Coconut oil for heat rash on babies: Signs, Symptoms & Natural Treatments

Signs, Symptoms & Natural Treatments

Nearly half of all infants develop baby heat rash. Learn what it is, how to spot it, and get the most effective natural remedies and prevention tips.

It’s likely that at some point during the early days of parenthood, every new mama or papa will completely panic over an obscure rash on their little one’s skin—even baby acne or cradle cap can come as a surprise! Most often these skin conditions aren’t preventable and are nothing to worry about—they’re just part of being a fresh baby with ultra-sensitive skin. And baby heat rash is no different.

What Is Baby Heat Rash?

A heat rash—also known as “prickly heat” or miliaria—is a superficial skin rash that occurs most often in infants, but can also occur in adults, says Dr. Eboni Hollier, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician.

Baby heat rash affects up to 40 percent of infants and usually appears during the first month of life. — source

Baby heat rash generally causes small bumps on the surface of the skin, and may feel itchy or tingly, similarly to eczema but without the dryness. (source)

What Causes Baby Heat Rash?

Heat rash generally occurs in hot, humid weather, when pores become blocked and trap sweat. (source)

“Instead of evaporating, perspiration remains trapped beneath the skin, causing inflammation and rash,” — Dr Mark Koh Jean Aan, Pediatric Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Babies are more likely to develop heat rash because their pores are underdeveloped and get blocked easily. In addition to overall climate, babies may also be experience heat rash as a result of external factors like:

• Being dressed too warmly
• Being dressed in thick or synthetic fabrics that don’t allow sweat to evaporate normally
• Using heavy lotions and creams
• Developing a fever

It’s most common to spot this type of rash on areas where skin touches skin, causing friction: the neck, armpits, and thigh areas.

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What Does Baby Heat Rash Look Like?

There are two main types of baby heat rash to watch for:

• Miliaria crystallina is the most common form of baby heat rash. (source) This form of heat rash causes small clear or white bumps filled with fluid on the surface of baby’s skin.

Baby Heat Rash Pictures: Miliaria Crystallina

(source)

• Miliaria rubra is more common in adults and can cause more discomfort, since it occurs deeper in the epidermis. It is characteristic of red bumps and itching or prickling. (source)

Baby Heat Rash Pictures: Miliaria Rubra

(source)

Home Remedies for Baby Heat Rash

Search for home remedies for baby heat rash and you’ll turn up hundreds of results, but there are a few tried-and-true solutions that experts swear by:

• • Oatmeal baths:  Oats contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can soothe itchiness related to baby heat rash. Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath to help your little one find relief.
  • Calendula: The herb is known for its naturally astringent properties. Dr. Dave Jenkins, owner of Florida-based Seminole Chiropractic Center, recommends adding a few drops of calendula oil to your baby’s bath water and let child soak for 15-20 minutes. You can also apply directly to skin as long as you use a safe, pre-diluted oil like this one on baby’s sensitive skin.
  • Baking soda: Baking soda is known to remove dead cells and other dirt that block spores, giving heat rash less of a chance to hang around. Simply add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bath water.
  • Aloe vera: When heat rash strikes, aloe vera can help soothe and cool the affected area. Either slice an actual leaf open or buy a pre-extracted aloe gel product and apply to the rash.

• Cucumbers: You’ve probably heard the saying “cool as a cucumber,” and it’s for good reason—the vegetable is known for its soothing properties.  Apply slices directly to the affected parts of your baby’s skin and wash off with cool water. You can also apply cucumber pulp to the rash prior to your baby’s bath, allowing it to cool skin down before removing.
• Olive oil/coconut oil: In studies, plant oils can help heal the skin. Olive and coconut oils, in particular, stop itching related to heat rash and also promote skin regeneration. Rub extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil on the rash a few times daily until it heals.
• Chamomile: Research shows the herb naturally soothes skin and reduces inflammation. Soak a few chamomile tea bags in warm (not hot!) water and place the soaked chamomile tea bags on the affected areas.
• Fuller’s Earth Clay: In studies, bentonite clays soothe skin sores. Fuller’s Earth is a type of bentonite clay known for unclogging pores and keeping skin’s oil production in check. Add a little water to three tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth and mix to form a thick paste. Apply it to the rash and allow it to dry completely before rinsing with cold water.

