Heat rash in babies and children

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Heat rash manifests as small patches of acne in skin folds. It's caused by overheating, so the best way to prevent heat rash is to keep your baby from overheating. If your child is too hot, take steps to cool him down immediately - for example, by removing his clothes and giving him a warm bath or a wet towel.

1. What is heat rash in babies and children?

Heat rash is a skin damage condition when sweat glands are blocked, blocking the pores too much so that sweat cannot escape. Heat rash is more common in babies because they have smaller pores than adults.
Heat rash also known as heat rash, summer heat rash or milia, heat rash looks like small patches of acne or sometimes tiny blisters. The bumps may be red.
Common sites for heat rash include:
Back of the neck Chest Areas that rub more against clothing, including the diaper area (especially where the diaper rubs against the waistline) On the scalp or forehead if wearing a hat Skin folds, such as the neck, groin, armpits, elbows, and knees.

2. What causes heat rash in babies and children?

In any case, if a child sweats from overheating, it can cause heat rash, such as:
Hot and humid weather Children wear too many layers of clothing, even in winter Children have a fever Too much activity

3. Is heat rash in babies and children dangerous?

No, but it is a sign that your baby is wearing too warm and is too hot, which can lead to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Dressing babies too warmly to sleep can also increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

4. Does heat rash in babies cause pain?

No, heat rash is not usually painful, but when it does, it can cause a child to itch. The rash may be tender to the touch. Keep your child's fingernails short so he doesn't scratch himself if the rash starts to itch. Or you can let your child use a long-sleeved shirt with a small flap that folds over his arm so that he does not scratch himself when he sleeps.

5. Is heat rash contagious?

No, heat rash is not contagious.

6. Treatment of heat rash in infants and children

You need to take the following steps immediately to cool down your child:
Move the child to an air-conditioned room or a shady place. Undress the child, or wear loose, airy clothes. Apply cool water to the skin, bathe the child, or apply a cool or wet washcloth to the skin. After bathing the baby, let the baby's skin dry instead of rubbing the baby with a towel. Note: Unless directed by your doctor, do not arbitrarily use ointments or creams on the rash area.

7. Preventing heat rash in children?

The best way to prevent heat rash is to keep your child from overheating.
Check your child often, especially in hot weather, to see if the child's temperature is too high. If the child is sweating too much and is hot, it means that the child is wearing too many clothes or the temperature is too high. On hot days, you should keep your child in an air-conditioned space, or find cool, shady or windy places to play outside. You need to make sure your baby is drinking enough water by regularly breast-feeding or formula-feeding. Give your toddler or young child plenty of water to drink to help them get the amount of water they need. (Do not give water to children under 6 months unless directed by a doctor.) Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothes when it's warm and not too tight in winter. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, absorb perspiration more effectively than most synthetic fabrics. Pay attention to areas of skin that tend to get wet, such as the neck, diaper area and other places where sweat, urine or drool can accumulate, as this can aggravate the condition. rash. Try to keep these areas as clean and dry as possible. Don't use baby powder - not only can it make breathing difficult and irritate your baby's lungs, it can also clog pores and make skin hotter. If it is hot at night, use an air conditioner or fan in the child's room. Aim the fan close to the child but do not let the fan blow directly at the child. Or place it far enough for the wind to reach the child's location.

8. Should you call the doctor when your child has a heat rash?

You should contact your doctor to make sure that your child's condition is caused by heat rash and not something else. You need to take your child to a medical facility immediately if the child has the following symptoms:
The rash seems to be getting worse. Your child has a fever. A rash that shows signs of infection (feeling hot or swollen, red, oozing pus, or crusting). The rash does not go away after three or four days. When a child has abnormal signs of health, parents can take the child to Vinmec Health system for timely examination and treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health System, Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts thanks to the following advantages:
gathers a team of leading doctors and doctors in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, having worked in different hospitals. big hospitals like Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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Reference source: babycenter.com