Key takeaways:
Heat rash is an itchy skin condition caused by blocked sweat glands.
There’s no way to get rid of heat rash fast, but it usually goes away on its own.
Skin exfoliation, cool compresses, and antihistamines can help soothe heat rash.
The weather warms up and the sun comes out. What scene do you picture? Maybe you imagine yourself relaxing on the beach, soaking up the rays, or frolicking in the water. Or maybe you picture the consequences of forgetting to apply sunscreen — a painful sunburn.
But wait — you put on plenty of sunscreen and didn’t even stay in the sun for that long. What’s that red, itchy rash doing there? The culprit might be heat rash.
While there’s no quick fix for heat rash, there are treatments that can soothe your skin. And if you’re more prone to heat rash, there are steps you can take to keep your skin smooth and free from rashes all summer long.
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What is heat rash?
Heat rash (miliaria rubra) is a skin rash that can develop when sweat glands on your skin get blocked. It’s also called prickly heat and sweat rash.
Sweat glands get blocked all the time. Debris and bacteria that live on your skin can build up and clog your sweat glands. Because of this, heat rash can develop whenever you sweat. Once you have heat rash, continuing to sweat can make the rash worse, creating a vicious cycle.
People commonly develop heat rash after being exposed to hot or humid weather. Interestingly, you’re more likely to develop heat rash when you first get to a hot climate. After a while, your body adjusts and you sweat less. This makes you less likely to develop heat rash.
This is good news if you’ve just moved somewhere warm. But it’s not great news if you’re only somewhere for a short time, like on vacation.
What does heat rash look like?
Heat rash looks like small, raised bumps that may itch. The bumps are often grouped in bunches and may be red or clear on lighter skin tones, and white to gray on darker skin tones. The itchiness usually gets worse when you sweat.
You can develop heat rash anywhere on your body. But it’s more likely to show up on parts of your body that don’t get exposed to fresh air or rub against clothing. Common areas include your armpits, skinfolds, groin, and under your breasts.
Which treatments get rid of heat rash quickly?
The bad news is that there’s no way to get rid of heat rash fast. The good news is that it often clears within a few days after you cool down. More inflamed cases can take a week or two to heal.
In the meantime, here are six tips to break the sweat-rash cycle and help you feel more comfortable as quickly as possible.
1. Cool down
Move to a cooler environment as soon as you can. This can be in the shade or under a tree or umbrella. Better yet, move somewhere indoors with air conditioning. You may not be able to escape the heat forever, but take breaks whenever possible.
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Fabrics can trap a lot of heat against your skin. Try wearing loose-fitting clothing and choose breathable fabrics like cotton. Make sure you’re using lightweight bedding, too.
If you’re wearing a medical dressing or compress, talk to a healthcare professional about whether you can loosen or remove it for part of the day. They may have recommendations about options that are more breathable and less likely to trap heat.
2. Take a cool bath or shower
A cool bath or shower does double duty. It helps your body cool off and soothes irritation from heat rash.
If you only have a small area of heat rash, try applying a cool compress to the area for 10 to 15 minutes. Just run a small towel or cloth under cool water, then place it on your skin.
Good to know: Water should be cool, not freezing. Very cold water or ice packs can lead to cold injury, which can damage your skin.
3. Exfoliate
While you’re enjoying a cool bath or shower, gently exfoliate your skin with a cloth or mild loofah. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells, dried sweat, and other things that could be blocking your sweat glands.
Opening up your sweat glands keeps your heat rash from getting worse and taking longer to heal.
4. Take an antihistamine
Heat rash can be itchy, but avoid the urge to scratch. Scratching irritated and damaged skin can lead to skin infections.
To lessen the itchiness, you can try taking an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine, such as:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Benadryl can make you feel sleepy, so it’s best to use at night, especially if itching is keeping you awake.
5. Try a gentle soap and lotion
Soap can actually worsen heat rash by irritating skin and drying it out. Until your heat rash heals, choose a gentle soap that’s free of fragrances and dyes.
You can also use a gentle moisturizer to soothe your skin. But make sure it’s also free of fragrances and dyes. For added relief, keep your moisturizer in the refrigerator so it can cool off your skin.
