Dermatologist
Overheating can cause heat rash. To
stay cool when you're in the sun, wear
clothes made from cotton or other
moisture-wicking fabrics. Or,
wear
UV protective clothing, which blocks
the sun's rays and keeps you comfortable.
If you're already suffering from
heat rash,
apply topical aloe gel and 1
percent hydrocortisone cream twice a
day to keep the area cool and dry. To
get relief from itching,
try an over-thecounter
antihistamine like Benadryl or
Claritin. Talcum powders like Zeasorb-
AF can also help soothe the itch and
sting. Don't use cornstarch-based powder;
it can cause yeast to grow, which
could worsen the rash. If the rash
doesn't clear after two or three weeks,
see a dermatologist or physician.
-
Doris J. Day, M.D., clinical assistant
professor of dermatology at New York
University Medical Center
TCM Practitioner
According to TCM principles, heat rash
is an outward sign of an internal temperature
imbalance. If you have heat
rash,
avoid eating spicy foods or sugar,
drinking hot beverages or alcohol,
or taking hot showers or baths-all
behaviors that generate heat in the
body.
Prepare a cooling herbal tea
with one tablespoon of peppermint
leaves and two tablespoons of chrysanthemum
flowers in three cups of
boiling water. Steep it for 20 minutes,
then strain and cool to room temperature;
drink half a cup every few hours
until the rash clears. Or, ask a Chinese
medicine practitioner for Yin Chiao, an
herbal preparation that treats allergies
and rashes. Take four tablets by mouth
every four hours for up to two days.
-
Efrem Korngold, O.M.D., a Chinese
medicine practitioner and a
Natural Health advisor
Homeopath
Blocked sweat glands trap perspiration
deep within the dermis , causing heat
rash. To prevent it,
keep problem areas
clean and dry. If you already have heat
rash, homeopathy can help alleviate it.
A potent preparation of stinging nettle
(
Urtica urens), a weed that in the wild
could cause your skin to burn and itch,
can help cure conditions like rashes.
Take 30C of stinging nettle every few
hours; once you begin to see improvement,
stop using the remedy. If there's
no improvement after two or three
doses, you can try other homeopathic
remedies like sulphur, which is used
for chronic skin conditions that worsen
in the heat, and apis (also known as
honeybee), which is good for hives and
swollen tissues.
-
Molly Punzo, M.D., a homeopath in
Maryland and spokesperson for the
National Center for Homeopathy
