Prickly Heat – the Summer Stress

Summer enjoyments are usually accompanied by several diseases and discomforts. Sticky sweat, dry skin, heat strokes are rampant in this season. Skin suffers the worst, heat rashes being the most common.
Perspiration or sweating is a mechanism to keep the body cool. And when temperature shoots up during peak summer, it is natural to sweat the heat out.

Some people are hyper sensitive to heat and may sweat excessively. Sweat glands are abundantly seen in the skin folds like neck, armpits, elbow creases, under breasts, soles of feet and palms, groin etc. Faster rate of perspiration can cause blockage of sweat glands due to the deposition of dead skin cells or bacteria found in the skin.
These clogs in sweat glands hinder the sweat from evaporating through the surface of the skin. And with nowhere to escape, it seeps into the neighbouring tissues, forming small red blisters, called the prickly heat or heat rash. Rashes often cause an irritating, itchy sensation, which is why they are called ‘prickly’ heat.

They usually disappear on their own and need no medical treatment. Since they can cause serious distress, it is better to avoid them by following some simple tips- Wear light and airy cotton clothes, keep yourself dry, take showers to cool your body.
If you are currently suffering from heat rashes, wrap some ice cubes in a cotton cloth and rub them over the affected area.

Neem is also a well-known anti-inflammatory agent. Make a paste from handful of neem leaves and apply them over the rashes. Wash it off when completely dried. Using calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can bring down the itchiness.

  –  Jayalakshmi Sunilbabu