20 Ways to Get Rid of Prickly Heat in Babies with Natural Remedies

What is an effective medicine for prickly heat in babies?

Because the baby’s skin is still sensitive, mothers cannot just give prickly heat medicine to babies. How to get rid of prickly heat in babies must be done according to the doctor’s instructions, or natural methods that can be done at home.

The following is a complete explanation of prickly heat in babies.

Causes of Prickly Heat in Babies

One way to get rid of prickly heat in babies is to reduce the causative factors..

Excessive sweating in babies can cause their skin pores to become clogged so that sweat cannot escape, then causing prickly heat.

Babies and young children often experience prickly heat because their sweat glands are not fully developed. 

Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, a professor of pediatrics and dermatology at the University of California, Berkeley, says, “Hot or warm environments and heavy clothing can cause prickly heat in babies.”

The Head of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego also added that poor air circulation can cause the temperature in the room to become hot or stuffy.

Plus, babies are swaddled or wearing too many layers of clothing. This condition can cause prickly heat. 

If the hot temperature causes the body to sweat, but because the clothes are too thick, the sweat cannot come out, the sweat will flow into the skin tissue around the sweat glands. This triggers irritation and redness on the skin. 

Symptoms of Prickly Heat in Babies

If a baby experiences a reddish rash on his skin that is usually covered, such as in the folds of his arms, genitals, armpits or behind his knees, it is a sign that he has prickly heat.

Babies will usually become fussy and often scratch the area affected by the rash. 

If this happens, it is best to dress the baby in comfortable and sweat-absorbent clothing. Also, lower the room temperature with an air conditioner or fan to help reduce the baby’s feeling of heat.

How to Get Rid of Prickly Heat in Babies

Tips and ways to get rid of prickly heat in babies.

Most symptoms of prickly heat usually go away on their own within a few days.

So, to help your baby feel more comfortable, you need to do the following things as a way to deal with prickly heat in newborns.

Lower the room temperature. Increase air circulation in your home with the help of air conditioning or a fan so that the baby does not feel too hot. The condition of prickly heat can worsen if the baby’s body continues to sweat because of the heat. Dress your baby in comfortable clothes. Replace your baby’s clothes with thinner materials so that air circulation on his skin is smoother.  Use calamine lotion. Apply the lotion to the affected area, but avoid the area around the eyes.  Move the baby to a room with good air circulation.  Keep the rash area dry. Avoid clothing that is too tight on the baby.

How to treat prickly heat in babies can be done by giving a special rash lotion , or according to doctor’s instructions. 

How to Treat and Treat Prickly Heat in Babies Naturally 1. Take a cold shower

Prickly heat usually subsides after the skin temperature cools down or drops. Therefore, taking a cold shower can help overcome prickly heat.

Gently washing your skin can also open up your pores, which is important because clogged pores can lead to prickly heat.

Make sure to dry your baby’s body properly after bathing because skin left wet can become irritated.

2. Fans and AC

As your skin heals from prickly heat, avoid excessive sweating and humid air. Ventilation is essential to allow the prickly heat to dry out and keep your skin cool.

If possible, sleep the baby in an air-conditioned room or use a fan to keep the temperature cool.

3. Drink Lots of Water

When experiencing prickly heat, don’t forget to drink more water and maintain overall body hydration. Water can help keep your body temperature cool.

4.Oatmeal

Oatmealeffective in reducing itching and inflammation.

Since ancient times,oatmealused as a simple home treatment for prickly heat and other skin problems.

To cure prickly heat using oatmeal, use the food ingredient to take a bath. Add 1 or 2 cupsoatmealinto the bath with luke warm water.

Make sure the water is not hot, so as not to irritate the skin further. Let the child soak for about 20 minutes. 

Besides that,Parentscan also make topical medication.

Mix it upoatmealand water in a 1:1 ratio, then stir until it forms a paste. Then, apply it to the skin that has prickly heat. 

5. Baking Soda (Baking Powder)

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can soothe itchy skin and is easily found in the kitchen. This ingredient can be used to treat prickly heat or itchy skin.

Same asoatmeal,baking powdercan treat prickly heat by using it for bathing.

Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of baking soda to a bathtub of lukewarm water and have your child soak in it for about 20 minutes.

6. Corn Flour/Maizena

Same asbaking powder,Cornstarch or cornstarch can also open pores and relieve the symptoms of prickly heat.

Not only that, cornstarch can help soothe irritated and inflamed skin, preventing further spread of prickly heat. 

To use cornstarch as a remedy for prickly heat, take two spoons and add a little water to it to make a paste.

Then, apply cornstarch paste on the affected area and let it dry. Once dry, sprinkle cold water on the dried cornstarch and wash it off.

7. Neem leaves

Neem leaves can be used to help treat a number of skin rashes. Several studies have shown that the leaves have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to treat prickly heat with neem leaves is quite easy, just crush the neem leaves until they are crushed and mix with a little water.

Then apply it to the skin rash or prickly heat, leave it for a few minutes, then clean it. In addition, neem leaf powder can also be mixed into bath water.

8. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which has various health benefits for the skin, including treating prickly heat.

A warm bath with a cup or two of Epsom salts can relieve itching.

However, ifParentsWhen bathing your child in Epsom salt water, make sure they don’t swallow the water.

When taken orally, Epsom salt is a laxative and in excess can cause diarrhea.

9. Potatoes

A piece of potato that has been cooled beforehand is also a great remedy for prickly heat.

Naturally, potatoes have soothing properties for the skin and help relieve inflammation caused by prickly heat.

