Miliaria is a skin disease marked by small and itchy rashes. Miliaria is a common ailment in hot and humid conditions, such as in the tropics and during the summer season. Although it affects people of all ages, it is especially common in children and infants due to their underdeveloped sweat glands.

'Prickly heat is also medically known as miliaria and it is a very simple condition and not a disease or disorder. Also, as a relief it is not at all contagious. So, don't worry, if any of your near or dear one's is suffering from miliaria, you don't have an increased risk of being infected. This condition is caused when the body reacts to the heat and humidity of summers in a tropical climate like in India.

Usually heat rash occurs on the covered parts of the body, including the back, neck, upper chest, abdomen, groin, or armpits. It actually goes away naturally, most of the times by its own within some days. People usually mean a kind of urticaria or nettle rash - this is usually caused by some sensitivity or allergy and it is worthwhile thinking exactly what kinds of things bring it on (the least likely is heat - that just makes it feel worse once it is there).

Types of Heat Rash

Depending on the exactly where the sweat glands are blocked or clogged, heat rash is divided into the following categories:

•    Miliaria Crystallina

•    Miliaria Rubra

•    Miliaria Profunda

Symptoms of Heat Rash

•    Tiny red itchy bumps

•    Burning bumps

•    Pricking or stinging bumps

•    Painful eruptions

•    Warm and inflamed eruptions

•    Red lines extending from the eruptions

•    Clogging pus in the affected area

•    The lymph nodes of the armpits, neck or groin swell up

•    Fever with chills

Tips To Prevent Heat Rash

1. Keep yourself well hydrated

2. Maintain room temperature of 25 degrees by an air conditioner or a well ventilated fan.

3. Take shower more than once to wash of the sweat.

4. Wear cotton clothes and avoid synthetic garments.

5. Avoid being in crowded places for long.

6. Keep creams, ointments and powders away from babies.

7. Ice cubes could be used to provide cool to the affected area.

8. Neem (Margosa / Azadirachta Indica) leaves are a very good antiseptic. 20-25 leaves should be dried and ground to a powder, mixed with rose water and applied to the affected area. This would avoid further deterioration and prevent further recurrence.

9. It is important to avoid contact with oil and oily preparation since the oil could block the pores again.

10. Mix baking soda or ground oatmeal powder in lukewarm water for taking a shower and for reducing the heat rash.

11. A sandalwood paste mixed rose water can also be applied to reduce the heat rash symptoms.

12. Prepare a mixture of cold coriander seeds and apply it twice daily to reduce the symptoms of heat rash.

Consult a doctor in case of a sever condition of heat rash. In other cases, use natural and effective ways to set your child and yourself free from the heat rash.     

Read About Home Remedies also Read about Miliaria and Lyme Disease Treatment