Heat pimples is a rash that appears in the form of red blisters on the skin. It can usually be treated by simple measures and can be well prevented. However, there are also forms that are more persistent.
What are heat pimples?
Heat pimples, also known as miliaria, are small blisters that appear predominantly in intense heat. Heat pimples, also called miliaria, are small blisters which occur predominantly in intense heat. They are rarely painful and usually disappear after a few days. Their development has different causes. On the one hand, heat pimples are caused by the combination of heat and humidity and, on the other hand, by previous illnesses or a lack of personal hygiene. The treatment depends on the underlying causes. The course also depends on the form of the heat pimples and their origin. However, in almost all cases the course of the disease is positive. It can also be prevented with simple means such as avoiding high heat and humidity and increased body hygiene.
Causes
Heat pimples are caused by different factors. Basically, they are formed when sweat pores become clogged. This happens, for example, during physical work, because then the body perspires more, which can block the pores. Immature sweat pores are also a cause. For this reason, small children and infants have heat pimples, which are especially noticeable in warm temperatures. Tropical climates also trigger heat pimples in adults. More precisely, the hot temperatures, which in combination with the humid climate have a particularly stressful effect on the pores. Medications can also cause heat pimples. In particular, clonidine, beta blockers and opiates are known to stimulate sweat pores. The same is true of certain clothing that covers the skin enough to block sweat pores. Creams and ointments have a similar effect and interfere with sweat pore function. Last, all types of heat can cause heat pimples. Overheating caused by too thick blankets, for example, trigger pimples just as much as prolonged stays in warm climates. Depending on where the cause lies, the treatment also turns out.
Diseases with this symptom
- Anhidrosis
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Heat pimples can usually be diagnosed without special procedures. Affected people can usually determine for themselves whether and to what extent they suffer from the rash. The physician can additionally take a medical history to find out when the heat pimples first appeared, what external circumstances existed at the time, and whether the affected person is taking medication. Any abnormalities in everyday life are also noted in order to simplify subsequent therapy. The course of the disease of heat pimples depends on the particular form and its manifestation:
- In the mildest form, also called Miliaria crystallina, sweat accumulates only in the uppermost layer of the skin. If the sweat production becomes less, the pimples also recede. Painful they are only rarely.
- The Miliaria rubra on the other hand, may well cause unpleasant sensations. This form arises in a deeper layer of the skin and is triggered, for example, by bedriddenness or staying in tropical climates. Again, the pimples heal as soon as the triggering circumstances have been remedied.
- The third and most severe form is Miliaria profunda. This is a very rare form of heat pimples, which occurs only in adults. It is triggered by hard work and manifests as painful, flesh-colored pimples. Accompanying symptoms include sweating or itching. It can be very unpleasant for the person affected.
When should you go to the doctor?
As beautiful as warm summer days are, almost forgotten pests are reporting back to some people: heat pimples. As itchy red blisters or small pimples, they appear mainly on the body parts where moisture easily forms in the heat: in the back of the knees, under the armpits, in the groin area and in various skin folds. Heat pimples can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting clothing made of breathable textiles such as cotton, linen or silk and by preferring to stay in cooler rooms. Powdering the areas at risk also prevents heat rash.By the way, bedding should also be light and airy in summer. Those affected only need to go to the doctor for heat pimples if their subjective complaints are more severe. The family doctor or dermatologist can prescribe special solutions for relief or allergy medication. Those who could not resist the itching of heat pimples and may have scratched themselves sore, should definitely see the doctor. Penetrating bacteria can infect even small wounds and cause severe inflammation. A doctor can also safely clarify whether it is exclusively heat pimples or possibly skin fungus, which requires a separate therapy.
