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Prickly heat is a rash that appears due to sweating and irritation from sweating the skin. It is known that our skin removes many toxins and harmful substances through sweat, but sometimes the sweat glands become clogged and problems begin.
Signs and symptoms of prickly heat in adults
In adulthood, prickly heat manifests itself in various ways and causes trouble to varying degrees, depending on its type.
Crystal prickly heat It is considered the most harmless type of prickly heat. It is a small pearly rash in the form of bubbles with a diameter of one to two millimeters. It appears as a result of active physical activity. It is characterized by little or no itching at all. Sometimes it starts to peel off and nothing more.
Red prickly heat refers to a more intense form. It looks like numerous point formations that merge into vast areas. Most often, it occurs in the area of the armpits, groin, and in the fairer sex, it also occurs in the chest region under the glands. The person feels a noticeable itch. This variety heals within a few weeks.
Prickly heat is deep (papular). The third stage, which manifests itself against the background of the appearance of the first two. It affects people who have moved to areas with a hot climate, and who have not immediately adapted to intense waterlogging.
Excessive sweating can cause swelling of the epidermis of the skin and blockage of the external ducts of the sweat glands. In this case, the output channels can be significantly stretched or even torn. The resulting nodules dry out with the formation of an unpleasant crust. In severe forms, the skin becomes dry. As a result, an infection can develop that turns into eczema. This form of prickly heat requires long-term treatment, which lasts for several months or even years, depending on the duration of exposure to adverse factors that cause it.
Causes of sweating
The main symptoms of prickly heat are redness and rashes in various areas of the skin, where moisture lingers for a long time. In addition to the previously listed, such areas include the bends of the limbs, the neck and back. Young children often develop symptoms of sweating on the buttocks. Often, such rashes appear as small blisters with a clear liquid inside, which then burst, causing the skin to peel and become excessively dry.
As a rule, prickly heat is accompanied by unfavorable external factors that provoke profuse sweating and it occurs mainly in closed areas of the body, where the skin remains moist for a long time. These factors can be:
long stay in hot environmental conditions;
intense physical activity (usually this applies primarily to adolescents);
emotional experiences leading to stress;
disorders of the nervous system;
various deviations in the functioning of the endocrine system;
excessive use of cosmetics that prevent natural air exchange on the surface of the skin;
wearing hats that, in hot weather, do not allow the skin to dry out quickly;
diseases that cause fever and, as a result, profuse sweating;
non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
excessive fullness.
It should be noted that children’s sweatshirt, as a rule, is not accompanied by any smell. But in adults, its appearance often causes unpleasant odors that create additional discomfort for a person. For these reasons, the timely treatment of this skin disorder contributes not only to gaining a good physical shape, but also helps a person psychologically.
Treatment of prickly heat in adults
In order to get rid of prickly heat, an adult must first of all focus on the general physical condition and try to get rid of too intense sweating. The use of external agents, such as formalin, various powders, and hygienic gels, helps to reduce sweating.
If the appearance of prickly heat is due to allergic reactions accompanied by edema, efforts should be made to reduce the effect of allergens, take antihistamines.
Hospitals offer patients a variety of options. reflexotherapyand physiotherapy procedures. Particular attention should be paid to the psychological state of the patient. With strong feelings and stresses, a person sweats much more intensely, thereby provoking the appearance of prickly heat. In such situations, doctors usually prescribe effective sedatives.
Now the use of Botox has become fashionable. However, although its injections help to improve the appearance, they can paralyze the nerve cells responsible for the proper functioning of the sweat glands. In this case, if excessive sweating causes too much trouble, it is possible to resort to surgical intervention. During the operation, the nerve associated with the sweat glands is crossed, which leads to the disappearance of sweating.
It is important to remember in the treatment of prickly heat, that it should not be cauterized, using, for example, tinctures with a high alcohol content. Such procedures lead to the formation of numerous small wounds, which bleed. It is much more difficult to cure such a condition.
Prevention of prickly heat in adults
People who are prone to prickly heat can largely prevent its recurrence on their own if they adhere to certain rules:
if possible, get rid of excess kilograms of weight;
in hot weather, wear light clothing based on natural breathable fabrics;
at the same time, clothing should not tightly fit the body;
avoid excessive physical exertion, especially in excessively hot weather;
change clothes more often to clean and dry ones;
take water procedures at least twice a day, after which wipe thoroughly;
limit sunbathing, which narrows disputes and increases the likelihood of prickly heat;
monitor the regular ventilation of the premises, avoiding high humidity and stuffiness.
Taking care of the normal condition of the skin, you also contribute to a more comfortable physical microclimate. After all, fresh clean clothes, ventilation of the room in the heat, the absence of excess weight are all positive components of a comfortable life.
Although prickly heat, as a rule, creates only minor troubles, manifesting itself rather purely outwardly, nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid its manifestation at all, rather than spend time and effort on subsequent treatment and the fight against possible relapses.