Can Heat Rash Be Associated with Other Underlying Medical Conditions?

Heat rash is a skin condition that is known to happen as a result of excess sweating. It is usually caused by a blockage of the sweat ducts. There are a number of things that can lead to the blocking of the sweat ducts. As these ducts are blocked, there is little evaporation of the sweat, which leads to the trapping of perspiration in the inner layers of the skin.

The main cause of heat rash is excessive sweating. This is very common to people living in tropical areas. Children also suffer from this condition due to their underdeveloped sweat glands.

Symptoms of Heat Rash 

In most cases, the symptoms experienced by individuals with heat rash are similar to the symptoms of other skin diseases. This means that you may experience symptoms of prickly heat as a result of other skin infections. They may include:

Itching

Itching is a common symptom of a skin infection, especially heat rash. Itching might come as a result of other underlying medical infections like Lichen planus, which is a skin rash that is brought about by autoimmune disorders.

Blisters

Having tiny blisters is another symptom of prickly heat. Having blisters can suggest underlying infections such as prurigo.

Medical Conditions That Can Be Associated with Heat Rash

In some cases, there are people who experience specific medical conditions before the onset of their heat rash. They are:

• Folliculitis - It is an infection of the hair follicles of the skin. Once these structures are affected, they get inflamed. Once the hair follicles are inflamed, there will be a blockage of the sweat ducts that leads to the formation of miliaria.

• Urticaria - In case you have this type of condition, it is likely to be manifested the same way as prickly heat. It is a condition that results from certain allergic reactions. It causes red and itchy rashes similar to miliaria.

• Chickenpox - has similar symptoms as those of heat rash. Experiencing symptoms of miliaria can be highly associated with the chickenpox disease.

• Parkinson’s disease - This is a condition that is not directly associated with heat rash. However, people having Parkinson’s disease have high chances of suffering from miliaria. Medications for treating Parkinson’s disease are known to inhibit perspiration; hence, causing prickly heat.

• Fluid balance - It is also a medical condition that is not directly associated with heat rash. Nevertheless, people taking water pills or diuretic medications are at a higher risk of getting heat rash. These are medications that alter the fluid balance in the body, which results in prickly heat.

• Bacterial infections - Bacterial infection of the skin is an another medical condition that is highly related to heat rash. People who have suffered from bacterial infections are likely to experience prickly heat. An example of a bacterium of the skin that is highly associated with heat rash is Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Other conditions that are related to heat rash are measles and allergic reactions.

The Bottom Line

Prickly heat is a condition that can be mistaken for many skin diseases. The condition can also be associated with other medical conditions unknown to the individual. Heat rash should go away within a few days. However, in cases where symptoms are as a result of other infections, the patient may experience the following:

• Increased skin warmth, redness, and pain 
• Production of pus from the lesions
• Swelling of the affected areas

After you notice the symptoms mentioned above, visit a specialist as soon as possible to test for other infections.