Yikes, it's suddenly hot. Now it's time to show skin if it weren't for the pustules. Heat pimples are the nerve saws that we would like to get rid of. We say how!
Heat pimples are mostly associated with babies and toddlers, but adults are also affected. The good news in advance: Heat pimples are absolutely harmless to health. But they can bother us, cause a nasty itch and a burning sensation on the surface of the skin and cause inflammation. The pimples particularly like to spread out on parts of the body where there are many sweat glands. This includes above all armpits, décolleté, back, buttocks, thighs and arms. Where we definitely don't need them, and when they're already there, we can't always cover them completely with clothes.
Heat pimples are particularly easy for babies and toddlers, because the skin pores are still relatively small, which can quickly cause constipation of the sweat glands. The pimples then arise primarily by wearing clothes that are too warm and thick or by wearing a diaper.
What are heat pimples?
Heat pimples are small blisters / pustules on the skin that arise when the ducts of the sweat glands become blocked. Often, in summer, when there is heat and high humidity, that's why they are often called heat rash or sweat blisters. They occur more often in skin folds or areas where there are a particularly large number of sweat glands, such as in the armpits, on the décolleté or between the shoulders.
What types of heat pimples are there?
There are four types of heat pimpleswho have different symptoms.
- Miliaria cristallina: This is the mildest form. On the epidermis, the outer cell layer of the skin / epidermis (also known as stratum corneum), small, colorless pimples develop as a result of the closure of the sweat glands. The vesicles are free of bacteria, sometimes they are filled with very little liquid. The heat pimples can burst after a certain time.
- Miliaria rubra: There is a narrowing below the granular cell layer (stratum granulosom), deeper sweat glands. Compared to the upper heat pimple, this is the third layer of the epidermis, which in this case is affected by heat pimples. The blisters are red and the affected skin is itchy. Bacteria or an irritative perspiration effect are responsible for triggering Miliaria rubra.
- Miliaria pustulosa: A stronger bacterial attack, also known as bacterial superinfection, is the cause of this form of heat pimples. The pimples usually ignite and begin to develop purulent pustules.
- Miliaria profunda: This type of heat pimples is rare. In Miliaria profunda, the deep ducts are blocked. The result is firm, often painful knots.
What are the symptoms of heat pimples?
The rash is particularly evident
- Formation of vesicles / small pimples
- Burn
- itching
The vesicles are usually the size of a millet grain and are located on the surface of the skin, more precisely: where you have a lot of sweat glands and therefore often sweat. The heat pimples are usually filled with a clear to milky liquid. Depending on the degree of constipation of the sweat glands, the pimples can be very painful and cause a burning or itching sensation on the skin surface.
What to do about heat pimples?
The small superficial heat pimples appear quickly when the body is overheated and itchy – but they also quickly disappear when the body cools down.
Tip: If the white pimples persist longer, treatment with skin gel containing zinc or silica often helps. Alternatively, medicines from homeopathy help.
If you are prone to heat pimples, you can also prevent: Enzyme peels gently cleanse even sensitive and impure skin and prevent clogged sebaceous glands.
In the event of severe itching, especially with small, red pimples (Miliaria rubra), a doctor should be consulted. This can come to you after an examination anti-itch-relieving anti-allergy medication (antihistamines) prescribe against the heat pimples. As a rule, a zinc-based cream is also often prescribed, because it has an anti-inflammatory effect, supports wound healing and reduces itching.
Immediate measures for heat pimples
- Get out of the heat and look for a cooler place.
- Do not wear clothing that is too warm or too tight. Airy clothes made of cotton and linen, on the other hand, are good materials in summer in which the body does not sweat too quickly, which means that the sweat glands do not clog as quickly and the production of heat pimples is largely avoided.
- Thick and warm bedding should also be avoided.
- Please don't scratch, no matter how itchy. Rather alleviate this by tapping or cooling the affected area of skin.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, hot spices and sumptuous meals that increase the production of sweat and favor annoying heat pimples – Sage tea drink.
- A special powder from the pharmacy that can absorb sweat and soothe and keep the skin dry (e.g. with silver) helps to prevent sweat production, so that the spread of bacteria is prevented as far as possible and heat pimples do not arise.
- Alternatively there is a specially developed antiperspirantThat if you sweat profusely, it should work wonders.
- Thermal water spray is good for the skin and is particularly practical for on the go. With contents such as minerals, trace elements and silica, it soothes the skin, so that the itching of the heat pimples has ended for the time being.
- Other tips: Use sunscreen without preservatives and fragrances. The skin is not irritated unnecessarily, it does not itch and heat pimples have a hard time. We explain everything you should know about sunscreen.
- Home remedies: Lukewarm to cool showers are now a dream for your body. Alternatively, you can dab yourself with a damp washcloth.
It helps babies to change diapers more often to avoid a warm, humid climate. Even if they crawl more times without diapers, they prevent super heat pimples.
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