating heavily can cause the skin pores to clog, causing red bumps. When these bumps burst, they sting or feel prickly. You can usually feel small amounts of moisture when the bumps burst. Try not to itch the rash, as this further irritates the skin.

3. Clear the rash by cooling and drying the skin. One of the easiest ways to diagnose whether a rash is heat rash is to cool the skin and let it dry thoroughly. The rash should begin to clear quickly.

4. Stop worrying--heat rash doesn't worsen once you've treated it, and it doesn't spread to other areas of the skin, especially if you keep your skin cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress in light, loose clothing on hot and humid days. Apply deodorant under the breasts and around the inner thighs to help reduce the incidence of heat rash in the summer.

• Dress children in loose clothing and keep skin folds clean and cool.