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Pharmacy Links

SELF-HELP PREVENTION: HEAT RASH (PRICKLY HEAT) AND HEATSTROKE

April 23, 2009

Heat rash (prickly heat)

It is an itching skin condition caused by heavy sweating (usually in hot climates). Little red pimples occur in sweaty areas.

What causes it?

Inflammation of the sweat ducts.

Prevention

• In hot and sweaty climates reduce your physical activity and hence the amount you sweat.

• Don’t drink hot drinks.

• Wear as few clothes as possible, preferably made of light, natural fibres.

• Shower in tepid water and use no soap. Dry carefully and use a dusting powder.

• Soothe the bad areas with calamine lotion.

Heatstroke

Heat stroke is a condition in which the body is unable to lose heat, for example in extremely hot climates in which the air is hotter than the body so that the body does not lose heat into the air. It can also occur in very humid conditions in which the body is unable to sweat and so lose heat. The skin is hot, dry and red, and the sufferer has a rapid pulse and a high temperature and may also vomit and be irritable. If severe, it can lead to a coma.

What causes it?

An inability of the body to cool off by normal heat loss or via sweating (which also reduces body temperature).

Prevention

• Avoid extremely hot situations.

• Drink ice-cold liquids to lower the body temperature.

NB This is not a treatment. No one with this condition should be cooled quickly.

• When in hot climates wear thin, natural-fibre clothes and keep out of the direct sun.