Prickly heat is not a serious condition and rarely requires specific treatment. The rash usually disappears after a few days.
However, if you have prickly heat, there are several things you can do to ease your symptoms:
- Avoid excessive heat and humidity – if you need to go outside, spend time in the shade or take a small fan with you. Further exposure to the heat will cause you to sweat more and may make your rash worse.
- Wear loose cotton clothing – avoid wearing synthetic fibres, such as polyester and nylon, which trap heat more easily than natural fibres.
- Keep your skin cool – a cool bath or shower will cool you down, soothe your skin and help prevent further sweating. Staying in an air-conditioned room for a few hours a day will also provide considerable relief.
- Use calamine lotion – this is available at most pharmacies and will help soothe sore and irritated skin.
- Try hydrocortisone cream – low-strength hydrocortisone cream is also available from pharmacies and is effective at treating very itchy and irritated areas of skin. However, avoid using it on your face and always follow the instructions.
Read more about staying safe in the sun.