How Long Does Heat Rash Last?

Most of the time baby heat rash does not require treatment and should subside within 3-4 days.

Call your doctor if:

• Your baby develops a fever or chills.
• Your baby shows signs of dehydration.
• Your baby has a decreased desire or ability to feed.
• The area develops pus, redness, crusting, swelling, or tenderness. This could be a sign of infection.
• The heat rash does not seem to be going away or gets worse.

How to Prevent Heat Rash

First and foremost, Hollier says treatment of heat rash includes keeping the skin cool and dry—whether indoors or out.

Here’s how:

• Avoid hot or humid conditions. When it’s particularly warm out, stay inside or take frequent breaks in air-conditioned places.
• Avoid using mineral oil-based products.  Products like baby oil and petroleum jelly can clog the pores of the skin, leading to baby heat rash. Instead, try pure coconut oil or whipped Shea butter with coconut oil, both of which provide moisture without hindering breathability.
• Skip soap. Unless they had a particularly messy day, it’s perfectly fine to bathe your little one with only water. If you must use soap, try this olive oil-based one.
• Use fragrance-free products. Approximately 8-15 percent of people with contact dermatitis have a fragrance sensitivity. In fact, fragrances account for as much as 45 percent of reactions to cosmetics. (source) Be sure to use fragrance-free laundry detergent, household cleaners, and personal care products.
• Dress your child appropriately. Dress your child in clothing that keeps the skin cool and dry. Use only breathable fabrics like organic cotton and linen, rather than synthetic blends. Better yet, try giving your little one some skin-to-skin time when you feel him getting warm.  
• Keep baby hydrated! Keeping your baby hydrated can help keep heat rash at bay, so make sure baby is properly breast- or bottle-fed before heading outdoors, and keep her on a regular schedule even while enjoying fun in the sun.

Remember…

Babies have sensitive skin, so your go-to method for keeping their skin happy should include using gentle products, limiting time spent in hot temperatures, and dressing them appropriately.

If your little one does get a heat rash, take heart in the fact that it’s very common and typically easily treated in the comfort of your own home.

How About You?

Has your baby ever had heat rash? How did you treat it? How long did it take to go away?

Signs, Symptoms, and Natural Remedies

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Baby heat rash is a rash that typically presents as red skin with clear or white bumps. They are commonly found on your child’s face, neck, groin, under folds of skin, or along the body’s midsection, though they can appear anywhere. This generally benign rash is also called “miliaria” and “prickly heat,” as it results in an itchy or tingly feeling for your baby.

Baby heat rash itself is generally harmless and easily treatable. But in some cases, it can point to another, more severe issue, such as overheating or dehydration. Here are some tips for recognizing baby heat rash, what tends to cause it, and how to treat it.

Recognizing and Treating Baby Heat Rash

Doctors typically categorize heat rash into three types depending on the severity of the rash:

• Miliaria Ruba: The most common type of heat rash. It occurs when a blockage in the sweat glands happens near the surface of your baby’s skin, resulting in bumps, redness, and itching.¹
• Miliaria Crystallina: The most benign form of heat rash. It happens due to a blockage in the sweat glands in the epidermis (top layer of skin). It presents as tiny clear or white blisters.²
• Miliaria Profunda: This type of heat rash is most severe but uncommon. It happens when sweat in the dermis (or the second layer of skin) leaks into the dermis. This can cause intense flushing and burning. Babies with miliaria profunda may also develop signs of heat exhaustion and skin infection.³

What Causes Baby Heat Rash?

Hot and humid conditions generally trigger the onset of a baby’s heat rash. This can mean a hot and humid climate, a fever, or an over-exposure to sunlight. It can also include an external heat source such as a floor heater and/or too many layers of clothing covering your baby’s skin. Under these conditions, your baby’s body temperature rises and their body tries to sweat, but their pores become blocked, trapping sweat instead of releasing it. This, in turn, leads to inflammation of the skin and your little one’s discomfort and itchy feeling.

Babies are more physically prone to heat rash for several reasons. First, they have smaller sweat glands and their pores are not fully developed and can get blocked more easily. They are also less able to regulate their body temperature than adults. Babies also have little control over their environment. They cannot remove extra clothing themselves and can’t move away from a heat source that may be bothering them. Babies also have more skin folds (neck, thighs, groin, etc.) that trap heat and sweat, leading to heat rash.

