Sweat pimples or sweat rash, also known as ‘miliaria’, ‘heat rash’ or ‘heat bumps’, is an annoying skin rash that is not only seen in babies, but can also occur in older children and adults. The common condition originates from the eccrine sweat glands and mainly occurs during warm, humid conditions. Small pimples develop on the skin due to occlusion of the sweat glands. The best way to treat sweat pimples is to avoid triggering factors and cooling gels and lotions can combat itching. The prognosis of sweat rash is good; after a few days the rashes disappear. Preventive measures can prevent you from developing sweat rash again.
- Sweat pimples on the back, chest and legs in a bird’s eye view
- What are sweat pimples?
- Synonyms sweat rash
- Cause of sweat pimples
- Immature sweat glands
- Tropical weather conditions
- Physical exercise
- Overheating
- Prolonged bedriddenness
- Symptoms of sweat rash
- Types of heat rash
- Miliaria crystallina
- Miliaria profunda
- Miliaria pustulosa
- When to consult your GP?
- Risk factors for sweat rash
- Examination and diagnosis
- How can you treat sweat pimples?
- Prognosis
- Prevention
Miliaria rubra or sweat pimples / Source: Sentient Planet, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Sweat pimples on the back, chest and legs in a bird’s eye view
- Symptoms:
- Small, itchy bumps on the skin.
- They usually appear in areas where the skin folds are located, such as the neck, chest, back, groin and (in women) under the breasts.
- The bumps can be red or white in color, depending on the severity of the occlusion of the sweat glands.
- The lesions may itch, burn or sting.
- There are different types of sweat pimples, including:
- Miliaria crystallina: Mild form with transparent bumps that break open easily and usually do not itch.
- Miliaria rubra: Inflamed variant with small red bumps that itch and cause discomfort.
- Miliaria profunda: Deep form with red bumps that appear deeper in the skin layers.
- Miliaria pustulosa: Less common, with pus-filled bumps that can be itchy and painful
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- Risk factors:
- High temperatures and humidity.
- Excessive layers of clothing or tight clothing that promotes sweat trapping.
- Physical activity that leads to excessive sweating.
- Wearing clothing made of non-breathable materials.
- Therapy:
- Avoid hot and humid environments.
- Wear light, breathable clothing.
- Keep the affected skin clean and dry.
- If necessary, use a cool compress to relieve the irritation.
- In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and itching.
- Prevention:
- Stay hydrated, stay cool and avoid excessive sweating.
- Cooling showers can help open pores and allow sweat to escape.
- Use light, airy clothing in warm conditions.
- Avoid excessive physical activity in high temperatures.
What are sweat pimples?
The medical name for sweat pimples or sweat rash is miliaria. It is also known as heat rash. In addition to ‘sweat pimples’, it is also popularly called ‘heat bumps’, ‘sweat bumps’ or ‘heat bumps’. Heat rash, or sweat pimples, is an annoying rash that is not only seen in babies. Adults can also be affected by sweat pimples, especially during hot and humid weather. Sweat pimples occur because the drainage ducts of the sweat glands become clogged and can rupture. The symptoms consist of blisters or bumps that can itch intensely. Sweat pimples normally disappear on their own, especially if you avoid the triggering factors. Severe forms of heat rash may require medical attention, but the best way to relieve symptoms is to cool your skin and prevent sweating. A cooling lotion or gel can help with this.
Synonyms sweat rash
Other names for sweat pimples or sweat rash are:
- lichen tropicus
- miliaria rubra
- prickly heat (English term)
- tropical red dog
- heat rash
- sweating sickness
Cause of sweat pimples
Sweat pimples occur when some of the ducts of the sweat glands become clogged and, as a result, rupture. The sweat gets trapped under the skin and this causes inflammation and rashes (sweat rash). It’s not always clear why sweat glands become clogged, but certain factors appear to play a role, including the following.
Immature sweat glands
A newborn’s sweat glands are not fully developed. They can tear more easily when perspiration accumulates under the skin. Sweat pimples can develop during the first week of life, especially if the child is dressed too warmly, is in a bedroom that is too warm or has a fever.
Tropical weather conditions
Hot, humid weather can cause heat rash or sweat rash.
