When I get hot... I itch!

[Culler]

For the third time running, in the last two years, I've developed a rather uncomfortable rash from a minor to moderate sunburn. I used to never get rashes, I'd burn, and that'd be the end of it.  I don't know if there's a correlation here, but I got mono when I was about 15, and it was pretty bad! All the normal symptoms and all that jazz, but I had the most excruciating rash ever. Over nearly my entire body; I'm talking everywhere, even in my mouth! Anyway, since then, when I'm exposed to the sun and burn - even a little - I get what I'm assuming is some sort of heat rash. The burned areas get it first, it's prickly, thick, raised and it burns and itches far worse than a normal burn. The body of it is solid on any section, then towards the edges it thins out, so to speak, into small bumps. The kicker is... It spreads like wildfire. Any suggestions of how to deal with it? Even on a short term basis?

[Culler]

Cold DOES help, at it seems to be getting better... But it still acts up if it gets scratched or rubbed... But thank you! The lidocaine's a good idea.

[Itches]

I'm not sure what it is, but to relieve the symptoms, your usual sunburn products would have a numbing effect... anything with lidocaine.  Also, aloe relieves burning.  Ice could also work wonders and would also take down swelling and stop the burning skin.  I hope this helps.

[Culler]

Thank you so very much for your input! As far as I can tell, it's not prickly heat.. It's never in an area that's not exposed to sun, and burned. I've never had it under my breasts, arms or on my thighs. However, it is small red dots.. Right now it's strictly on the surfaces of both my forearms and my upper chest and neck, where I burned.
Claritin helped a bit, and just not touching the area helps, it seems to recede back into the small bumps, not the raised, red, thick rash.. If, however, it is scratched or irritated, it swells, burns and becomes more apparent.
It is VERY irritating, but I do thank you for your help, and hope it gets better! I suppose if it persists too long, or comes back for a fourth go, I'll just go have it looked at.
Cheers!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis, but the symptoms are suggestive of prickly heat(malaria) or sweat dermatitis. Prickly heat (miliaria) is an itchy skin rash caused by trapped sweat. It tends to occur on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms. Tiny red spots with itching and pricking sensation are the characteristic appearance of this rash.

Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime.Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice if there is any increased sweating.Try keeping the skin free of sweat as far as possible. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.For the itching antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin can be taken.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.