How To Treat Baby’s Heat Rash

Heat rash is a common problem in babies. Babies can get hot and since their glands and pores are not fully developed, they do not sweat like other children do. This causes heat rash to occur. Heat rash can be little blotches of red (rash) in the skin that is found in the folds or bends of the body that get the hottest. It can be found on the arms, legs, between the legs, the diaper area, which is most common, and on the back or the stomach. A more serious case of heat rash will be in the form of little red bumps that are on the skin.

Getting rid of a heat rash is tricky. You cannot use lotions, powder, or ointment on a heat rash. These medications will make a heat rash worse. You do not want to use anything that will clog the pores of the skin more since this is how the rash occurred in the first place.

If your baby has little blotches of red the treatment is quite simple. You take the baby’s clothes off, especially in the area that is effected. You can even wipe the effected area where the blotches are with a cold washcloth. When the area cools off, the heat rash that is little blotches of red will disappear on its own.

Getting rid of heat rash in the form of little red bumps may take a little more work than a blotchy red heat rash. You will have to give baby a bath and maybe even use gentle soap on baby’s skin to open his or her pores. The heat rash should go away on its own, but if not you will need to contact your pediatrician.

Once you notice the heat rash you need to start cooling your child off. Have your baby sit down preferably in cool air. You should give your baby something cool to drink. Your child is hot and needs to cool off, so he or she may be thirsty as well. Once your child has something cool to drink and you have wiped him or her down with a cloth, check to see if the heat rash is getting better, if it is gone, or if it seems to be getting worse. If the rash is getting worse, obviously it is more than heat rash and a pediatrician needs to be called.

If the heat rash is bumps and the bumps seem to be spreading after treatment call the pediatrician immediately. If a bath does not help the rash to get better after 24 hours call the pediatrician. The child may have a more serious condition.

The best medication for heat rash is prevention. You can prevent heat rash by staying cool, wearing loose clothing, and in the summer especially, stay away from plastic diapers or clothes that will not let the air move through them.