Prickly heat treatment
- If possible, avoid excessive heat and humidity.
- Avoid further sweating. Even if this is possible for just a few hours each day it can make a big difference. For example, staying in an air conditioned room for a few hours a day. A cool bath can also be soothing and help to avoid sweating.
- Calamine lotion may cool and soothe the skin.
- Wear loose cotton clothing.
- A steroid cream may soothe the irritation whilst waiting for the condition to clear with the above measures. You can buy hydrocortisone cream, which is a mild steroid cream, from pharmacies.
Prickly heat normally goes in a few days. But, it can sometimes last several weeks if the hot and humid conditions remain.
More help and advice
- More facts and help on skin conditions
- Expert advice on heat rash
- What you need in your medicine cabinet
© EMIS and PIP 2004 Updated: November 2002 CHIQ Accredited
All pages in this article:
Share this article
- Comment (2)
- Send to a friend
- Print: Article | Page
Find out more
Get to more facts
Find expert help
Your stories & tips
Quick Tips
- Be the first to share a tip on this subject, click here





vinithbejugam, 4 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
hello, i'm vinith grieving for relief from prickly heat.i am little fat and 17 yrs old. i got lots of pimples on my body.some are vanishing and again there is an increase. it is hereditary.as i stay in india ,it is hot here in my place for me ,too much irritation and burning sensation occurs when i'll do even little jobs, that too under fan before sweating. it pains a lot.give me some advices how to get totally rid of it apart from the common ones.also give me some suggestions ,how to get rid of the marks which have got created due to the pimples. i plead u for your help and i'll be grateful for u if i'll be helped because i then will become the most happiest person on earth. thank u very much