Heat rash or prickly heat is one of those things that most children get at some point, although some seem more prone to it than others. I can well remember being stuck indoors in the cool while everyone else was outside playing, so frustrating! Here's how to treat heat rash naturally - and fast - so kids can get back to what they do best.
The quicker you can cool the skin, the quicker the rash will go. Here are some tips and suggestions for treating heat rash naturally.
Ice
Simple but effective, an icy compress can soothe and cool skin very effectively. Rather than rubbing the skin directly with ice, wrap ice cubes or an ice pack (such as you use in your coolbag) in a cloth before applying it to the skin.
Baking Soda
A lukewarm bath (the cooler the better) in which 1/4 cup of baking soda has been dissolved, will help to relieve heat rash.
For children, use 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda since the bath will have less water. For babies, add only about a teaspoon to their bath. Remember to pat dry with a soft towel, don't rub skin vigorously or that will worsen the rash.
Another option is to apply baking soda to the rash in the form of a compress. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on a wet cotton cloth or muslin. Fold the cloth over so that the baking soda is on the inside, and lay the cool compress on the affected areas. You may need several compresses, and the applications will need to be repeated. Cool the compress in a cooler or refrigerator between applications, and/or re-dampen the cloth with cool water.
Peppermint Powder
You can make this cooling powder yourself. Mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts cornflour. Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil per cup of the soda/cornstarch mixture. Mix the oil in well. Pat this on to cool and soothe heat rash. It is especially effective as a heat rash preventative, and/or applied after a lukewarm shower or bath.
Peppermint Tea
All types of mint have cooling properties. Add a cup or two of mint tea to a lukewarm bath. You can also apply mint tea to your heat rash directly, like a lotion. Soaking a cloth in mint tea and applying it to the rash as a compress is also effective.
Witch Hazel
A cotton wool ball soaked in witch hazel (available from your pharmacy) can be patted on the skin to soothe heat rash.
Aloe Vera
This ancient skin remedy is very effective at treating burns, and although heat rash is not a burn, it is a hot, prickly skin irritation that responds well to aloe vera gel. You can use the gel directly from the plant; just slit an aloe leaf lengthwise and press the split leaf onto the skin. Do not rub the liquid in.
Oats
The anti-inflammatory properties of oats are very soothing to skin irritations. They can be applied as a poultice using the method described for baking soda above. You can also add a cupful of oatmeal or oat flour to a lukewarm bath, or place oats in a muslin bag and allow the bath water to run through them.
More tips for treating children's skin:
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The quicker you can cool the skin, the quicker the rash will go. Here are some tips and suggestions for treating heat rash naturally.
Ice
Simple but effective, an icy compress can soothe and cool skin very effectively. Rather than rubbing the skin directly with ice, wrap ice cubes or an ice pack (such as you use in your coolbag) in a cloth before applying it to the skin.
Baking Soda
A lukewarm bath (the cooler the better) in which 1/4 cup of baking soda has been dissolved, will help to relieve heat rash.
For children, use 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda since the bath will have less water. For babies, add only about a teaspoon to their bath. Remember to pat dry with a soft towel, don't rub skin vigorously or that will worsen the rash.
Another option is to apply baking soda to the rash in the form of a compress. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on a wet cotton cloth or muslin. Fold the cloth over so that the baking soda is on the inside, and lay the cool compress on the affected areas. You may need several compresses, and the applications will need to be repeated. Cool the compress in a cooler or refrigerator between applications, and/or re-dampen the cloth with cool water.
Peppermint Powder
You can make this cooling powder yourself. Mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts cornflour. Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil per cup of the soda/cornstarch mixture. Mix the oil in well. Pat this on to cool and soothe heat rash. It is especially effective as a heat rash preventative, and/or applied after a lukewarm shower or bath.
Peppermint Tea
All types of mint have cooling properties. Add a cup or two of mint tea to a lukewarm bath. You can also apply mint tea to your heat rash directly, like a lotion. Soaking a cloth in mint tea and applying it to the rash as a compress is also effective.
Witch Hazel
A cotton wool ball soaked in witch hazel (available from your pharmacy) can be patted on the skin to soothe heat rash.
Aloe Vera
This ancient skin remedy is very effective at treating burns, and although heat rash is not a burn, it is a hot, prickly skin irritation that responds well to aloe vera gel. You can use the gel directly from the plant; just slit an aloe leaf lengthwise and press the split leaf onto the skin. Do not rub the liquid in.
Oats
The anti-inflammatory properties of oats are very soothing to skin irritations. They can be applied as a poultice using the method described for baking soda above. You can also add a cupful of oatmeal or oat flour to a lukewarm bath, or place oats in a muslin bag and allow the bath water to run through them.
More tips for treating children's skin:
Pin it:
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