Prickly heat - Symptoms 

Symptoms of prickly heat 

The symptoms of prickly heat tend to appear a few days after exposure to hot temperatures. But occasionally, symptoms do not appear for several weeks or months.

The rash

Prickly heat causes a rash to form on your skin. The rash is normally made up of tiny spots or bumps, surrounded by a patch of red skin. Sometimes, the spots look like tiny blisters. This rash may cause:

  • mild swelling
  • itching
  • a stinging or intense prickling sensation

The rash can affect any part of your body, but most commonly appears on your:

  • back
  • abdomen (tummy)
  • neck
  • upper chest
  • groin
  • armpits
  • hands
  • feet

If you have prickly heat, your symptoms are usually worse on the areas of your body that are covered by clothing. This is because your clothing can cause friction and make you sweat more often.

Last reviewed: 02/02/2010

Next review due: 02/02/2012

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Tern said on 11 December 2010

This condition proves that dress codes and uniforms in warm weather are an act of bodily harm, and that school uniforms are child abuse. Especially long trousers boys' uniforms, which I was a victim of while discriminatorily seeing the girls have greater freedom.

I have asperger syndrome and attention deficit, the body sensitivity issue already recognised to occur sometimes with them both. I wear shorts all the time. This week I even had to attend an Atos medical in the middle of the snow and had my shorts defended professionally as my biological need by my accompanying supported employment worker.

I recognise the prickly heat feeling. It was an incidental variation of skin that I could never put a name to or in childhood think could possibly be a serious doctor's issue.

It is now an automatic duty to child protection for the NHS to speak out medically against school unforms and any adult ever telling a child what to wear, as a mass biological crime. A stand for adult workers too, both with autism/attention deficit and everyone with any record of prickly heat. Or of cold susceptibility.

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hagyard said on 02 September 2010

ive had red rash for months when im on treadmill i come in a red rash its worse on my legs and when im in bath too cant stay in long after 15 minutes its goes im fed up is there any thing i can do it seams i take alergy tablets every day too

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Babies and rashes

If your baby has a rash and appears to be unwell, speak to your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice. Heat rash is a common condition in babies and does not cause any serious harm. However, if you are concerned, your GP will be able to confirm the cause of your baby's rash and give appropriate treatment.

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