During hot weather, the skin of little ones can become covered with small, very characteristic red spots. Even if they are perfectly benign, they require adopting the right reflexes to limit their discomfort.

Also called sweat dermatitis, bourbouille or sudamina, heat rash occurs mainly between the age of 15 days and 2 years. They testify to the immaturity of the sweating mechanisms in toddlers. As long as the ambient temperature is too high and / or they are too covered, the ducts of their sweat glands become blocked. Instead of being evacuated, their perspiration is retained in the stratum corneum, on the surface of the epidermis, hence the appearance of pimples. In older children, heat rash most often coincides with areas of pressure, friction, between large sweatpants and clothes, the stroller, the bed, etc.

Small, red and rough pimples, heat rash manifests in the form of patches, most often in the chest, shoulders and neck. They can be accompanied by itching but this is not systematic. More rarely, they can be found in the folds (elbow, knee, groin). But they should not then be confused with eczema lesions.

It will be necessary to consult if the heat sores are accompanied by fever, lymph nodes, if they become purulent or even worsen over the days. There is always a risk of superinfection in the event of scratching or progression to eczematous lesions.

When the temperatures rise, leave your baby shirtless as often as possible or wearing a loose-fitting white cotton t-shirt. Above all, forget the rides in a baby carrier, it would be way too hot stuck against you. He will be best in a pram where the air circulates more and where he can move as he pleases. In any case, you should avoid walks during the hottest hours of the day.

At home, to refresh it, do not hesitate to bathe it two or three times a day for a few minutes in a temperature of 33 °. Unless the tap water is too hard or your child has very dry skin. It is therefore better to be content with a small daily bath and use a sprayer the rest of the time. In any case, dry it thoroughly, without rubbing.

The heat rashes disappear as they came as soon as the temperatures become more bearable again. They do not require any special treatment. If, however, your child seems embarrassed and itches, you can apply compresses soaked in cold water or an antipruritic emollient (Xeracalm from Avène, Cicaplast balm B5 from La Roche-Posay, etc.) to his lesions. If the lesions are particularly red, especially in the folds, you can apply a repairing and healing lotion or ointment based on copper and zinc sulphate (Cicalfate d’Avène, Cicaplast de la Roche-Posay, etc.).