Ayurvedic Remedies for Prickly Heat

Prickly Heat and Ayurveda

It is an acute form of heat rash associated with excessive sweating, specially during humid climate. In Ayurveda this is known as a type of pidaka. It consists of small superficial eruptions which look like grains of sand. It affects almost any part of the body. Pricking, burning sensation and itching cause a lot of discomfort, and may cause secondary bacterial infection.

Heat rash is a skin condition that often affects children and adults in hot, humid weather conditions. You can develop heat rash when your pores become blocked and sweat can’t escape.

Heat rash occurs when pores become clogged and can’t expel sweat. This is more likely to happen in warmer months, in warmer climates, and after intense exercise. Wearing certain clothing can trap sweat, leading to heat rash. Using thick lotions and creams can also lead to heat rash.

It’s possible to get heat rash in cooler temperatures if you wear clothes or sleep under covers that lead to overheating. Babies are more likely to develop heat rash because their pores are underdeveloped.

Types of Prickly heat / Miliaria in modern medicine

Different types of heat rash can range in severity, and they all look a little different.

Miliaria crystallina

Miliaria crystallina is the most common and mildest form of heat rash. If you have miliaria crystallina, you’ll notice small clear or white bumps filled with fluid on the surface of your skin. These bumps are bubbles of sweat. The bumps often burst.

Contrary to popular belief, this type of heat rash doesn’t itch and shouldn’t be painful. Miliaria crystallina is more common in young babies than in adults.

Miliaria rubra

Miliaria rubra, or prickly heat is more common in adults than in children and babies. Miliaria rubra is known to cause more discomfort than miliaria crystallina because it occurs deeper in the outer layer of the skin, or the epidermis.

Miliaria rubra occurs in hot or humid conditions and may cause:

• itchy or prickly sensations
• red bumps on the skin
• a lack of sweat in the affected area
• inflammation and soreness of the skin because the body can’t release sweat through the skin’s surface

Bumps that appear due to miliaria rubra can sometimes progress and fill with pus. When this happens, doctors refer to the condition as miliaria pustulosa.

Miliaria profunda

Miliaria profunda is the least common form of heat rash. It can recur often and become chronic, or long term. This form of heat rash occurs in the dermis, which is the deeper layer of skin. Miliaria profunda typically occurs in adults after a period of physical activity that produces sweat.

If you have miliaria profunda, you’ll notice larger, tough, flesh-colored bumps.

Because heat rash prevents sweat from leaving your skin, it may lead to nausea and dizziness

Treatment:

Persons having pityaka type of physical consititution are more prone to get this skin trouble. As far as possible, such patients should avoid heat and humidity. Intake of Pravalapisti  in a dose of 0.5 gms. twice a day, with honey, helps both in preventing and curing this disease.

Saariva and chandana is a very good drug of choice in this condition.

Kamadugdharasa

Durvadi Keram, Neem leaf paste,

Diet:

Almond and almond oil, grapes, specially dry, grapes, are very useful for these patients. Fruit juice should be given to them in plenty. avoid spicy hot food.

Other regimen:

Use of fresh air and mild physical exercise helps both in preventing and curing this condition. Care should be taken to see that sweat is cleaned off body as soon as it appears. Wear loose fitting cotton cloth.