How to spot the signs of heat rash in babies and what to do

Britain is currently experiencing a wave of hot weather, with temperatures showing no signs of slowing down. Much of the UK has remained in a heatwave, with higher temperatures coming next week.

The Met Office and the UK Government have strongly advised the public to take precautions to protect themselves in the heat. One significant concern during the heat is how young children and babies are coping, particularly overnight. With upper floors of homes, where bedrooms are typically situated, considerably warmer than ground level, and with little respite available even from open windows, preventing bedrooms from becoming uncomfortably hot is proving extremely challenging for parents.

You may notice your children appearing lethargic and irritable — which is, naturally, entirely understandable in these conditions and not necessarily cause for alarm — or they may have developed a heat rash. Should you suspect your child is experiencing something more severe, you should seek medical advice promptly.

Symptoms of heat rash in babies

Heat rash may be unpleasant, but the NHS states it is “usually harmless” and “usually gets better on its own after a few days”. The symptoms of heat rash are identical in adults, children and babies and can emerge anywhere on the body.

• small, raised spots
• an itchy, burning or prickly feeling
• mild swelling

What does heat rash look like?

A heat rash presents as a cluster of tiny bumps, comparable to pimples, with each bump typically measuring around 1 to 3 millimetres in width. They tend to appear red on lighter skin tones, while on darker skin, the bumps may look grey or white.

This is the most prevalent form of heat rash, and its medical term is “miliaria rubra”.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that heat rash “can also appear as tiny, clear bumps” which “look a bit like water droplets”. This variety of heat rash is known as “miliaria crystalline” and predominantly affects newborns as a milder form that may not cause itchiness or discomfort.

Where do heat rashes form?

Heat rash can develop anywhere on the body. In babies, it tends to be common in:

• Armpits
• Elbow creases
• Neck
• Groin (diaper area)
• Upper chest and back

In adults, heat rash commonly forms in these areas:

• Arms
• Back
• Chest (especially under your breasts)
• Legs (especially on your inner thighs).

How to treat heat rash

The NHS advises that heat rash will generally clear up on its own within a few days, and “the main thing to do is keep your skin cool so you do not sweat and irritate the rash”. While difficult during the extreme heat currently being felt across much of the UK, steps you can take to keep your skin cool include wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing and lightweight bedding, and taking cooler baths.

To soothe the rash and relieve the itching sensation, applying something cool such as a damp cloth or ice pack can help, while a pharmacist may recommend a lotion, antihistamine tablets or hydrocortisone cream (although this cream is rarely prescribed for younger children).

Other rashes in babies and children

It is worth checking that your baby’s rash is not one of the following conditions — you can view images of each on the NHS website:

• Slapped cheek syndrome
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Scarlet fever
• Measles
• Eczema
• Ringworm
• Chicken pox
• Impetigo

When to call a doctor

According to the NHS, you should dial 999 or visit A&E immediately if your child or baby develops a rash, appears unwell, and displays any of the following symptoms:

• stiff neck
• bothered by light
• they seem confused, agitated or they’re not responding like they usually do
• difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
• skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
• sudden swelling of their lips, mouth, throat or tongue
• throat feels tight or struggling to swallow
• rash looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you press a glass against it.