What Are Signs & Symptoms?

The signs of heat rash are typically noticeable, but rashes can be easier to see on lighter skin and harder to detect on darker pigmentation. For most babies, however, the most apparent symptom of a heat rash is the appearance of a red rash on parts of their body. Particularly areas where friction can occur, such as folds of the skin or body parts covered by clothes or exposed to a direct heat source. Your baby’s body might feel particularly warm in that area, so note if their skin temperature seems hotter there than in other parts of their body.

Visible symptoms can include a red rash, tiny blisters covering a large area of skin, warm skin, or your baby’s discomfort in the form of squirming, scratching, or crying. Depending on the type of heat rash your baby is suffering from, they may display different symptoms.

• Miliaria Rubra leads to scratching because it causes itching. It looks like tiny red bumps and blisters on red or inflamed skin.¹
• Miliaria Crystallina produces tiny, pin-sized blisters that look like little beads of water or sweat trapped under the skin, and the blisters may not be red or inflamed.²
• Miliaria Profunda usually causes blisters that look like pimples and are located more deeply in the skin; these blisters are generally skin-colored. If a blister becomes infected, it can be a symptom of miliaria pustulosa, a condition that appears as irritated pustules that look like painful blisters. These may scab over or break open and bleed and may require medical attention. ³

How Do I Treat It?

Remove Clothing: The first step to treating your baby’s heat rash is to remove clothing, blankets, or swaddle entirely. This starts the process of cooling them down. Check all areas to see where the heat rash has appeared on your baby’s body and allow cool, dry air to reach your baby’s skin. Don’t let baby get cold, though. If baby has cooled down, you can put loose, cotton clothing back on.

Bathe Baby: Next, bathe your baby in lukewarm water (don’t use cold water, as this could shock their system given the extreme difference between cold water and excess heat). Consider adding raw oatmeal or a gentle baby body wash containing colloidal oatmeal (see “Natural Remedies for Baby Heat Rash” for specific product recommendations.)

Lower Surrounding Temperature: If you have an air conditioner, turn that on to a comfortable temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, you can take your baby outside if the air is cooler there. Another option is taking baby for a stroll inside a cooled down space such as a library, air-conditioned mall, or shopping center.

Natural Remedies for Baby Heat Rash

After cooling down your baby’s body temperature and ensuring that they are hydrated internally with milk, water, or formula, natural remedies can also be a great way to help soothe your baby’s skin. Plant-based products can provide relief for your little one’s inflamed and irritated skin and can be a great anecdote to your baby’s discomfort.

Aloe Vera

If you have an aloe vera plant at home, cut a branch off and rub the jelly onto the irritated skin. The jelly will dry quickly, and studies show that this plant reduces inflammation and can treat minor skin irritations.⁴ You can also buy aloe vera gel, but choose one with limited or zero preservatives and additives. Or try a live plant.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties.⁶ Try adding half a cup into your baby’s lukewarm bath and gently pressing it against their skin once the oatmeal has soaked up water. Try adding raw oats to the baby’s bath. Or try an oatmeal bath wash.

Calendula Oil

Apply diluted baby-friendly calendula oil onto your child’s rash or put a few drops of the oil into a lukewarm bath and let baby soak in the water. This plant-based oil is derived from marigold flowers and has anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities to soothe baby heat rash.⁷

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is known for relaxation and helping to soothe the body’s central nervous system.⁵ Apply a few dabs of pure lavender oil to the back of your baby’s neck for soothing aromatic therapy. This will help your baby settle down and encourage your baby’s body to relax, sleep, and renew itself.

Baking Soda

Add ¼ to ½ cup to your baby’s bath for a gentle cleanse of your baby’s skin. This will help prevent infection while the lukewarm bathwater cools down their skin.

Cucumbers

Use raw cucumber pulp to cool down the baby’s hot skin. Slice a cucumber and or spoon out the pulp and mash it up. Touch the inside of the cucumber to the baby’s skin for a cooling effect. You can also use a baby-safe after bath product that contains cucumber.

