Heat Rash & Prickly Heat

Prickly Heat/Heat Rash

Prickly heat is a common summer ailment with small, itchy red bumps which typically develop in the folds of the skin and anywhere sweating occurs. Often caused by excessive sweating, it can lead to itching and discomfort.

Babies, small children and pregnant women are particularly prone to prickly heat rash, but in really hot conditions even those with 'normal' skin can suffer. Try and keep cool and opt for light, loose natural fiber clothing and light-weight bed linen.

A common cause of prickly heat is sun creams that block the pores, particularly those containing mineral oils (petrolatum and paraffinum liquidum) and silicone. Being non-absorbed they can create a cling-film like layer on the skin’s surface that holds in heat, stops sweat escaping and the skin from cooling down.

Use a mineral sun screen and cover up and stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, when it is at its hottest. Keep your skin cool with cool baths and showers and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. Our Repair Lotion can also help to calm the skin.