Heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather.
Heat rash looks like dots or tiny
pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, and, in rare cases, a secondary
skin infection may developHeat rash can usually be identified by its appearance and does not usually require medical attention. But if it doesn't go away after 3 or 4 days, or if it appears to be getting worse, or if your child develops a
fever, contact your doctor right away.
Most
prickly heat rashes heal on their own. The following steps can help relieve symptoms.
Start by removing or loosening your baby's clothing and move him or her to a cool, shady spot.
Let the skin air-dry instead of using towels.
Avoid
ointments or other lotions, because they can irritate the skin.