Coconut Oil

After bathing your baby in lukewarm water, pat dry and gently apply coconut oil on the affected areas of your baby’s skin. Coconut oil is known to soothe itchy skin, hydrate the skin naturally, and even has some antifungal and astringent properties.^8,9

As always, call your doctor immediately if your baby:

• Develops a high fever or has chills.
• Shows signs of dehydration, such as slack skin and dark-colored urine
• She doesn’t seem as hungry or has difficulty feeding.
• Has a rash with pus in addition to redness, crusting, swelling, or tenderness.
• Has heat rash that sticks around even after you’ve treated it, or the rash seems to be worsening.

care and treatment products » Pharmvestnik

Baby’s skin always requires attention and daily care. But it is necessary to take care of children’s skin especially carefully in the summer, when hot weather and an abundance of sunlight can lead to unpleasant problems. And one of the most frequent seasonal troubles in babies of the first years of life is prickly heat.

What is it and why does it occur

Due to the imperfection of the thermoregulation system, babies quickly overheat in the heat and begin to sweat profusely. This leads to the fact that the sweat glands suffer from an increased load, and the skin develops irritation and rashes due to prolonged contact with slowly evaporating sweat. By itself, prickly heat is not dangerous and in most cases does not bother the baby, but it is undesirable to leave its appearance unattended, because. constant irritation and increased moisture of the skin create optimal conditions for the development of bacterial conditions that in children of the first years of life arise very easily and can spread quickly.

The main thing that is required when caring for a child in case of prickly heat is to ensure a more favorable temperature regime (do not overheat, do not dress too warmly) and careful hygiene, with bathing or wiping the skin at least 3 times a day. In order to speed up the disappearance of the rash with prickly heat, you can use external medicines that have drying, antiseptic or astringent effects. But without a doctor’s prescription, this can only be recommended if the child does not have any contraindications, in the first place — a tendency to allergic reactions and atopic dermatitis!

Powders and powders

The most famous remedy for preventing the appearance of diaper rash and prickly heat in babies is, of course, ordinary baby powders — based on talc, corn or rice starch. They allow you to remove excess moisture from baby skin and reduce mechanical irritation at the points of contact with the diaper or clothing folds. Today, baby powders are produced not only in the form of a traditional powder, but also in a “liquid” form, which is more evenly applied to the skin, dries instantly and forms the thinnest protective layer.

For the prevention of prickly heat and skin care in case of a rash, it is better to give preference to products based on mineral talc — without the addition of oils and other fatty components, or choose a powder that additionally includes zinc (it has a drying and slight anti-inflammatory effect). Powders with dry extracts of medicinal plants — chamomile, calendula, lavender — have also proven themselves well.

Baths and rubdowns

Regular use of baths and rubdowns with extracts of medicinal plants and a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) gives a good disinfecting and soothing effect.

Extracts of medicinal plants — string, chamomile, calendula, yarrow — have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, but because their effect does not develop immediately, it is desirable to start using at the first signs of prickly heat. And of course, all medicinal plants that are taken to prepare decoctions added to the bath should be purchased only at a pharmacy.

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing

In most cases, the hygiene and care practices described above are sufficient to eliminate the symptoms of miliaria. If the rash is very pronounced, one of the external preparations of dexpanthenol (Panthenol, Bepanthen, D-Panthenol, Pantoderm, etc. ) in the form of an aerosol, cream or emulsion can be recommended. Such products have a well-established anti-inflammatory effect and accelerate the processes of skin regeneration in case of microdamages and irritation.

Miramistin solution can be used as an antiseptic to prevent inflammation and bacterial infections.

As a drying, astringent and antiseptic, external preparations containing zinc oxide are traditionally recommended — Diaderm, Desitin, Tsindol, Zinc ointment, etc. Zinc oxide eliminates inflammation and irritation, has an adsorbing effect and protects the skin from the influence of aggressive factors.

But the most important thing that parents of a small child should not forget is that if, following all the recommendations, the manifestations of prickly heat do not decrease within 4-5 days, or some new symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, because. in children, many skin problems are very similar.

Our expert

Elena Igorevna Kovernaya, Ph. D. honey. Sci., pediatrician, dermatologist of the highest qualification category of the MEDSI Children’s Clinic in Blagoveshchensky Lane.