6. Prescription medications
If you have heat rash all over your body or your heat rash is very bothersome, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional. There are prescription medications that can help treat heat rash.
Topical steroids can reduce inflammation, reduce itching, and help your skin recover faster. Most people need prescription steroids instead of the ones that are available OTC.
Antibiotic ointments aren’t needed for typical heat rash. They come into play only if the bumps become infected, which is called miliaria pustulosa. Antibiotic ointments help clear the infection by killing the bacteria and calming the surrounding inflammation. Popular options include clindamycin and erythromycin ointments.
Prevention tips and what to avoid
Preventing heat rash is pretty similar to the steps you’ll take to treat it. Hot and sweaty conditions are the top risk factors for heat rash. Here’s how to lower your risk of heat rash:
Keep your body cool. When possible, stay in an air-conditioned environment during the heat of the day. If you have to go outside, do your best to stay in the shade.
Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing doesn’t let air circulate freely. Wearing loose-fitting clothes can help reduce sweating and keep your skin dry. Pick breathable fabrics, like cotton.
Keep your skin dry. If your clothes get wet and sweaty, change into something dry as soon as possible. Limit exercise that makes you sweat a lot. And avoid skin-to-skin contact.
Follow a skin care routine. This can include taking a cool shower and gently exfoliating your skin. Exfoliation helps prevent clogged pores.
What raises your risk of heat rash?
Other things that increase your risk of heat rash include:
Exercise or any physical activity that makes you sweat
Wearing tight clothing
Wearing a medical dressing or medication patches
Illnesses that cause fever
Taking medications that cause sweating like bethanechol, clonidine, and neostigmine
When to seek medical attention
Heat rash isn’t contagious. It’s also not dangerous and doesn’t cause skin scarring.
In rare cases, people who get severe or repeated episodes of heat rash can develop damage to their sweat glands. Damaged sweat glands may make too much sweat, which can lead to excessive sweating. Or they may stop making sweat, which can increase the risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Frequently asked questions
Rashes in children are common, and it can be hard to tell them apart. Heat rash on infants can look similar to how it looks on an adult. You may notice very small bumps on their skin. The rash is common in neck folds, armpits, and the groin. It can be itchy and uncomfortable. On lighter skin tones, the bumps can be clear, pink, or red. On darker skin tones, they may appear brown, gray, or purple.
Yes, you can get heat rash anywhere on your body, including your face. You’re more likely to get heat rash on body parts that don’t get fresh air or where skin rubs against clothing or skin folds. Wearing a face mask for a long period of time can put you at risk for getting heat rash on your face. This is because the mask can rub against your face, block air flow, and create a hot, humid environment.
Rashes in children are common, and it can be hard to tell them apart. Heat rash on infants can look similar to how it looks on an adult. You may notice very small bumps on their skin. The rash is common in neck folds, armpits, and the groin. It can be itchy and uncomfortable. On lighter skin tones, the bumps can be clear, pink, or red. On darker skin tones, they may appear brown, gray, or purple.
Yes, you can get heat rash anywhere on your body, including your face. You’re more likely to get heat rash on body parts that don’t get fresh air or where skin rubs against clothing or skin folds. Wearing a face mask for a long period of time can put you at risk for getting heat rash on your face. This is because the mask can rub against your face, block air flow, and create a hot, humid environment.
The bottom line
Heat rash is an itchy, red, and sometimes painful rash that’s triggered by overheating. It develops when sweat glands in your skin get blocked after overproducing sweat. Heat rash does go away on its own and it’s not contagious.
There are treatments that can help with heat rash recovery and prevent further heat rash. Staying cool, wearing cotton clothing, exfoliating, and switching to a gentle soap and moisturizer can all help soothe heat rash. People with more severe heat rash may need treatment with prescription medications like topical steroids or antibiotics.
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References
Ale, I., et al. (2009). Skin tolerability associated with transdermal drug delivery systems: An overview. Advances in Therapy.
Guerra, K. C., et al. (2022). Miliaria. StatPearls.
National Health Service. (2021). Heat rash (prickly heat).
