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Ease the Wildfire Rash

Have you ever felt a prickly sensation after a brisk run or a bike ride? This sensation of “prickly heat” is a heat rash, and your Knoxville Dermatology team knows just how to ease those symptoms.

Also known as summer rash or wildfire rash, heat rash happens when your sweat gets pushed or leaks into the deeper layers of your epidermis. This causes small red bumps and the itchy, prickly feeling. Once you feel that, remove a few layers or loosen your clothing to let your skin breath. Sometimes wearing clothing that’s too thick or too tight can cause your skin to block the sweat glands.

It’s also important to allow your body to cool down. Find a shady spot to rest while you drink some water, but do not towel dry your skin because this may cause further irritation. If your heat rash is particularly prickly, calamine lotion or aloe vera ointments help alleviate the symptoms. You should always consult a doctor before applying any other ointment to your skin. Rash irritation can be easily addressed, and these tips will help bring comfort so you can get back outside and enjoy the summer.

If you have any questions about heat rash or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Heat Rash in the Summertime

What better time than the summer to take the family to World’s Fair Park and run around in the fountains. Or spend Saturday morning walking around Market Square to enjoy the Knoxville farmer’s market. We talked about protecting your skin with SPF 30 and wearing proper clothes, but sometimes covering up too much can cause a heat rash.

But what is a heat rash? Heat rashes are red or pink bumps on your skin. They develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and begin to swell. Usually found in babies, heat rash may also affect adults in hot, humid climates. While you sweat, some clothes can block sweat glands, causing the sweat to leak into surrounding tissue. Adults commonly develop heat rash in folds of skin and wherever else clothing causes friction. Babies experience heat rash when they are not comfortably dressed for the weather or activities in hot, humid weather. Both babies and adults should wear breathable clothing while out in the sun.

The symptoms of heat rashes vary from small, superficial blisters to deep red lumps or lesions. Most people experience heat rash in the topmost layer of skin. Clear, fluid-filled bumps that aren’t itchy or painful show up on your skin where you’ve sweated excessively. Some people also experience “prickly heat”. With this form of heat rash, you will experience itchy or “prickly” red bumps in areas with little to no sweating. A less common form of heat rash, called miliaria rubra, affects the dermis or second layer of skin. These rashes appear soon after exercising or any activity that may cause sweat.

Wearing breathable clothing can help prevent heat rash. But if you begin experiencing heat rash, try to cool off in the shade. Let the affected area air dry and drink water. Heat rash usually subsides soon after you cool off. You should contact one of our certified physicians if your symptoms last for a few days or if your rash gets worse. You should also contact our physicians if you notice any signs of infection such as increased pain or swelling, swollen lymph nodes, or if you experience a fever or chills.

If you have any questions about any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.