Injuring and sensitive baby skin is vigorously protesting against any incorrect external influence. Wet diapers, sultry and humid heat, a lot of unnecessary clothes threaten the emergence of prickly heat. The variety of its manifestations is dangerous in that young moms can easily confuse these rashes with symptoms of an allergic reaction or an infectious rash and not seek help from a doctor in time. In order not to be mistaken, you need to know the main signs of chick fever and see how it looks.
What is prickly heat
It is a non-contagious disease, which occurs most often in the heat of summer, but can also appear in the winter due to excessive wrapping of the baby. The imperfection of the ducts of the sweat glands, which are fully formed only by five to six years, disrupts the normal process of thermoregulation. With increased secretion of sweat, the sweat glands become clogged and tender, childish skin becomes irritated.
Types of prickly heat
Prickly heat can be of several types:
1. Red - separate nodules and bubbles are surrounded by reddened skin, but do not merge. Most often occurs in the folds of the skin - in the groin, armpits, on the neck. Rashes disturb the baby with severe itching and soreness on contact. Usually annoying within one to two weeks.
2. Crystal - small silvery or white bubbles appear on the body, face, neck of a child. When they coalesce, they form rather large spots and burst easily; in their place there are scaly areas. The rash does not torment the crumbs with itching or pain and dries out in two or three days.
3. Papular - appears a few hours after the baby has sweated. Small vesicles of the skin color appear on the dry skin of the limbs and body and, after a while, disappear without a trace.
Other species, white and yellow, are complicated forms.
Causes of prickly heat in children
It is not by chance that, most often, a tandem appears in places where access to air is difficult. Tight swaddling and excessively warm clothing in the hot season to a significant overheating of the baby. The secret that sweat glands produce is not able to evaporate, it accumulates and irritates delicate skin. However, there are other reasons:
- heat, stuffiness and humidity in the room - faithful henchmen;
- lack of regular baby bathing;
- hygienic use of too greasy cream - it violates the skin breathing and hampers heat transfer;
- an allergic reaction to synthetic materials of clothing or the quality of the diaper;
- excessive sweating during increased body temperature;
- absence or insufficiency of air baths;
- Too tight and warm clothes.
The most susceptible to the rash are weakened and premature babies who are overweight and have diabetes.
Symptoms of prickly heat in children
The main signs of prickly heat, the nature of the rash which depends on its type, is a rash, accompanied by reddening of the skin. It can be located only on one part of the body, for example, in the groin, or occupy a rather extensive space. In very small newborns, sleep disturbance and anxiety join. Pillaria is easily confused with chickenpox, measles or allergies, so if you have any doubts, it is better to consult a doctor.
In favor of the fact that skin rashes are just prickly heat, is the localization of the rash. The most frequent places of occurrence and causes of chilli are:
- neck - failure to comply with the rules of hygiene and heat;
- back - often the upper part. The reason is overheating and synthetic clothes;
- Ass - the constant wearing of a diaper and the use of fat cream;
- face - most likely, a rash indicates an allergic reaction, although it can sometimes appear due to the spread of prickly heat from the neck;
- on the head - only because of the constant wearing of the cap.
If necessary measures are taken in a timely manner, prickly heat disappears very quickly, which cannot be said of an allergic or infectious rash.
Photos of prickly heat in children
Prickly heat in children photo 1
Prickly heat in children photo 2
Prickly heat in children photo 3
Prickly heat in children photo 4
Attention! If the baby suffers from unbearable itching, there are pustules and cracks on the skin, and the temperature is elevated - a visit to the doctor is necessary!
Symptoms in which pediatric consultation is necessary include:
- swelling of the skin;
- cracks and sores emitting an unpleasant odor;
- severe pain, itching and burning;
- temperature rise.
These signs may indicate an accession of the infection, so the help of a doctor is necessary. Localization and the form of lesions usually does not cause difficulties for the pediatrician to make a correct diagnosis, only sometimes he prescribes the necessary tests or consultation of a dermatologist.
