We love that warmer weather seems to finally be here (for the moment at least), but it can bring with it a number of skin irritations, one of which is heat rash. This skin flare-up – also known as prickly heat or miliaria – is common in hot weather, especially in babies and children, and causes uncomfortable redness and itching. If you've always been stumped by what causes prickly heat, how to soothe it and, even better, how to prevent it in the first place, we're here to help with some expert advice and top product picks to make summer that bit more comfortable.
"Prickly heat occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, trapping sweat beneath the skin," says Charlotte Vøhtz, organic beauty expert and founder of Green People . "The condition is common in hot and humid weather and can affect anyone." "Another common cause of blocked sweat glands is waterproof sunscreens," Charlotte adds.
"These sunscreens often contain ingredients such as mineral oils and silicone, which can block your pores. Applying these ingredients is similar to wrapping your skin in cling film and can aggravate prickly heat by reducing the amount of sweat that can escape." According to the NHS website , symptoms of prickly heat including small, raised spots (which appear red on white skin but may be harder to see on darker skin tones), an itchy, prickly feeling and mild swelling.
In more severe cases, the inflamed bumps may fill with pus. These symptoms usually last until the body cools down and the skin .
