Summer is the favorite time of year for many people, but this can turn into a nightmare for people who suffer from prickly heat.
Prickly heat is also known as heat rash or sweat rash. Miliaria is a medical term that is used for prickly heat.
This is a very common problem that is happening in adults, children, and even infants. This condition is mostly affecting people who live in hot and humid climates [1,2]. When they live in those areas, this leads to excessive sweating, which can cause sweat glands to become blocked. When prickly heat subsequently bursts open, then this irritates the skin, and it is resulting in prickly heat. Bacterial infections and underdeveloped sweat glands are other causes of prickly heat.
If you are leading a sedentary lifestyle or if you are overweight, then this could also lead to prickly heat. This condition can happen anywhere in your body, but usually, it affects the upper chest, abdomen, armpits, hands, groin, neck, back, and feet.
The most common symptoms of prickly heat are small red round bumps or rashes that itch, stinging or prickling sensations, and mild inflammation. In most cases, prickly heat resolves naturally as the weather condition improves. But when it strikes in the heat of the summer, then the first thing that you should do is to cool down your body. You can take a cold shower or bath, or you can stay in an air-conditioned room to minimize the prickling sensations on your skin.
Also, you can try some of the below-mentioned home remedies, which are very effective for prickly heat. Talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for prickly heat.
9 Home remedies for prickly heat
Contents
Margosa leaves
These leaves are also known as neem. Margosa leaves pose antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to control the symptoms of prickly heat, such as inflammation and itching.
You should grind a handful of neem leaves into a paste. You should apply this paste to the affected area and let it dry on its own. You should rinse it off using cool water. You should follow this natural treatment once per day for a period of a week.
Also, there is another option, and that is to simmer a handful of neem leaves in 2 cups of water for twenty minutes. You should strain this home remedy and then let it cool. You should soak a cotton cloth in this home remedy and then place it over the affected area for 5 – 10 minutes. You should do this natural treatment 4 or 5 times per week.
Also, you can create a paste of fifteen to twenty crushed neem leaves mixed with ½ cup of gram flour, which is also known as besan, and a little water. You should spread this home remedy on the affected area, let it stay there for fifteen minutes, and then rinse it off using cool water. You should use this home remedy on a daily basis for a period of a few days or about a week. [3,4]
Fuller’s earth
This home remedy is also known as Multani mitti. This is a very popular home remedy for treating prickly heat [3]. It has medicinal properties which can lessen irritation, and it can reduce inflammation as well as itching. You should mix 5 tablespoons of Fuller’s earth with 2 – 3 tablespoons of rose water to make a thick paste.
You should apply this paste to the affected area. Let it dry on its own, and then wash it off using cold water. You should use this home remedy once per day for a period of one week.
Baking soda
This is also a very popular home remedy for prickly heat [3]. It works as a gentle exfoliating agent that can help unclog pores by removing dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities. This will help to get relief from inflammation and itching that are associated with prickly heat.
In one cup of cold water, you should add one teaspoon of baking soda. You should soak a clean washcloth in this home remedy, and you need to wring out the excess water. You should put the washcloth over the affected area for 5 – 10 minutes. You should repeat this natural cure four or five times per day for a period of one week.
Sandalwood powder
This home remedy has soothing properties which can eliminate symptoms of prickly heat [3]. Also, it can help to cool the body temperature, which is very important for fast recovery.
You should prepare a paste by mixing together equal amounts of rose water and sandalwood powder. You should apply this paste to the affected skin. Let it stay there until it dries. You should rinse it off using cold water. You should follow this home remedy 2 times per day for a period of a week.
Also, you should mix 2 tablespoons each of coriander powder and sandalwood powder with enough rose water to make a thick paste. You should smear this paste on the affected area and let it stay there until it dries on its own. You should wash it with cold water and then pat dry your skin. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day for a period of one week.
Also, you can sprinkle sandalwood powder as talcum over the affected area after you have taken a shower.
Cold treatment
When you are using a cold compress over the affected area, then this will give you relief from itching, prickling sensations, and inflammation.
You should wrap a few ice cubes in a dishcloth. You should place it on the affected area for 5 – 10 minutes at a time. You should repeat every 4 – 6 hours for 2 – 3 days. This will prevent your rashes from getting worse and from spreading further.
Also, there is another option, and that is to soak a cotton cloth in cold water. Wring out the excess water and place it over the affected area for 5 – 10 minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment 3 or 4 times per day for a period of one week. Also, you can take a cold bath or shower as you need it because it can help you to reduce the intensity of prickly heat symptoms.
Oatmeal
This is a very popular home remedy for prickly heat because it has soothing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritating properties. Also, it has a soothing effect on the skin, and it will give instant relief from the itching and inflammation that are caused by prickly heat.
You should add one cup of finely ground oatmeal powder to one bathtub filled with cool water. You should stir it well until the water gets a milky color. You should soak in this bath for twenty to thirty minutes. You should pat dry your body using a soft towel. You should do this natural treatment two times per day for a period of one week to get relief from the symptoms of prickly heat. [5]
Gram flour
This home remedy can help to absorb the extra moisture of the body, which in turn can help you to treat prickly heat. Also, this natural cure can remove dead skin cells, gives relief from inflammation, and opens up clogged pores.
You should add a little water to 2 – 3 tablespoons of gram flour to make a paste. You should apply this home remedy to the affected area. Let it stay there for ten to fifteen minutes, and then wash it off using cold water. You should do this natural treatment once per day for a period of one week.
Aloe Vera
This natural cure has cooling, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you in the natural treatment of prickly heat. You should extract the gel from fresh Aloe Vera leaves.
You should rub this gel over the affected skin. You should let it stay there for at least twenty minutes, and then you need to take a cold bath. You should do this natural treatment at least 2 times per day for a period of one week. [6]
Cucumbers
This home remedy has a cooling effect that can soothe and help to cool the affected skin. Also, it will give you relief from the itching.
You should cut a cucumber into thin slices. You should soak these pieces for a few minutes in a bowl of cold water mixed with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. You should place the soaked cucumber slices on the affected area for ten minutes. You should do this natural treatment 3 times per day for a period of one week. We know that cucumber is rich in water, so this is a reason why you should eat it on a daily basis. It will keep your body hydrated.
Also, you can rub cucumber pulp on the affected area. You should let it stay there for thirty minutes and then wash it off using cool water. This home remedy will cool the affected area and will lessen the itching. You should do this natural treatment several times per day for a period of one week to promote healing. [7]
References:
[1] Lyons RE, Levine R, Lutzner MA. Studies on miliaria rubra. JAMA Dermatology. 1960;81(3):442-446.
[2] Sulzberger MB, Zimmerman HM. Studies on prickly heat: Experimental and histologic findings. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1946;7(1):61-68.
[3] Nagpal M, Singh G, Paramjot, Aggarwal G. Miliaria: An update. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences. 2017;8(4):1161-68.
[4] Bhowmik D, Chiranjib JY, Tripathi KK, Sampath Kumar KP. Herbal remedies of Azadirachta indica and its medicinal application. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2010;2(1):62-72.
[5] Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015;14(1):43-8.
[6] Tabassum N, Hamdani M. Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacognosy Review. 2014;8(15):52-60.
[7] Murad H, Nyc MA. Evaluating the potential benefits of cucumbers for improved health and skin care. The Journal of Aging Research & Clinical Practice. 2012.
