Heat rash is a painful, burning sensation with itchy skin condition that is accompanied by small clusters of tiny raised red bumps.
What causes heat rash?
When your sweat pores are clogged due to excessive sweating, it results to heat rash. It is because excessive sweating accumulates dead skin cells and bacteria to block the sweat glands causing characteristics bumps. And when the sweat is released by bursting the bumps, it results in prickly heat with stinging sensation. It usually occurs in the hot and humid climate.
It can appear on any part of the body but most often it is seen on your face, neck, chest, back, near the groin and under the arms.
Now, let’s have a look at 10 effective natural ways to treat the prickly heat at home.
1. Expose to cool air
One of the best remedies to treat heat rash is to air yourself. For this, uncover the affected areas and let the cool air soothe the prickly heat. You will be relieved with less irritation.
Note: In case of babies, avoid wearing them diapers and let the air into the affected areas.
2. Have a cool bath to reduce heat rash
When your skin is cooled down, it eases the heat rash. And one way to cool it down is bathing in a cool water. Having a cool bath also helps to unclog skin pores. This is helpful as clogged pores also leads to heat rash.
Once you finish bathing on a cool water, make sure to dry your skin properly as wet skin can be prone to irritation.
3. Oatmeal can treat heat rash
Oatmeal is another effective home remedy to treat heat rash and other skin condition. It helps to reduce inflammation and itching caused due to prickly heat.
Ingredients:
- 1 part oatmeal
- 1 part water
Direction:
- Mix both oatmeal and water.
- Apply the mixture on the affected areas.
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
- Then rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
4. Sandalwood for prickly heat
Sandalwood is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic that helps to reduce inflammation and painful burning sensation caused due to heat rash. Also, the natural oils in sandalwood also helps to treat sun tan issue.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts sandalwood powder
- 1 part water
Direction:
- Mix both the ingredients to form a fine paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected areas.
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
- Then rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
5. Lukewarm bath using baking soda soothes prickly heat
Baking soda is a great home remedy to cool down heat rash. It also soothes the itchiness caused due to prickly heat.
Ingredient:
- 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda
Direction:
- Prepare a lukewarm bath in a bathtub.
- Add baking soda to the lukewarm water.
- Soak yourself for about 20 minutes.
- Then rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
6. Aloe vera – a natural remedy to treat heat rash
Another natural cooling agent for the heat rash is aloe vera which is rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It also reduces the swelling, itchiness and pain associated with heat rash.
Ingredient:
- Fresh aloe vera gel
Direction:
- Cut the aloe vera leaf horizontally.
- Rub the gel part directly on the affected areas.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes.
- Then rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
- Repeat 3 times a day for better result.
7. Yogurt – an easy home remedy for heat rash
Yogurt consists of antibacterial and antifungal properties that treats several skin condition such as acne, breakouts including heat rash. It has both cooling and soothing effect to treat prickly heat.
Ingredient:
- Cold yogurt
Direction:
- Apply cold yogurt on the affected areas
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes
- Then rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily to get relief.
8. Rose water cubes – a natural remedy to reduce heat rash
Rosewater helps to treat irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. Its antibacterial properties also help to heal any cuts and wounds. It even maintains the pH balance on the skin.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of rose water
- ½ cup of normal water
- 2 tablespoon honey
- Washcloth
Direction:
- Mix all the ingredients and freeze it in an ice tray.
- Take the ice cubes and wrap it in a washcloth.
- Press the washcloth gently in the affected areas.
- Repeat twice a day for better result.
9. Bentonite clay relieves from heat rash
Bentonite clay is a natural absorbent that absorbs impurities, oil and bacteria from the skin. It also treats acne breakouts, inflamed skin and heat rash.
Ingredients:
- Bentonite clay
- Water
Direction:
- Mix bentonite clay with water to form a thick fine paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected areas.
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
10. Cocoa Butter to treat prickly heat
Cocoa butter consists of polyphenols which is a type of antioxidant that soothes skin affected from heat rashes. It also helps to reduce the signs of aging.
Ingredient:
- Cocoa butter
Direction:
- Apply cocoa butter on the affected areas.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes.
- Wash off with cool water and pat dry.
Heat rash or prickly heat can be treated naturally. Implement the remedies mentioned above and you should see the changes within few weeks. If you do not see any improvements, then we recommend you to visit your physician for treatment.