The cause of prickly heat lies in the immaturity of the baby’s sweat glands. Therefore, the main recommendations are the rules of care: dress the baby according to the weather, take air baths, bathe with the addition of disinfectant herbs such as sage or chamomile, thoroughly dry the baby’s large folds: cervical, axillary and inguinal. As well as the use of powders with the inclusion of mineral components. It is very important to exclude starch, as it rolls in the folds and causes inflammation. There are two types of prickly heat: crystalline and red. Crystal —

this is the easiest option, and mothers can cope with it on their own with the help of the elementary care described earlier, and prickly heat is when a secondary infection joins, which already requires the help of a doctor and specific treatment.

10 natural ways to beat prickly heat

Rashes are very different. They often itch and sometimes hurt. Heat rash, or prickly heat, is one of the most common types of skin rashes.

Miliaria can develop all over the body, but most often appears on the face, neck, back, chest and thighs. Many try to cure it with expensive drugs, but there is a worthy replacement for everything, and this case is no exception.

Depending on the symptoms that appear on the skin, there are three types of prickly heat:

Milliaria crystalline.

These are small blisters, 1–2 mm in diameter, that fill with a clear liquid, like water droplets, but without skin redness.

Location: forehead, neck, back and chest.

Red prickly heat (urticaria).

These are small blisters, also 1-2 mm in diameter, red. Usually bubbles appear in different places, but can also be grouped. The rash is usually accompanied by severe itching and pain when sweating. This type of sweating is the most common.

Location: parts of the body covered by clothing.
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Common Milliaria.
These are white dead spots from 1 to 3 mm, which are accompanied by reddening of the skin and itching. This type of sweating is rare.

Location: whole body.

Prevention of prickly heat.

• Avoid tight clothing that can irritate the skin.
• In hot weather, stay in the shade or in a room that is cooled by an air conditioner with good air circulation.
• Sleep in a well-ventilated and cool room.
• Shower in cold water with non-drying soap, fragrance-free and color-free.
• Do not use creams or oils in hot weather — they do not prevent prickly heat and can block pores.

Here are 10 natural home remedies for prickly heat:

1. Olive oil.
Olive oil contains a lot of vitamin E and helps to restore skin cells after itching. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, relieving scabies.

Olive oil can be mixed with honey and applied to the affected areas until completely healed. The composition of the oil also includes squalene, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

In addition, coconut and castor oils are good for prickly heat.

2. Soda.
Prepare a refreshing compress for prickly heat: add 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 glass of cold water. Wet a clean handkerchief and wring it out.

Apply cloth to affected skin. Water will reduce inflammation, and soda will ease irritation and relieve itching. For a quick result, repeat the procedure 4-5 times a day.

3. Oatmeal.
Oatmeal is an excellent home remedy for prickly heat. Add some oatmeal to your bath water, mix well.

Take this bath for 15 minutes to relax the skin, make it smoother and silky. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day.

4. Aloe Vera.
This wonder herb is used to treat skin conditions because of its anti-inflammatory, emollient, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
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Apply aloe leaf gel to affected skin areas. Leave for a while, then rinse with cold water.

5. Cold compress.
Ice is another life saver for prickly heat, which is caused by heat and a humid climate. Although it is used quite rarely, it is not inferior in effectiveness to many others. Cold relieves inflammation, swelling and itching.

Rub small ice cubes on the affected area to reduce sensitivity. Wrap the ice in a cloth or bandage so as not to touch the skin directly, otherwise irritation may increase.

6. Apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is also great for rashes and itching. Acetic acid helps to cope with skin allergies and infections.

Soak a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar and apply to the affected area. If irritation suddenly begins, dilute the vinegar with water to reduce the acidity. Do not try to endure the burning — it will only get worse!

7. Nim.
The leaves of the neem tree are a miracle cure popular in Indian medicine. Neem has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal and antiviral properties.

It is used as a remedy for acne, rashes, eczema, scabies and psoriasis. It also contains antioxidants that nourish the skin and slow down the aging process.

Take some neem leaves and grind them into a paste by mixing with water. Apply the ointment to the affected areas of the skin and leave to dry completely.

8. Chamomile.
Chamomile is an effective remedy for mild rashes. It has an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect, relieving itching and smoothing the skin.

Soak a piece of cloth in the chamomile solution and apply to the affected area. Do this compress twice a day until the rash goes away. You can also dilute a couple of drops of chamomile extract in coconut oil for better results.

9. Coriander.
Coriander is great for skin irritation and rashes because it contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents.

Apply coriander paste to the affected area.