It is a skin disease which results in small and itchy rashes. It is also called as prickly heat or sweat rash. It is generally occurs in hot and humid conditions such as during summers and tropics. It can affect people of all ages and is commonly found in infants and children due to their underdeveloped sweat glands. It can affect up to 30% of the people exposed to such kind of climatic conditions. There are tiny clear or red bumps on the skin which are nothing but the plugged sweat glands with accumulated dead skin cells.

Cause

If one has been exposed to perspiration for a long time, it can lead to plugging of sweat ducts which results in the ducts to break open and the escape of the sweat below the skin causes miliaria. Climatic changes from temperate to tropical results in miliaria. Immature eccrine ducts as in neonates can cause miliaria. The glands easily rupture when sweating is induced which leads to miliaria. There are certain drugs which cause or aggravate miliaria such as Bethanechol which promotes sweating and isotretinoin which affects follicular differentiation causes miliaria.

Symptoms

Typical spots develop in the skin folds and on the body, mainly in the areas of friction from clothing. It is characterized by red papules which may be present in large numbers. It is characterized by intense discomfort, some itching and an unbearable pricking sensation. In the case of infants, the lesions appear not only on the neck, groin and armpits but also on the face and other parts of the body. Once miliaria triggers, it lasts for around five to six weeks despite the best treatments undertaken since the plugs which form in the sweat duct openings can only be cast off by the outward growth of the sweat duct cells which can take many weeks.

Treatment

Although there is little in the way of specific medical treatments, in many cases the rashes disappear by themselves within several weeks. One should avoid further sweating by staying in air-conditioned environment as it offers relief. Vitamin A and C supplements help in shortening the length of the symptoms. One should not irritate the skin and avoid excessive clothing. Anti-itch lotions can be used for controlling the itching. Topical steroids can also give reasonable relief. Bacterial overgrowth can be controlled by antiseptics and antistaphylococcal antibiotics.

Instead of taking medication, one can keep the skin clean by taking a number of showers in order to keep the affected areas clean and sweat free. In case it persists, it is advisable to consult a doctor for treatment.