Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is generally harmless.
It is not considered too serious a health condition, but it is certainly uncomfortable.
A heat rash can appear suddenly and can be quite alarming to look at.
Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped under the skin.
A heat rash occurs when your baby/child has become too hot and overheated usually in a humid climate or particularly hot weather.
Babies are especially susceptible to heat rash as their sweat glands are still developing.
Due to the smaller and under developed sweat glands a baby is less able to regulate their body temperature.
Additionally, babies tend to have more skin folds which can trap heat and sweat.
This lends to why babies are more vulnerable to heat rash than adults or older children.
There are different types of heat rash and differing severity.
In most cases the rash will go away on its own without treatment.
However, there are strategies that can aid in ensuring your baby is more comfortable and to treat the symptoms.
Sometimes other rashes are mistakenly called heat rash so if in doubt it is best to seek medical attention. It is recommended that if it is still there after a few hours to get it checked by a Dr.