Chilled potato slices help cool the skin and prevent further spread of prickly heat.

The method is easy, just rub cold potato slices on the skin area affected by prickly heat. Do this two to three times a day.

10. Sandalwood

Mix sandalwood powder with rose water, then apply this mixture to the body parts that are experiencing prickly heat. 

11. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera provides a cool sensation on the skin, a mixture of aloe vera flesh with rose water is believed to be able to treat prickly heat in children and adults.

12. Lemon

This citrus fruit family is believed to have properties to control excess oil due to sweat production.

Mothers can bathe their little ones with water mixed with lemon juice to reduce the symptoms of prickly heat. 

13. Triamcinolone Cream 0.1%

In some cases, doctors will recommend triamcinolone 0.1% cream to children with prickly heat. This topical corticosteroid is available only by prescription.

14. Clindamycin

If your little one has miliaria pustulosa, some doctors will prescribe topical antibiotics such as clindamycin.

This drug is useful for treating a number of bacterial infections, ranging from lung, blood, to skin infections.

The way clindamycin works is by slowing and stopping the growth of bacteria. As a result, the number of bacteria in the body can be controlled.

For your information, this drug is one that requires a prescription and instructions from a doctor. 

15. Change clothes and diapers regularly

If your child has prickly heat, make sure his clothes and diapers are always clean and dry.

Make sure you dry your skin folds after bathing and avoid using plastic mattresses.

16. Hydrocortisone Ointment

Another product that you can try to treat prickly heat in your little one is low-dose hydrocortisone ointment. This medicine works to relieve itching and inflammation in quite severe rashes.

Just like the medicine above, this hydrocortisone ointment also requires a doctor’s prescription. 

17.Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotionis a topical medication that is useful for relieving itching, such as hives to prickly heat. This type of medication can be applied to the affected area to cool the skin.

Some productscalamine lotionThe most commonly used by parents in Indonesia are Caladine Lotion, Dr Brown Baby Lotion, Pure Baby Lotion, Pigeon Baby Lotion, and many more.

18.LotionLanolin Anhydrous

Lotionwhich contains anhydrous lanolin can usually be used to prevent blockage of the sweat gland ducts in babies.

Avoid using it if your child is sensitive to wool. This is because lanolin is made from sheep’s wool. 

19. Olive and Coconut Oil

In studies, oils derived from plants have been shown to help heal the skin, especially olive and coconut.

Both can stop the itching associated with prickly heat and also increase skin regeneration.

20. Chamomile Tea

This concoction consisting of chamomile tea naturally soothes the skin and reduces inflammation.

The method is quite easy, namely, you only need to soak it in warm water, then place the soaked tea bag on the affected area.

Preventing Prickly Heat in Babies

Avoid wearing clothes that are too thick on babies, especially during hot weather and high temperatures. Prickly heat can be prevented if the baby’s skin can breathe well.

The way to do this is to wear thin cotton clothing that absorbs sweat.

That way, it allows air to come in and out, and there is no obstruction for sweat to come out of his skin. Provide air conditioning in the baby’s room so that he does not sweat easily. 

When to See a Doctor?

Prickly heat is a common condition that usually resolves without medical treatment. Taking steps to prevent prickly heat is the best way to avoid this disorder.

If prickly heat starts to appear, you may need to take some quick steps to lower your body temperature and prevent additional sweating.

Additionally, watch for additional signs such as sudden fever or fatigue to prevent more serious problems.

If the symptoms of prickly heat persist or the rash looks infected, you should seek medical help. Your little one may be referred to a doctor if there are signs of this condition.

Popular Questions Regarding Prickly Heat Medication for Babies

New mothers definitely have a lot of questions about prickly heat medication for babies.

Well, below we have summarized for you some popular questions related to this.

1. Can I apply powder to prickly heat?

One of the most effective ways to deal with prickly heat is to apply a special powder repeatedly. Nowadays, many prickly heat powders are available commercially.on linewhich you can order from home. 

Such as products from Konicare, My Baby, Herocyn, Salicyl, and so on.

But, you need to know, Mom, never sprinkle powder on sweaty skin. This is because it can invite bacterial or fungal infections.

In addition, mothers are also not advised to sprinkle powder on the injured area of ​​prickly heat. 

2. When does prickly heat in babies go away?

Prickly heat can feel uncomfortable, but it is usually not dangerous.

That is why in most cases, prickly heat does not require serious treatment.

Usually, it will disappear by itself within 2 to 3 days.

Moreover, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor so that your little one can be treated quickly and avoid dangerous risks.

3. Can baby oil get rid of prickly heat in babies?

Remember, one of the treatments for prickly heat is not to use mineral oil-based products. So, using baby oil to get rid of prickly heat in babies is not possible, Mom. 

This is because products such as baby oil and petroleum jelly can clog skin pores and cause prickly heat in babies.

Instead, try pure coconut oil or shea butter mixed with coconut oil, both of which provide moisture without blocking the skin’s pores from breathing.

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Here are some ways to get rid of prickly heat and natural remedies for prickly heat in babies . Hopefully useful.

What to Know About Heat Rash in Babies
https://www.healthline.com/health/heat-rash-toddler

Heat rash (prickly heat)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/

What to know about heat rash in babies
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324702

Home Remedies for Heat Rash
https://www.healthline.com/health/heat-rash-home-remedies

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Prickly Heat / Sweat Rash
https://www.medindia.net/homeremedies/prickly-heat.asp 

Understanding Heat Rash Basics
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-heat-rash-basics

Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia