Blocked sweat glands
Prickly heat occurs when your sweat glands become blocked. If you are visiting a hot country, or find yourself in a hot environment, you may sweat more than usual.
If you sweat excessively, it is easier for dead skin cells and bacteria on your skin to collect in your sweat glands. If these glands become blocked, the sweat is trapped underneath your skin, and seeps into the nearby tissue.
Trapped sweat irritates your skin and causes tiny pockets of inflammation which also contain sweat. When these pockets burst and release the sweat, it causes a stinging, prickling sensation.
Heat is not a serious condition, and rarely requires any specific treatment. Most blocked sweat glands will disappear naturally after a few days.
However, if you have Blocked sweat glands, there are a number of steps, such as those that are listed below, which may help to ease your symptoms.
* Avoid excessive heat and humidity where possible. Try to spend some time in the shade, or try taking a small fan out with you. Being exposed to heat will only make you sweat more, and could make your blocked sweat glands worse.
* Keep your skin cool. Taking a cool bath, or shower, will help prevent sweating and will also soothe your skin.
* Calamine lotion can be used on your hand if your skin feels sore and irritated. It will help cool and soothe your skin. You can buy it at most pharmacies.
* Hydrocortisone cream can be used if your blocked sweat glands on your hand feels particularly itchy and irritated. You can buy low-strength hydrocortisone cream from your local pharmacy. However, always follow the instructions on the packet.
Posted by chuck