How to Treat Prickly Heat (Ghamori) in Summer: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies & Prevention

Harsh summers and high temperatures may cause excessive sweating, itching, redness, and rashes all over your body. 

If you observe all of these with tiny reddish-pink or grey-whitish bumps on your skin. These are the signs of having ghamori.

It becomes especially irritating during hot and humid conditions. It can generally be seen in people living in coastal areas. It can, however, affect people of all ages and walks of life.

In this blog, we will discuss what it is and what preventive measures you can take to make it better. We will also understand when you should consult a doctor for the same. 

What is Prickly Heat (Ghamori)?

It is a common skin condition that can be generally observed in the summer or when there is a sweat trap on the skin. Generally, redness, itching, or small reddish bumps can be observed. It is medically known as Miliaria. 

This is more commonly observed in kids since they have underdeveloped sweat glands. However, it may affect anyone, especially in the summer. 

It is generally of three types:

• Miliaria crystallina (mild)
• Miliaria rubra (common itchy form)
• Miliaria profunda (severe, rare)

What Causes Prickly Heat?

Multiple factors are involved in summer heat rash, which may be internal or external, some of which are listed below:

• Underdeveloped sweat ducts in kids may lead to improper draining of sweat and thus cause bumps. 
• Prolonged bed rest may lead to the accumulation of sweat in a particular area and cause inflammation. 
• Tight clothes with little breathability may not allow proper evaporation of sweat and thus lead to the blocking of sweat ducts.
• Applying thick creams may prove comedogenic and lead to the appearance of bumps. 
• Prolonged physical activity may cause excessive heat from the body and thus sweat, leading to rashes. 

Also Read: Best Medicine For Skin Rash

Symptoms of Prickly Heat 

Heat rash or prickly heat symptoms may vary from person to person, depending on age, colour, and how deeply the sweat ducts are blocked:

• Bumps that are about 2- 4 millimetres in size and are itchy
• Reddish pink bumps on white skin
• Grey or white bumps on the skin of colour
• Mild swelling 
• Irritation 
• Redness 
• puss-filled lesions (rare but might be due to bacterial infections)

How to Treat Prickly Heat at Home?

Prickly heat or ghamori can be treated at home by following simple steps:

Medical Treatments for Severe Prickly Heat (Ghamori)

Prickly heat treatment for adults may involve multiple approaches, such as cooling down the redness, unclogging pores, and draining the sweat glands. These can be achieved by using:

• Topical steroids: Creams such as hydrocortisone and triamcinolone may help reduce redness, itching and irritation 
• Antihistamines: Drugs such as fexofenadine, loratidine and cetrizine may help relieve flare-ups. 
• Steroids: Drugs such as prednisone and hydrocortisone can be used to calm down inflammation.
• Calamine Lotion: It works by drying up bumps of sweat and giving a cooling sensation, thus providing relief. 

Also Read: Best Lotion for Itching Skin in India

Best Heat Rash Treatment Product Recommendations from Zeelab Pharmacy

Explore effective Zeelab Pharmacy products that help soothe prickly heat (ghamori), relieve itching, and keep your skin comfortable during hot and humid weather.

Here are some Zeelab products that may help manage ghamori symptoms and provide relief during the summer season:

Coolmine Lotion

Coolmine Lotion

Coolmine lotion is a WHO-GMP-certified lotion that contains soothing agents like Calamine to provide relief from itching, redness, and burning sensations. 

• Composition: Calamine (15% w/v) , Zinc Oxide (5% w/v) , Bentonite (3% w/v) , Sodium Citrate (0.5% w/v) , Aloe Vera (5% w/v) , Vitamin E Acetate (0.5% w/v) , Glycerin (5% w/v)
• Benefits: It helps soothe the irritation and redness from rashes and also keeps skin moisturised and fresh. 

Dermzex Dusting Powder

Dermzex Medicated Antiseptic Prickly Heat Dusting Powder

Dermzex is a WHO-GMP-certified antiseptic drying powder that contains benzoic acid, starch, menthol and salicylic acid. It helps with skin irritation and gives a cooling sensation upon application. 

• Composition: Salicylic Acid (3% w/w), Benzoic Acid (6% w/w), Menthol (0.08% w/w), Starch (31% w/w)
• Benefits: It helps in soothing irritation on the skin, controls moisture and shows anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. 

How to Prevent Prickly Heat in Summer?

Heat rash can be prevented in adults by following simple steps in our day-to-day life: 

Maintain Personal Hygiene

• Taking regular baths can help remove dirt, dead cells or sweat, thus preventing the clogging of pores. 
• Taking cool showers can help regulate body temperature better
• Good hygiene can also help in avoiding the sweat-infested infection

Avoid Overheating

• Avoid long workouts, as this may raise body temperature and cause irritation and rashes. 
• Avoid staying in the heat for long durations of time, as it may lead to sweating and clogging of bumps. 

Choose Skin-Friendly Clothing

• Choose loose clothes to avoid friction with the skin and rashes 
• Choose clothes that are made of breathable material to avoid excessive heat trapping and maintain body temperature. 

Skin Care Routine Adjustments

• Do not use comedogenic products 
• Can use calamine lotion and non-comedogenic products 

Prickly Heat in Babies and Children

Children and infants are generally the most affected by rashes and are often unable to tell or show signs of irritation. 

This may sometimes be misinterpreted. So, it becomes important to identify the issue and provide the correct measures to ease the discomfort.

Signs of discomfort in children that may indicate rashes: 

• Scratching 
• Irritability 
• Poor sleep 
• Crying 
• Swelling 

Causes of Heat Rash in Babies

Heat rash in babies or children may be mainly due to:

• Prolonged rest in one direction 
• Underdeveloped sweat glands 
• Tighter clothing 

How to Treat Ghamori (Prickly Heat) in Babies?

Treatment of prickly heat rash in babies may differ a little from that of adults: 

• A cold bath may help reduce body temperature and relieve the irritation 
• Pay attention to areas that have folded skin - legs, hands, neck 
• Dress the child in light, loose clothes to avoid friction between clothes and the skin
• Do not apply thick, greasy oils to the affected areas 
• Try to let the affected area be in direct contact with the air 

When to See a Doctor

When should you draw the line between home therapies and start actually consulting medical professionals for heat rash?

FOR ADULTS  

• The rash does not get better, even after medication
• Symptoms persist or intensify.
• Severe itching, pain or burning occurs.
• The skin is swollen or extremely red.
• Drainage of pus or fluids is seen
• The rash is followed by a fever.
• The rash comes back without any clear trigger.

IN INFANTS AND BABIES 

• If the baby has a fever and rash.
• If you observe a rash spreading quickly all over the body
• Baby is very fussy or sleepy.
• Changes in feeding behaviour are perceptible.
• Blisters, pus or crusts form on the skin.
• The rash does not get better with keeping the baby cool and dry.

Conclusion

Ghamori, or prickly heat, is a common skin condition that can be seen mostly in the summer or coastal regions of India. It doesn't usually affect the quality of life, but may cause temporary discomfort. 

It is not long-term, so mild ghamori can be treated at home with home remedies. Keeping the skin cool and dry can help in better and earlier recovery and can prevent it from recurring. 

If the rashes last for a longer time, even after primary aid, then consultation with your doctor is suggested.