10 Effective Home Remedies for Heat Rash in Babies

Babies always have extremely sensitive skin as their bodies are still developing. With passing time, you will notice significant changes in your baby’s skin. These changes will be the result of his growth and development. External factors, like climate change or transition from one place to another, also affect babies’ skin. One of the most common skin issues children experience is heat rash. Since summer is just around the corner, you must be aware of how it could affect your little one. And, you might find this article particularly useful to treat heat rashes in your baby. Read on to know more.

What Is Heat Rash?

Heat rash is a common occurrence in children during the summer season. It is also known as prickly heat or miliaria. Although everyone struggles with this issue at some point, it usually leads to extreme discomfort in babies because they have sensitive skin. Heat rashes occur when the body sweats a lot, the pores of the skin get blocked, and they don’t expel excess perspiration. Heat rashes are commonly seen in babies living in a hot and humid atmosphere.  You will also notice that the heat rash is more when there is a climate change. This is because the sensitive skin of your little one does not easily adjust to the change in the climate.

Symptoms of Heat Rash in Babies

Heat rashes can be seen in many forms in babies. The common symptoms are red spots, swelling, itching, and blisters. The areas that are affected by heat rashes are the folds in the skin like the neck area, folds in hands or legs, shoulders, armpits, chest, groin and even on the stomach.

If your child has had a heat rash, your initial thought must have been to see a doctor. You can, however, use some home remedies to soothe the rash or even take precautionary measures to avoid the rash. Let’s take a look at some effective home remedies for heat rash.

Home Remedies for Heat Rash in Babies

1. Cold Compress

If your baby is struggling with rashes, there is one thing you can do for quick relief. You can wrap ice in a soft cloth and dab it on the affected areas. Cold compresses can soothe the burning and itching sensations in no time.

2. Cucumber

Cucumber also provides quick relief from heat rashes. One good thing is that you can put slices of cucumber or cucumber paste directly on your baby’s delicate skin. Try not to rub the slices or the paste. Just press them gently to get some of that cucumber juice on to your baby’s skin. Cucumber has cooling and hydrating properties that calm down the itching or burnings sensation and hydrate your little one’s skin. You may wipe the past off with a soft towel soaked in cold water.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is extremely helpful in soothing your baby’s skin rashes. Remember not to use tea tree oil directly on to your baby’s skin, and always dilute it before using it.

4. Coriander

Coriander paste can also be applied to the affected areas on your baby’s skin. You may try this remedy before bathing him. Just keep the paste on a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes should work) and then bathe your baby with lukewarm water.

5. Gram Flour (Besan)

Mix gram flour (besan) with some water and make a smooth paste. Apply it on the affected area and let it sit for about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, you can either bathe your child with lukewarm water or wipe down the gram flour paste with a soft damp towel.

6. Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile essential oil is yet another product you can use to soothe heat rashes in your baby. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can heal heat rashes. Just like tea tree oil, you must not use it directly. However, you can use a diluted version of chamomile essential oil by adding a drop or two of the oil in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Then, all you need to do is apply this to the affected area on your baby’s skin and let it heal.

7. Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti)

Fuller’s earth has antiseptic and healing properties too. It is rich in magnesium, quartz, calcite, and dolomite. Since it is a natural element, there are no side effects even if you use it on babies. You can either mix it in cool filtered water or in some rose water and apply it on the rashes. Let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes and wipe it with a soft damp cloth.

8. Honey

Honey also has healing properties and can heal heat rashes in a short time. You can apply honey directly on to your baby’s skin and leave it for 5 to 7 minutes before your baby’s bath time.

9. Oatmeal

Oatmeal also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Take a soft muslin cloth, pour 1/2 a cup of oatmeal in it and tie a bundle. Now, soak the bundle in cold water and gently dab it on your baby’s skin. This remedy can reduce itching in a short time and bring about faster healing. You may repeat the process once or twice in a day to soothe the rashes.

10. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has cooling and healing properties and can soothe the itching and discomfort as soon as it is applied. You can either buy aloe vera gel from the market or remove some fresh gel from the aloe vera plant at home. Ensure you only use the clear gel and discard any green components you may have scraped while removing fresh aloe vera gel. Apply a little aloe vera gel to the affected area and leave it for as long as you want. Then, either wipe it with a soft damp towel or give your baby a soothing bath.

Now that you know the remedies, let’s also take a look at the things you must remember while trying these home remedies to heal the heat rashes on your little one’s skin.

Things to Remember While Using Home Remedies to Soothe Heat Rash in Babies

Here are some important things you must remember while using the home remedies provided above. These tips will ensure you do not aggravate the rashes and provide immediate relief from the irritation.

• Keep your child in cooler surroundings to prevent or heal heat rashes.
• Avoid letting your child be directly under the harsh sun for too long.
• Avoid clothes that are too tight and warm. Always keep a batch of breathable, loose-fitting cotton clothing for the summers.
• Do not rub any of the pastes/ oils mentioned in the home remedies above. Just gently dab them wherever required.
• Avoid cold compress if your baby tends to catch a cold even during summers.
• Use lukewarm water for bathing your baby.
• Use a talcum/ baby powder to keep your baby’s skin dry.
• For older babies, include foods that have cooling and hydrating properties.

Children are prone to a lot of health issues, mainly because of their delicate bodies. When you notice your child struggling with heat rashes, you can immediately use one of the remedies mentioned above and help soothe the discomfort. As mentioned earlier, you can also include foods that have cooling properties when your baby is weaned on to solids. If the rashes don’t seem to subside in 2 to 3 days in spite of trying the home remedies, be sure you take him to a good dermatologist and get some medical advice.

Reference:

• WebMD
• Mayo Clinic