Heatwaves have affected the whole of the Indian subcontinent and impacted everyone’s health. Skin being the outermost layer, like the protective shield of the body, is in continuous dialogue with and gets affected by every small change in the external environment. In an interaction with Only My Health, Dr Smriti Naswa Singh, Consultant-Dermatologist & Cosmetic Dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, explained all about heat rash. Excessive heat can affect our skin in many ways 1.Heat rash  It can come up as a sunburn kind of rash, which is red, burning, and itchy on the face, hands, or feet. Heat rash, also known as prickly heat and miliaria, isn’t just for babies. It affects adults, too, especially in hot, humid conditions. Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped in the skin. Symptoms can range from small blisters to deep, inflamed lumps. Some forms of heat rash are very itchy. Also read: Preventing Heat Rash: Hygiene Tips To Practise If You Sweat A Lot 2.Sweat induced Dermatitis The parts covered by clothes, due to friction, can lead to chafing, redness, burning, and itchy sensation in various body parts, especially across the body folds like armpits, groin folds, waistline (belt area), below the breasts in women. This rash can also appear on the back, especially if someone wears a polyester garment or tight fitted clothing regularly. 3.Miliaria Rubra or prickly heat It is a blockage of sweat glands openings, which occur commonly in small children and even in adults, if one is too sweaty, is wearing extra layers of clothing, or wearing polyester or tight fitted clothing. They are irritable rashes, and can get secondarily infected too. 4.Fungal infection It is common during hot weather. It occurs in ground folds (Jock’s Itch), between toe web spaces (Athlete’s Foot) and buttocks (commonly due to usage of public western commodes). 5.Heat boils We all have bacteria on our skin; hot and humid conditions often offer an ideal environment for growth of pathogens. Heat boils commonly happen on the face for children, along hair follicles of thighs, and on the abdomen for the adults. Also read: Summertime Heat Rash: How To Get Rid Of Them? Prevention and solution 1.Wear breathable cotton and linen fabrics (not polyester) 2.Wear loose well-fitted garments (not ill- or tight-fitting ones) 3.Change dresses including undergarments and brassieres two-three times a day. People can opt for boxers or U-shaped undergarments to prevent thigh fold rashes/ infections/ macerations (because elastic is always polyester) 4.One should take a bath after coming home from outdoors, especially if sweaty, or after an exercise/ dance/ sports activity. Wearing sweaty garments is one important causative factor for all of the above-mentioned rashes. 5.Hydrating the body with 8-10 glasses of water and prioritizing electrolyte balance with Coconut water, fresh Lime juice, Kokum sherbet, Beetroot Carrot kanji, etc. is of utmost importance. Having a Dermatologist examine the problem areas of the skin will help prevent the rash from spreading, or secondary infection to ensue.Read NextGlycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid: How to Choose the Right Exfoliant for Your Skin?Disclaimer All possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers’ discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.