What is Prickly Heat?
Prickly heat is a common skin condition that occurs mostly during summer when the weather is hot and you are always sweaty. Studies have also shown that it can appear on the skin during winter, but the cases of prickly heat during summer are usually higher than in winter. Some parts that are mostly affected by prickly heat include the armpit, forehead, neck, and some parts of the face.
As a result of the constant sweat, you may begin to notice reddish rashes on your skin. This is usually not a thing that calls for so much concern because it clears on its own. However, for the sake of not being comfortable with it on your skin or for the sake of complications in people with sensitive skin, going the extra mile to look for remedies for clearing it is not a bad idea.
Who is Affected by Prickly Heat?
Studies have shown that infants and young children are more at risk of having prickly heat. This is because their sweat glands are not mature enough, so any tiny wave of heat can clog their sweat pores and cause tiny swellings that result in prickly heat.
Experts have come together to make a list of remedies that can be used to get rid of prickly heat rashes. These remedies are completely natural and can help you have a beautiful summer. This is because, on the one hand, they give your skin a cool sensation while also keeping you fresh in the process. While on the other hand, try to clear the rashes that come with the summer heat.
One good thing about these natural remedies is that they do not have any side effects, unlike some over-the-counter creams that clear prickly heat rashes. They are packed with natural properties that can help boost skin health. Thus, as much as they clear your prickly heat rashes, they also add amazing benefits to your skin. They can make your skin attractive and supple, helping you reach your skin goals faster.
Causes or Risk Factors of Prickly Heat
The most common cause of prickly heat is excessive heat or sweating, such that the sweat gland pores get clogged, resulting in tiny skin rashes. Other factors that can trigger prickly heat include;
- Wearing tight-fitting clothes during summer
- Wearing clothes made from synthetic fiber that does not allow for easy flow of air through the cloth to your skin
- Wearing warm clothes during summer
- Some side effects of some medications can make you sweat more
- Engaging in strenuous physical activities that may cause you to sweat more
- Cosmetics that contain compounds that can block the sweat glands
All of these factors can heighten your risk of suffering from prickly heat. If you experience prickly heat every summer or winter and have not found any remedy for it, then you are on the right blog.
Symptoms of Prickly Heat
If you notice these symptoms, you may just suffer from prickly heat. The following are classic symptoms of prickly heat;
- Redness of the skin
- Irritated and inflamed skin
- Tiny swellings and sometimes blisters on the skin
This article is packed with different natural remedies that can help you get rid of the rashes that come with excessive heat.
Below are the natural remedies that can help you clear prickly heat rashes;
Natural Remedies for Prickly Heat
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known for its effectiveness in treating various skin conditions, courtesy of its natural and medicinal properties. Studies have shown that the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of aloe Vera can help eliminate different forms of rashes and the irritation and inflammation that may result on the skin due to the heat.
Coupled with this, aloe Vera gel has high water content and thus can keep the skin hydrated. All you need to do is cut some aloe Vera leaves and extracts the gel in the leaves, then smear the gel on the affected area of your skin and even massage it into your skin richly so that your skin can absorb it. To get maximum results, you can apply the aloe Vera gel to your skin two times a day and watch prickly heat disappear.
If aloe Vera leaves are unavailable around you, you can get some aloe Vera creams or lotions from trusted brands that can assure you of enough naturalness to clear your prickly heat. Ensure that you check the label of the aloe Vera lotion brand you are buying to ensure that there are no chemical additives that can worsen your skin condition.
Ginger
Ginger has been an effective remedy for different health conditions both within and outside the body. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect the cells in the body, especially the skin cell. Thus, applying ginger paste to your skin can help calm any inflammation whatsoever on your skin and also preserve your skin cells in the process.
All you need to do is blend some ginger roots, add some honey while blending, then apply some of the ginger and honey paste on the affected area of your skin. You can leave the paste to sit on your skin for about 30 minutes before washing it off. Ensure that you wash it off gently without rubbing the skin roughly. Then dab your skin gently with a clean and soft towel.
Sweet Potatoes
This may sound weird, but yes! It works. Slicing some raw sweet potatoes and running the cut side of the potatoes in your skin or even leaving it on the affected area of your skin can help improve your prickly heat rashes. It is most effective for eliminating the inflammation that is associated with prickly heat. It also gets rid of the itches associated with it. What’s more? Leaving sliced sweet potatoes on the affected area of your skin can help soothe your skin from irritation and inflammation, and the burning sensation of prickly heat.
Just like aloe Vera gel, you can apply the potato remedy on your skin two times a day and wash the affected area of your skin with clean water after every 20 minutes of applying. You can either choose to allow your skin to dry on its own or dab it with a clean and soft towel.
Sandalwood Powder and Coriander Leaves
Coriander leaves and sandalwood powder are perfect for treating prickly heat. This is because while sandalwood powder has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm the burning sensation, inflammation, and irritation of the prickly heat rashes, rather coriander leaves contain antiseptic properties that protect the skin from infection, especially in cases where there are blisters and bruises in the affected area k the skin.
All that you need to do is grind some coriander leaves and sandalwood and add some honey or water to it to make a paste. Having done this, paste some of this mixture into the affected area of your skin and leave it to sit on your skin for about 30 minutes before washing it off. Then dab your skin with a clean and soft towel.
Honey
Honey is popular for the health benefits that it adds to the body. It helps treat different underlying health conditions by supporting medications for those health conditions. Also, it can be used for the prevention of other health conditions.
In this case of skin condition, honey is packed with properties that can help soothe the inflammation of the skin rashes. It also eliminates the itchiness that is associated with the skin condition. While treating your skin condition also keeps the skin hydrated and fresh.
You do not need to mix the honey with any other thing. Just apply raw honey to the affected area of your skin and leave it to sit there for 30 minutes, then wash it off with clean water. You can repeat this process 2 to 3 times per day until you notice changes.
Conclusion
Prickly heat is not a serious skin condition. Sometimes it clears on its own. However, for faster and more effective treatment, using natural remedies to clear the rashes will give you the desired results.