Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffTo help protect yourself or your child from heat rash:
- In summer, dress in soft, lightweight, cotton clothing. And avoid overdressing in winter — children should wear the same amount of clothing that an adult would wear to stay comfortable.
- Avoid tightfitting clothes that can irritate tender skin.
- When it's hot, stay in the shade or in an air-conditioned building or place a fan at a safe distance to gently circulate the air.
- Keep your sleeping area cool and well ventilated.
- Bathe in cool water with a nondrying soap that doesn't contain fragrances or dyes.
- Avoid using creams or ointments — they don't prevent heat rash and can block pores.
References
- Pielop JA. Benign skin and scalp lesions in the newborn and young infant. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2009.
- Miliaria. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for HealthCare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch118/ch118e.html. Accessed Nov. 2, 2009.
- Acne, rosacea and related disorders. In: Habif TF. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Maryland Heights, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0970&uniq=174064897&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=924617043#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0975%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Extreme heat: A prevention guide to promote your personal health and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp. Accessed Nov. 1, 2009.
- Fealey RD, et al. Disorders of the eccrine sweat glands and sweating. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.; McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2985825. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Walker JS, et al. Heat emergencies. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=604435. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Godkar D. Rare skin disorder complicating doxorubicin therapy: Miliaria crystallina. American Journal of Therapeutics. 2005;12:275.
- Berger TG. Dermatologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=747. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Seto CK, et al. Environmental illness in athletes. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2005;24:695.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 9, 2009.

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