Prickly heat
Prickly heat, or miliaria, is a common skin disorder, especially in tropical countries.
Definition
Prickly heat, or miliaria, is a common skin disorder, especially in tropical countries. This skin disorder often occurs in children. occurs due to blockage of the sweat glands.
This blockage of sweat glands will cause complaints in the form of red spots and complaints of itching on the skin. Miliaria can occur anywhere on the body, but miliaria usually occurs on the face, neck and back.
Reason
Prickly heat occurs for several reasons, such as:
- High humidity and heat that stimulates sweat production
- Clothes that are too tight, so the child's body temperature rises and sweats
- The child has a fever and sweats a lot
- Lack of skin hygiene
The various factors above can be modified to reduce the complaints of prickly heat. In addition, the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis is also believed to play a role in the occurrence of prickly heat
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of prickly heat is based on a medical interview and physical examination. In the medical interview, information will be obtained in the form of complaints of itchy skin, a history of sweating, the use of thick clothes and poor personal hygiene.
On physical examination may be found the presence of redness, and papules (nodules) of the skin. In mild prickly heat, white, watery, and shiny nodules appear without itching. Meanwhile, in severe prickly heat, the rash looks red, itchy, watery, and feels sore.
There are three kinds of prickly heat, namely:
- Midtaria Kristadtna
Blockage occurs on the surface of the skin so that small bubbles measuring 1-2 mm can be seen filled with clear fluid. This prickly heat occurs in the upper layer (midtaria cyrstadtna). The visible symptom is a small, watery noddle that looks shiny.
- Midtaria Rubra
This type of prickly heat occurs in the middle layer. Symptoms are skin that is red, itchy, watery, sore, and resembles a scar. This prickly heat is characterized by small rashes (1–2 mm), red in color, usually accompanied by complaints of itching and burning.
- Midtaria Profunda
This type of prickly heat is found in the deeper layers of the skin. Midtaria deep usually occurs in the case of midtaria rubra that occurs repeatedly.
In this type of prickly heat there are hard white spots and measuring 1-3 mm, the skin is not red, but this case is rare. Because the location of the sweat plug is deeper, cdtnically it is more of a noddle than a fluid-filled bubble.
Symptom
Symptoms that are complained of by miliaria sufferers are itchy, sore and red skin. In more severe prickly heat can be found small bubbles or elastic filled with water.
Repeated scratching can cause scratching scars. Skin lesions are usually seen on clothing-covered areas such as the chest, back and areas that are compressed or rubbed against clothing.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for prickly heat. Prickly heat is usually quite treated with proper skin care. Avoid the heat and wear loose, breathable clothing. Use calamine lotion to soothe the affected skin.
If the skin condition is accompanied by a secondary infection that is visible from the presence of pus or pus on the skin, then antibiotics can be considered. In skin lesions that are red and itchy, a low-potency hydrocortisone cream can be given. If itching is very bothersome, antihistamines may be considered. The use of ointments and medications should be monitored by a doctor.
Prevention
There are several things you can do to reduce the incidence of prickly heat. Some steps to prevent prickly heat such as:
- Avoid exposure to heat. If you must travel outdoors, use an umbrella or hat to prevent exposure to excessive heat.
- Wear loose, cotton clothing that absorbs sweat. If the clothes are wet with sweat, replace them with new clothes.
- If your skin is sweaty, take a cold shower. If possible, work and do activities in a room with cool air or with air conditioning.
- Use calamine lotion to soothe and reduce skin irritation.