The UK is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with a red weather warning for extreme heat now in force. Temperatures are expected to peak at 37°C in London and across much of southern England on Wednesday and Thursday, with 35°C forecast across the Midlands and south-east Wales. Both the Met Office and the UK Government are calling on people to take immediate steps to protect themselves, while schools across the country have announced closures to safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff. People have also been advised to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.
Why Babies Are at Risk
One of the most pressing concerns during such extreme heat is how babies and young children cope, particularly overnight. With the upper floors of homes — where bedrooms are typically located — considerably warmer than the ground floor, and with little relief to be gained from opening windows, keeping children's rooms at a comfortable temperature is proving a significant challenge for many parents. As a result, you may notice that your children are sluggish and irritable — which is entirely understandable in these conditions and not necessarily a cause for alarm — or that they have developed a heat rash. Should you have any concerns that your child is experiencing something more serious, you should seek medical advice without delay.
Symptoms of Heat Rash in Babies
Heat rash may be unpleasant, but the NHS describes it as "usually harmless" and states it "usually gets better on its own after a few days". The symptoms of heat rash are identical in adults, children and babies and can develop anywhere on the body, according to the Mirror. The symptoms are: small, raised spots; an itchy, burning or prickly feeling; and mild swelling.
What Does Heat Rash Look Like?
A heat rash appears as a cluster of tiny bumps, not unlike pimples, with each bump typically measuring around 1 to 3 millimetres in width. On lighter skin, they tend to appear red, while on darker skin tones, the bumps may look grey or white. This is the most prevalent form of heat rash, known medically as "miliaria rubra". The Cleveland Clinic notes that heat rash "can also appear as tiny, clear bumps" which "look a bit like water droplets". This variety of heat rash is referred to as "miliaria crystalline" and most commonly affects newborns as a milder form that may not cause itchiness or discomfort.
Where Do Heat Rashes Form?
Heat rash can develop anywhere on the body. In babies, it tends to be common in: armpits, elbow creases, neck, groin (diaper area), and upper chest and back. In adults, heat rash commonly forms on the arms, back, chest (especially under the breasts), and legs (especially on inner thighs).
How to Treat Heat Rash
The NHS advises that heat rash will generally clear up on its own within a few days, adding that "the main thing to do is keep your skin cool so you do not sweat and irritate the rash". While this can be challenging during the intense heat currently being felt across much of the UK, steps you can take to keep your skin cool include wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing, using lightweight bedding, and having cooler baths. To soothe the rash and relieve the prickling sensation, you can apply something cool such as a damp cloth or ice pack, or a pharmacist may recommend a lotion, antihistamine tablets or hydrocortisone cream (although this cream is rarely prescribed for younger children).
Other Rashes in Babies and Children
It is worth checking that your baby's rash is not one of the following conditions — you can see how they all appear on the NHS website: slapped cheek syndrome, hand, foot and mouth disease, scarlet fever, measles, eczema, ringworm, chicken pox, and impetigo.
When to Call a Doctor
The NHS advises that you should call 999 or go to A&E straight away if your child or baby develops a rash, appears unwell, and displays any of the following symptoms: stiff neck; bothered by light; they seem confused, agitated or they're not responding like they usually do; difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast; skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue, grey or blotchy; sudden swelling of their lips, mouth, throat or tongue; throat feels tight or struggling to swallow; rash looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you press a glass against it.
