Heat rash; irritation of the skin caused by heat.
An itchy rash of small raised red spots. It occurs usually on the face, neck, back, chest, and thighs. Infants and obese people are susceptible to prickly heat, which is most common in hot moist weather.
Miliaria rubra; an inflamed papular or vesicular rash that results when the flow of sweat from sweat glands is blocked.
An aggravating skin rash linked to excessive sweating is termed miliaria rubra. Numerous small, red, and itchy spots appear across the affected skin regions, accompanied by sensations of tingling or pricking. This irritation often targets areas where sweat accumulates, such as the armpits.
While the precise cause remains somewhat uncertain, unevaporated sweat is a significant factor in its development. Debris can obstruct the ducts leading from sweat glands, causing sweat to seep into the skin. To alleviate itching, regular cool showers and gently sponging the affected regions can be beneficial.
A skin outbreak often found among Caucasians in tropical regions is marked by small raised bumps and blisters near the openings of sweat glands. It’s believed to be a result of excessive sweating that leaves behind salts which irritate and inflame these gland openings. Managing mild cases involves regularly washing with soft water, particularly through showers, and changing into fresh clothes. In more severe cases, the sweat gland openings can get blocked by hardened plugs. If not addressed, this can disrupt sweating and lead to a condition similar to heat exhaustion called tropical anhidrotic asthenia. Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, intolerance to heat, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. This condition is also referred to as heat rash, lichen tropicus, miliaria papillosa, or miliaria rubra.