Miliaria In Adults - Causes, Signs And Symptoms Of Prickly Heat In Adults

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Causes, signs and symptoms of prickly heat in adults

Content:

• Signs and symptoms of prickly heat in adults
• Causes of prickly heat
• Treatment of prickly heat in adults
• Prevention of prickly heat in adults

Miliaria is a rash that occurs as a result of sweating and irritation from the sweat of the skin. It is known that through sweat, our skin removes many toxins and harmful substances, but sometimes sweat glands from this clog up and problems begin.

Signs and symptoms of prickly heat in adults

In adulthood, prickly heat manifests itself in different ways and is troublesome to varying degrees, depending on its type.

1. Crystalline prickly heat is considered the most harmless type of prickly heat. It is a small pearlescent rash in the form of bubbles with a diameter of one to two millimeters. It appears as a result of vigorous physical activity. It is characterized by little or no itching. Sometimes it starts to peel off and nothing more.
2. Red prickly heat belongs to a more intense form. It looks like numerous point formations that merge into vast areas. Most often, it occurs in the armpits, groin, and in the fairer sex also in the chest area under the glands. The person feels noticeable itching. This variety heals within a few weeks.
3. Deep prickly heat (papular). The third stage, manifested against the background of the emergence of the first two. It affects people who have moved to areas with a hot climate, and who have not immediately adapted to intense waterlogging.

Excessive sweating can cause swelling of the epidermis of the skin and blockage of the external ducts of the sweat glands. In this case, the excretory canals can be significantly stretched or even ruptured. The resulting nodules dry up with the formation of an unpleasant crust. In severe forms, the skin becomes dry. As a result, an infection may develop, which turns into eczema. This form of prickly heat requires long-term treatment, which stretches for several months, or even years, depending on the duration of exposure to the adverse factors that cause it.

Prickly heat is often confused with other skin defects, and therefore only a dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis.

Causes of prickly heat

The main symptoms of prickly heat are redness and rashes in various areas of the skin, where moisture lingers for a long time. In addition to those previously listed, such areas include the places of the bends of the limbs, the neck and back. Little children often have symptoms of prickly sweat on the bottom. Often, such rashes appear as small bubbles with a clear liquid inside, which then burst, causing the skin to peel off and become excessively dry.

As a rule, prickly heat is accompanied by unfavorable external factors that provoke profuse sweating and it occurs mainly in closed areas of the body, where the skin remains moist for a long time. Such factors can be:

• prolonged stay in hot environmental conditions;
• intense physical activity (usually this applies primarily to adolescents);
• emotional experiences leading to stress;
• disorders of the nervous system;
• various deviations in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• excessive use of cosmetics that impede natural air exchange on the skin surface;
• wearing hats that prevent the skin from drying out quickly in hot weather;
• diseases that cause fever and, as a result, profuse sweating;
• non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• excessive fullness.

It should be noted that children's prickly sweat, as a rule, is not accompanied by any smell. But in adults, its appearance often causes unpleasant odors, which create additional discomfort for a person. For these reasons, timely treatment of this skin disorder contributes not only to gaining good physical shape, but also helps a person psychologically.

Treatment of prickly heat in adults

In order to get rid of prickly heat, an adult must first of all focus on the general physical condition and try to get rid of excessive sweating. The use of external agents, such as formalin, all kinds of powders, and hygiene gels, helps to reduce sweating.

If the appearance of prickly heat is due to allergic reactions accompanied by edema, efforts should be made to weaken the influence of allergens, to take antihistamines.

In hospitals, patients are offered various options for reflexology, as well as physiotherapy procedures. Particular attention should be paid to the psychological state of the patient. With strong feelings and stress, a person sweats much more intensely, thereby provoking the appearance of prickly heat. In such situations, doctors usually prescribe effective sedatives.

Now the use of botox has become fashionable. However, its injections, although they help to improve the appearance, can paralyze the nerve cells responsible for the proper functioning of the sweat glands. In this case, if profuse sweating is causing too much trouble, it is possible to resort to surgical intervention. During the operation, the nerve associated with the sweat glands is cut, which leads to the disappearance of sweating.

It is important to remember when treating prickly heat that it cannot be cauterized using, for example, tinctures with a high alcohol content. Such procedures lead to the formation of numerous small wounds, which at the same time bleed. It is much more difficult to cure this condition.

Prevention of prickly heat in adults

People with a tendency to form prickly heat can largely prevent its recurrence on their own if they adhere to certain rules:

• if possible, get rid of excess pounds of weight;
• in hot weather, wear light clothing based on natural breathable fabrics;
• at the same time, the clothes should not tightly fit the body;
• avoid excessive physical exertion, especially in extremely hot weather;
• change clothes more often to clean and dry;
• take water procedures at least twice a day, after which wipe thoroughly;
• limit sunbathing, which narrows spores and increases the likelihood of prickly heat;
• monitor the regular ventilation of the premises, avoiding high humidity and stuffiness.

By taking good care of your skin, you also contribute to a more comfortable physical environment. After all, fresh, clean clothes, ventilation in the heat, absence of excess weight - all these are positive components of a comfortable life.

Although prickly heat, as a rule, creates only insignificant troubles, manifesting rather purely outwardly, nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid its manifestation at all, rather than spend time and effort on subsequent treatment, and the fight against possible relapses.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.