Summer is usually the most awaited season for children. All kids wait for their favourite summers or you can say summer vacations. All are excited, they are not bothered about the heat outside, what they want to do is to play and play the whole day. Heat can’t stop them from moving out, but we have to prevent them from the harmful effects of this hot weather.

Most troubling in the hot and humid weather is the itchy rash or prickly heat. It is also known as sweat rash, and in medical terms is called miliaria rubra. Children are more prone to prickly heat as compared to adults. This rash can happen even in winters, because of heat and humidity. The rash is more common in the neck, shoulder and the chest areas. Folds of the skin and places where your clothing rubs your skin are also the areas where prickly heat might occur. It can easily be identified at home. The rash is usually red or the inflamed areas of skin have small blisters. It is also associated with intense itching and irritation.

Aspects that increase prickly heat

Common factors that increase prickly heat are:

• Synthetic clothes
• Tight clothing

• Intensive exercising or physical activity that involves high levels of sweating
• Oil-based cosmetics
• Wearing excessively warm clothes in winter triggering perspiration

How to prevent summer rash?

• Avoid situation causing heavy perspiration like playing in sun between 10 AM to 4 PM
• Wear loose cotton clothes.
• Change undergarments and sweaty clothes after reaching home from workout/play.
• Take shower frequently and especially after coming from the workout.
• Avoid using oil based cosmetics.

Treatment for the Summer Rash

• If the child develops a rash, usually it is self-limiting, it can subside on its own and may not need any treatment.
• If the child feels itching or irritation, you can use calamine lotion for a soothing effect.
• At time mild steroid creams may be required, but only with consult of a paediatrician.

If the child has a fever with any kind of rash, do consult paediatricians, they can be signs of an infection. So take precautions and let the kids enjoy their summer vacations.