Methods of treating acne in children
For the effectiveness of treatment is required first of all to eliminate the causes of prickly heat. If the room is too hot, you should make sure that the air temperature does not exceed 20-22 degrees. When using synthetic fabrics, it is necessary to switch only to natural fiber clothing, and the toddler needs to be “aired” more often, leaving it without diapers. Mommy will have to stop being afraid that the baby will surely catch a cold without an extra blanket or too warm blouse, the normal air temperature will not allow it. When caring for baby, you should not use oils and fat creams - powders in this case will be much more effective.
The following measures will help to get rid of the problem quickly and reliably:
- it is better to bathe the baby with the use of decoctions of herbs - a string, yarrow, oak bark, chamomile. It is permissible to add herbs to the water both individually and in a complex, making 3 tablespoons of each of them in one liter of water. Chamomile will help get rid of the itch - for 10-15 minutes before bathing, you can wipe the affected areas with its decoction. Many mothers add a weak solution of potassium permanganate to bathing water, it has a drying effect;
- after the bath, the skin of the crumbs must be thoroughly wet in all hard-to-reach places and powdered with powder. The hygiene product contains starch, talc and zinc oxide. Some of them contain anesthesin, which has a cooling effect, and panthenol, which heals combed wounds. It is better not to pour the tool, and gently apply it with a cotton swab;
- special ointments and creams - "Drapolene", "Bepanten", "Desitin" - help speed up the process of the disappearance of the rash, only apply them with a thin layer and, preferably, do not wear a diaper until completely absorbed. If the potty appeared on the ass, it is better to forget about diapers for a while. Use of ointments must be coordinated with the doctor.
Means of traditional medicine: 7 leaves of laurel tree pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew and wipe the healed areas of skin.
There is a possibility that, in spite of all the efforts of the mother, it is not possible to get rid of the troubles. In this case, you need to visit a dermatologist, as it is possible that there is a bacterial infection, which can not be cured without antihistamines and antibiotics.
Attention! If it was not possible to get rid of prickly mouth in 3-4 days, the contents of the bubbles became yellow or white, the rash increased in size, and the baby is too restless - urgently to the doctor, complications are possible!
Prevention of prickly heat in children
Even in the presence of hot weather, if the child is properly dressed, the mother keeps the hygienic regime, and the father takes care of maintaining the necessary microclimate in the apartment, the baby will avoid the appearance of chickens. Clothes should be free and breathable, bathing daily, and changing diapers - regular. Air baths, avoiding thick swaddling and using only water-based creams or powders will also help protect against unpleasant rashes. Wash baby clothes should be only with the help of special hypoallergenic powders.
Prickly heat in children - the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky
Yevgeny Komarovsky warns that a rash is not a cause but a consequence, therefore, first of all, it should be established what caused it. Diathesis, mechanical damage, various infections, allergies and even a reaction to blood clotting can be factors for the appearance of skin rash. To begin with, you should try to determine whether the rash is dangerous or not, and then look for its culprit. If there are no signs of an infectious disease, the baby is cheerful and active, and of all the symptoms there is only a rash - the cause may be allergy, prickly heat, or insect bites. Mom will have to remember the previous day and try to figure out what could “sprinkle” the baby on - buying new clothes, eating an orange or biting small insects.
Attention! Dr. Komarovsky warns! If a rash on the skin of a child has elements of hemorrhage, and the baby has vomiting, call an ambulance immediately!
My favorite doctor states that with the onset of heat, the appearance of prickly heat is not at all uncommon. The accumulation of small pimples surrounded by reddened skin most often appears on the neck, gradually spreading to the face, back and chest, behind the ears. Dr. Komarovsky advises to dissolve a teaspoon of soda in a glass of water and a cotton ball soaked in a solution, with a light tap, wipe the affected areas several times a day. You can also use simple starch, using it instead of powder, but the main thing is to keep your baby naked in the heat as often as possible. Allow the baby to rest from the diapers and tight clothes, and his skin to enjoy the touch of cool air.
