What should I do if a baby gets prickly heat?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on January 24, 2025
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If babies develop prickly heat, it should be considered that their sweat glands are underdeveloped, making them susceptible to changes in temperature which can lead to increased sweating. Their sweat can block the sweat glands and increase the occurrence of prickly heat. In terms of treatment, first of all, it's important to pay attention to the temperature of the baby's living environment, ensuring a certain level of humidity and temperature to reduce the stimulus of sweating. Additionally, care should be taken that the clothing is not too tightly wrapped; preferably choose cotton and loose clothing to keep the skin breathable. Furthermore, if prickly heat occurs, you can apply baby-specific prickly heat powder for topical application. Also, pay attention to any symptoms of skin infection, and if present, timely medication should be administered to avoid exacerbation of symptoms leading to infection.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
36sec home-news-image

Can prickly heat heal by itself?

Prickly heat, the disease, can heal on its own since it primarily results from excessive heat or blocked sweat, leading to the condition. Therefore, prickly heat can gradually heal itself if the temperature decreases, cooler weather prevails, or if one sweats less commonly. However, it is crucial to prevent infection, as if infection occurs, it is necessary to use some topical anti-inflammatory medications. Thus, prickly heat can heal on its own, but it is essential to prevent infection during this time.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
34sec home-news-image

The difference between prickly heat and heat rash

Prickly heat and heat rash are different. Prickly heat is a dermatological condition, commonly known as prickly heat, caused by high temperatures and hot weather when the body's sweating mechanism fails, resulting in the development of prickly heat on the skin. On the other hand, heat rash is a symptom that can appear in many diseases. Of course, prickly heat can also manifest symptoms of heat rash. Therefore, the difference between prickly heat and heat rash is quite significant.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How to use prickly heat powder?

Use of prickly heat powder, with the following recommended methods: First, if it is used on babies, be careful not to let the baby get the prickly heat powder into their mouth or eyes. When applying the prickly heat powder, try to apply it to the buttocks, armpits, or the neck and back area. Second, when applying it to skin folds, try to spread it out evenly and not let it accumulate in one spot. Use only a small amount each time, just enough to cover with a thin layer. Third, after using the prickly heat powder, cover it properly to avoid getting it wet.

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Written by Li Ying
Neonatology
1min 31sec home-news-image

The difference between prickly heat and rash

It's often hard for parents to distinguish between intertrigo and prickly heat, but our approach to handling them is generally the same: keep the area dry and apply a small amount of talcum powder to the area affected by prickly heat. Diaper dermatitis and prickly heat may appear similar. Diaper dermatitis primarily occurs on the baby's genital area due to the parents' failure to change diapers or nappies in time, leading to contamination of the skin by the baby's excrement, which can cause the appearance of erythema. Typically, the skin's surface will exhibit red patches or rashes. At this point, we shouldn't use talcum powder; instead, we should visit a dermatologist who will prescribe antimicrobial topical treatments. Another condition is atopic dermatitis, which also manifests with the development of a rash but is characterized by genetic predisposition and being primarily an allergic reactive disease. It usually appears on the face and the flexural sides of the limbs. If you notice that your baby develops rashes not just during summer but also in winter, or if the rashes appear sporadically, you should take your child to a dermatologist for an examination to see if it is atopic dermatitis. For managing atopic dermatitis, the routine care typically involves the long-term use of moisturizers instead of talcum powder and avoiding allergens.

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home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
50sec home-news-image

What should I do if a baby gets prickly heat?

If babies develop prickly heat, it should be considered that their sweat glands are underdeveloped, making them susceptible to changes in temperature which can lead to increased sweating. Their sweat can block the sweat glands and increase the occurrence of prickly heat. In terms of treatment, first of all, it's important to pay attention to the temperature of the baby's living environment, ensuring a certain level of humidity and temperature to reduce the stimulus of sweating. Additionally, care should be taken that the clothing is not too tightly wrapped; preferably choose cotton and loose clothing to keep the skin breathable. Furthermore, if prickly heat occurs, you can apply baby-specific prickly heat powder for topical application. Also, pay attention to any symptoms of skin infection, and if present, timely medication should be administered to avoid exacerbation of symptoms leading to infection.