Heat rash

Heat rash looks like this and can be quite annoying.

Heat rash is best described as that pregnancy symptom which causes you to break out in itchy, red patches all over your body. These red patches are usually accompanied by small, raised bumps which gives heat rash its other popular name: prickly rash.

Heat rash is caused by heat and sweat and the rubbing of body parts on other body parts or clothing. The most common parts of your body in which heat rash is observed during pregnancy include: the crease of your breasts, the crease between your lower bump and pubic areas and your inner thighs, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen in other places.

How do I relieve heat rash?

Heat rash is usually preceded by dry, itchy skin and as a result can be relieved using many of the same tactics including:

• Rubbing an ice cube or cold compress on the affected area.
• Using calamine lotion for temporary relief.
• Wearing loose maternity wear.
• Taking warm baths, not hot ones. You can also try an oatmeal bath for relief.
• Applying cornstarch or talc-free powder to the affected areas. These Products will absorb excess moisture which only makes heat rash worse.
• Using unscented soaps and lotions, scented ones can be irritants.
• Talking to your doctor about an over-the-counter product if nothing else works.

More Pregnancy Skin Changes