Heat Rash in Adults – Not Just a Childhood Thing!”

“Heat Rash in Adults – Not Just a Childhood Thing!”

By Dr. Mohd Rizwan Khan

Dr. Rizwan’s Skin, Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur

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👶🏻 Heat rash yaani ghamoriya — sabko lagta hai ki yeh sirf bachchon ko hoti hai.

But let’s bust that myth.

Even adults get heat rash. In fact, in Shahjahanpur’s garmi, we see dozens of adult cases every week during peak summer.

Let’s understand why it happens, how to spot it, and what to do — especially if you’re sweating a lot, working outdoors, or using too many body products.

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🌡️ What Is Heat Rash?

Heat rash is a skin condition that happens when your sweat glands get blocked.

Sweat can’t come out properly, so it gets trapped under the skin, causing small red bumps, itching, or prickly sensation.

It’s also called:

• Prickly heat

• Ghamoriya in Hindi

• Miliaria in medical terms

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🤔 Why Do Adults Get It?

Most people think it’s a baby’s problem because of diapers and chubby folds.

But adults are at risk too — especially in humid, sweaty conditions.

Common causes in adults:

• Tight clothing

• Synthetic fabric (like nylon, polyester)

• Sitting for long hours in a hot, unventilated space

• Using heavy creams or oils in summer

• Too much sweating (due to gym, outdoor work, kitchen, etc.)

• Using talcum powders that clog pores

• Not bathing properly after sweating

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🔍 Signs That It’s Heat Rash

Here’s how you can recognize it:

Symptom	What You May Notice
Small red bumps	Usually on chest, back, neck
Prickling or burning	Especially after sweating
Mild itching	More in underarms, folds
Clear fluid-filled bumps	Sometimes tiny blisters
Rash worsens in heat	Feels better in cool areas

It mostly affects back, chest, neck, under-breasts, underarms, groin, and inner thighs.

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❌ What Not To Do

People often do things that make it worse:

• Scratching constantly (can lead to infection)

• Applying thick oil or ghee (blocks pores more)

• Using harsh soaps or body scrubs

• Wearing tight clothes again and again

• Skipping showers after heavy sweating

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✅ What To Do (Relief + Prevention)

1. Cool the skin

• Take a bath with cold or room temp water

• Add a spoon of baking soda or a pinch of neem powder to the water

2. Use light lotion, not heavy cream

• Try calamine lotion or aloe vera gel

• Avoid oil-based moisturisers in humid weather

3. Keep folds dry

• Use a clean cotton towel (no powder overload)

• Change undergarments twice a day if needed

4. Clothing matters

• Wear loose, cotton clothes

• Avoid tight bras, synthetic vests

5. Avoid excessive sweating

• Use fans, coolers, AC if available

• Avoid working in the kitchen for long hours without breaks

6. Medicated products

• In some cases, we prescribe mild anti-itch creams or antibacterials if there’s infection.

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🧴 Home Tip From Our Clinic

Mix rose water + chandan powder into a paste and apply to affected area for 10 mins.

Soothes the skin and gives natural cooling.

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💡 Real Story from Our OPD

A 32-year-old school teacher came with red, itchy rashes around her bra line and back during May.

She had been wearing tight innerwear and using heavy body lotion daily.

Diagnosis: Adult heat rash with mild secondary infection.

We gave her:

• Cooling lotion

• Advised cotton wear

• Told her to skip moisturiser for a week

In just 4 days, her skin calmed down!

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Final Thoughts

So no — heat rash is not just for babies. Adults in hot and humid cities like ours are just as likely to get it.

It’s preventable, treatable — but don’t ignore it, especially if it spreads or starts itching too much.

And remember:

Sweat + friction + blocked pores = ghamoriya

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📍If you’re feeling discomfort in this summer heat, come for a skin checkup at Dr. Rizwan’s Skin, Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur.

📞 Call now to book an appointment. Stay sweat-safe this summer!

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#HeatRashInAdults

#DrRizwanClinicTips

#SummerSkinProblems

#GhamoriyaRelief

#SweatSmartSkincare