Complications
Heat pimples are usually harmless and heal quickly. However, more complicated courses may occur in some cases, but they are still usually easily treatable. As mentioned, two different forms of heat pimples are known. Plump water-clear ones are distinguished from reddish painful heat pimples. The water-clear pimples (Miliaria cristallina) are uncomplicated and can be easily removed by wiping away and squeezing. This causes a liquid to ooze out, which leads to the immediate cessation of sweat gland congestion. In the case of reddish pimples (Miliaria rubra), inflammation ensures that they cannot be removed by wiping away, scratching or pressing on. Rather, frequent scratching leads to reddened, itchy, painful and swollen skin. Nevertheless, the symptoms can usually be treated well by treatment with zinc powder and local antibiotics, so that here, too, drug therapy would only be the exception. Infants are particularly at risk of suffering from the inflammatory form of heat pimples due to wearing diapers. A very rare complication of heat pimples is heat stroke. In this case, heat regulation is disturbed by sweating to such an extent that the body can hardly dissipate heat. The body temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius. Heat stroke is characterized by dizziness, nausea, headache, high heart rate and low blood pressure. It is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment and therapy
Heat pimples normally do not need to be treated, as they disappear on their own after a few days. Only if the symptoms persist for a few days and the complaints possibly worsen, a doctor should be consulted. He can initiate various measures to reduce perspiration. For example, he prescribes anhydrous Lasolin, which is applied to the skin in the form of an ointment and reduces the itching. Preparations that help against the pain and those that stimulate perspiration are also prescribed. Exactly what these are varies from case to case. An important part of the treatment is cooling the affected areas. Sufferers are advised to stay in cool rooms and avoid covering the heat pimples if possible. Physical activity should be completely avoided until the pimples have healed. Work or activities that otherwise stress the skin with dust, dirt or exhaust fumes should also be avoided. Infants with heat pimples are treated by means of special powders. The doctor takes a regular look at the pimples, which in babies occur mainly on the chest, until they heal, in order to be able to react quickly to any changes.
Outlook and prognosis
Adults develop heat pimples mainly in areas where the skin rubs or wrinkles. Spread to other areas of the body is not usually common. In infants, however, the rash may affect the entire body. In Miliaria crystallin, the simplest form of heat pimples, sweat collects in the uppermost layer of the skin and generates watery blisters here. Miliaria crystallin is neither painful nor dangerous and heals quickly as soon as the affected person sweats less. If the patient is bedridden or stays in tropical areas, he must expect a more severe form of heat pimples. Miliaria rubra usually forms in the epidermis and is accompanied by large red nodules and disturbed sensation in the affected areas of the skin. Often, where the skin is diseased, local sweat production also dries up. In rare cases, miliaria profunda may also develop, but this only occurs in adults, and here usually after strenuous physical work. In addition to itching and redness, severe dizziness may also occur.Heat pimples, even in their severe form, are harmless and regress as soon as the patient cools down. Severe forms of miliaria, however, often precede heat stroke, which can be life-threatening.
Prevention
Heat pimples can be prevented by various measures. Basically, it makes sense not to engage in physical activities in hot weather and to stay in cool areas. In addition, drink plenty of fluids and eat enough fruit. Clothing is best made of a breathable fabric so that the skin is well supplied with air and sweat does not collect on the skin. Lastly, heat pimples can be avoided by paying attention to good body hygiene. The sweat pores can be taken care of by using special shower gels, making them less prone to clogging. People who are prone to heat pimples can turn to special preparations to reduce perspiration and prevent discomfort from the outset.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Various home remedies and self-measures help against heat pimples. The most important remedy against the small pimples is cold. Cold compresses, a cool bath or cooling pads can reduce swelling and relieve itching. Applications with bicarbonate of soda, oatmeal, chamomile or lavender are particularly effective. Acutely, heat pimples can be reduced and often even avoided by avoiding great exertion and direct sun contact. Particularly susceptible areas of the body can also be cooled with fresh cloths and ointments made from chamomile, bee honey or lemon juice. In addition, it helps to wear light and loose clothing, especially linen and cotton or “breathable” clothing. For rapid healing of heat pimples, the skin should be washed with lukewarm water and then gently dried. Vitamin preparations with vitamin C or vitamin D can reduce heat pimples and have a preventive effect, especially in combination with special sunscreen without preservatives and fragrances. Other home remedies for heat pimples are healing clay (mixed with water or chamomile tea and applied to the heat pimples) or bee honey and wheat germ oil. Ribwort also has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect when applied directly to the skin. Allergy sufferers and patients with severe heat pimples should first discuss the use of home remedies with their family doctor.
