Prickly heat in babies is characterized by red spots on the skin. Babies also usually look fussy because of the itching they experience. Although common, prickly heat in babies can be a sign of a serious condition that requires medical attention. Prickly heat or miliaria occurs because of a blockage in the skin pores, so sweat cannot come out.

In baby's, prickly heat is caused by small pores in the skin and underdeveloped sweat glands. Prickly heat can cause a red rash that is usually seen in folds of skin or areas covered by clothing, such as the neck, stomach, chest, or buttocks. A rash can also appear on the head, especially if the baby often wears a hat.

Prickly heat in babies can be dangerous

Prickly heat in babies is generally not a serious condition. This condition may even subside within a few days. However, one of the causes of prickly heat to watch out for is overheating. Overheating has the potential to cause serious conditions in the baby, such as sudden infant death due to overheating during sleep. In some cases, overheating can be dangerous when the body can no longer control and lower its own temperature, resulting in a heat stroke or heat stroke.

Steps for handling prickly heat in babies

Prickly heat generally occurs when the air feels hot and humid. In order not to get worse, immediately take the following steps Your little one shows signs of overheating or prickly heat appears on his skin:

The first step to dealing with prickly heat in babies is to place your little one in a cool room. If you are outdoors, find a shady place that is not exposed to the hot sun.
Place the baby in a room with an open window. You can also place it in a room with a fan or air conditioner.
Remove or loosen the clothes. If the clothes are completely removed, place the baby on a towel that can absorb sweat, then dry the body with a washcloth or a cool damp cotton cloth.
When finished, you don't need to dry your little one with a towel. Let the ambient air dry naturally.
Apply calamine lotion to the skin and avoid getting it in the eyes.

So that his skin does not hurt every time he scratches the part of his body that is affected by prickly heat, you can put your little one with gloves or cut his nails regularly.

Prevention of prickly heat in babies

Prickly heat in infants is generally preventable. Well, there are several ways that you can do, namely:

Wear loose-fitting clothes that are soft on the baby, such as cotton that absorbs sweat. Avoid using diapers with plastic edges.
Make sure the baby continues to receive breast milk or formula. Also give enough water if he is 6 months and over.
Use baby soap that does not contain fragrance and does not dry out the skin.
Avoid using talcum powder on babies, because it can harm breathing.
Make sure the baby is not hot.

If your baby's prickly heat doesn't go away in 3-4 days, the rash gets worse, or is accompanied by fever and pus coming out of red spots, immediately take your little one to the doctor for an examination and get treatment.

How to deal with prickly heat in babies

The appearance of a rash with small raised spots on the skin is a sign of prickly heat. Although generally harmless, prickly heat can interfere with baby's comfort. Come on, Mother, apply the following ways to deal with prickly heat in babies.

Prickly heat can appear due to humid and hot weather or if your little one has a fever and sweats a lot. This condition will cause the baby's skin pores to become clogged and sweat can't come out. Prickly heat usually appears in the neck, chest, head, forehead, armpits, groin or groin area, as well as in other folds of the baby's skin. Babies and children are very susceptible to prickly heat because their skin pores are smaller than the pores of adults. In addition, sweat glands and ducts in infants and children are also not fully developed.

5 Ways to Overcome Prickly Heat in Babies

Prickly heat usually goes away and goes away on its own within a few days, unless the prickly heat becomes infected. Mothers can reduce the itching and discomfort experienced by the Little One due to prickly heat. Here are some ways to deal with prickly heat in babies that you can apply at home:

1. Avoid hot and humid air

The first way to deal with prickly heat in babies is to move your little one to a cool and shady room. If you use an air conditioner or fan, it is advisable not to direct the wind directly at your little one's body. In addition, if you want to leave the house, don't forget to bring a fan and a hat for him. Oh yes, Mother, also make sure your little one drinks enough water. The point is to replace all the fluids lost through sweat so that the baby does not become dehydrated.

2. Use clothes made of natural fibers

It is recommended to choose clothes from natural fibers for your little one, for example those made of cotton. Avoid wearing clothes made of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, as these types of fabrics trap heat. In addition, give your baby loose clothes, or occasionally leave your little one without clothes and diapers for some time. However, make sure it's not cold.

3. Don't often hold the baby

Carrying a baby when the weather is hot is not recommended if you want to deal with prickly heat in babies. When carried, your little one has to deal with two sources of heat, namely the weather and the mother's body temperature. If you want to carry it in hot weather, wear clothes that are light, soft, and absorb sweat.

Read Too : Come on, Know the Right Way to Carry a Baby According to Age

4. Keep baby's skin cool

One way to deal with prickly heat in babies is to cool the baby's skin with prickly heat using a cool wet cloth. Or, it could be by bathing it.

5. Use lotions and creams only when needed

If your little one cries when you touch his skin, apply calamine lotion to his skin. However, do not apply lotion to the skin near the baby's eyes. If your little one's prickly heat is very severe, use hydrocortisone cream according to the doctor's advice. It is recommended not to use other types of ointments and lotions, because they can make the rash worse.

Prickly heat usually goes away on its own. However, how to deal with prickly heat in babies above, you can also try yourself at home. See a doctor immediately if prickly heat in infants is accompanied by fever over 38°C, shortness of breath, rash that doesn't go away after more than a week, seems to be getting worse, or is infected.