Physical exercise
Intensive sports or physical labor, especially in hot and humid conditions, can lead to sweat pimples.
Overheating
Overheating, for example sleeping under blankets that are too thick or sleeping under an electric blanket, can lead to sweat pimples.
Prolonged bedriddenness
Heat rash or sweat rash can also occur in people who are bedridden for long periods of time, especially if they have a fever.
Symptoms of sweat rash
Adults usually develop sweat pimples in the folds of the skin and in places where clothing causes friction. In infants, the rash is mainly found on the neck, shoulders and chest. It can also occur in the armpits, elbow creases and groin.
Types of heat rash
The types of miliaria are classified according to how deeply the ducts of the sweat glands have become clogged. Signs and symptoms vary for each variant.
Miliaria crystallina
The mildest and most common form of heat rash or sweat rash is miliaria crystallina. This involves closing off the sweat glands very superficially, creating a blister filled with clear fluid. These clear, fluid-filled blisters rupture easily. A type that also occurs often and in which the closure of the drainage duct of the sweat gland is located deeper in the skin, is miliaria rubra. This variant presents as small red bumps that can itch intensely.
Miliaria profunda
Miliaria profunda is much rarer. In this type, in addition to a closure of the sweat glands, a reaction takes place in which sweat from the sweat glands or from the drainage ducts is pressed into the skin, which causes an itchy and painful inflammatory reaction. Firm, flesh-colored lesions that resemble goosebumps develop.
Miliaria pustulosa
Miliaria pustulosa is actually the same as miliaria profunda, but this variant is accompanied by a bacterial inflammation that complicates the whole thing. Pimples are visible. This form of sweat rash does not heal easily. Antibiotics are often necessary to calm the skin again.
When to consult your GP?
Heat rash or sweat rash usually heals if the triggering factors are avoided. See your doctor if you or your child have symptoms that last more than a few days, the rash seems to be getting worse, or if you or your child have signs of an infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area;
- Pus comes out of the lesions;
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or groin;
- Fever or chills.
Risk factors for sweat rash
Factors that make you more prone to sweat rash or heat rash include:
- Age . Newborns are the most susceptible.
- Tropical climate . People who live in the tropics are much more likely to develop pimples than people in temperate climates.
- Physical activity . Physical exertion that makes you sweaty, especially if you are not wearing clothing that allows the sweat to evaporate, can cause heat rash.
- Pressure on the skin . When pressure is also exerted on the skin in warm, humid conditions, for example by tight-fitting clothing, pressure on the buttocks or the back when sitting during a (long) car journey.
The susceptibility to developing sweat pimples varies from person to person. It is estimated that roughly a quarter of the Dutch population can develop sweat pimples quite easily.
Examination and diagnosis
The diagnosis can be made ‘by eye’, because the skin abnormalities are easily recognizable.
How can you treat sweat pimples?
First, avoid the triggers:
- Ensure good ventilation and wear airy, well-ventilated clothing.
- Avoid irritation and friction with clothing, for example.
- Take it easy on hot, humid days.
- Do not place the baby’s crib near a heat source.
Cooling gels and lotions can relieve itching symptoms. Calamine Lotion FNA is sometimes advised. A shake (lotion) with calamine dries and cools the skin and relieves itching. This medicine is available in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. In more serious and persistent cases, the doctor can prescribe a corticosteroid cream.
Prognosis
The bumps normally disappear on their own after a few days.
Prevention
Good skin hygiene is important in preventing sweat pimples or sweat rashes:
- Try to keep the skin clean and dry as much as possible;
- Wearing cotton or linen clothing ensures that sweat can escape and sweat rashes are less likely to occur.
- Do not use greasy creams and skin products with heavy oils or Vaseline because these are more likely to lead to a blockage of the sweat glands.
- Avoid (heavy) physical exertion on very sultry days.
read more
- Heat bumps, sweat bumps: itchy pimples on the body
- Treating heat bumps, heat rash on legs, arms and back
- Heat rash: treat heat rash on the back and chest
- Itchy skin or itching: causes of itching and types of itching
- Skin disorders AZ: symptoms, cause and treatment
