Heat rash?! What can I do for poor DS

[FusionChefGeoff]

This is definitely not sunburn as it goes away at night but comes back in the day. Did think it was something on the sunbeds but have avoided those and used different towels / sun cream / clothes but 20 mins in the pool today and it's back.

Cetirizine seemed to help yesterday have also tried Piriton and the Allevia stuff but he's in so much discomfort with the itching it's horrible.

Tried cool showers, ice, even rinsing in mineral water. Tried aloe Vera, after sun and E45 itch cream. Nothing works so far

Sorry posted too soon!!

Any ideas of what it might be so how we can avoid it tomorrow and any other suggestions to get rid of it?!?

Thanks

It could well be the suncream. I had an allergic reaction to some and it took a couple of weeks to die down. despite having an antihistimine injection and a trip to hospital.

What age is your DS? Also what country are you in?

I get heat rash on every hot holiday! Hydrocortisone cream works for me, but I'm not sure how advisable it is for children.

Lots of water, lots of lose clothing (natural fabrics only too!) and anything to avoid sweat build up on the skin works for me.

Chlorine rash? My DD gets a rash if she doesn’t shower as soon as she comes out of the pool and if she spends too long in the water.

Where are you? Been swimming in the sea at all? Could be sealice/jellyfish larvae. You can't see them. They sting when you get out and shower in fresh water and the rash is horrid. I think it does get a bit better overnight then sore again in heat/happens again when swimming same place.

It could be a sun allergy rash. You need a factor 50 sunscreen( as hypoallergenic as possible) and clothes at all times. Even in the pool. Keep out of the sun as much as you can. Antihistamines and cooling gel help, but the only sure fire way is to block the sun completely. Not ideal when you are on holiday I know !
I get this even in the UK and its horrible. Hugs for your poor DS.

Can’t be sea lice as swimming in a pool.
It is most likely the sun cream. My DD is allergic to most of them. We get the Holland and Barrett stuff for her.

Thanks everyone - he's 10, we're in Zakinthos and did swim in the sea on Sunday but I'd noticed it starting to come up before then. It started off just a bit red on Sat and I thought he was burnt but it went down so yippee I thought we've got away with that. Sunday was fine. Then yesterday and today he's in agony from lunchtime until hopefully this evening..?!

I don't get if it's suncream why it's just in this pattern on his shoulders and not everywhere?! We used P20 on Sat / Sun (used it before without any issues) but have now got a L'Oréal
Super sensitive one factor 50

We're in the apartment now having screen time and ice pack on his shoulders.

Sudocreme and T-shirt on for bed as it gets everywhere it’s the only thing that helps me if it’s prickly heat it really stops the itch .

Some advice here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/

I got this loads as a child and still do.

It sound counter-intuitive but actually a hot bath/shower helped me- because it's caused by blocked sweat glands, the heat can force them open.

May not work for everyone, but it's possibly worth a try.

You didn't say it was only on his shoulders!
Agree- an allergic reaction is likely to be more widespread.
Heat rash is usually located in the hotter parts of the body - shoulders would seem to be unusual.
Are you sure it's not sunburn? Is he covered in the pool - UV rash top or similar?

Oh weird it’s on the shoulders! And definitely not sunburn? I’d put him a top all day tomorrow. A UV swim one if you have but if not a cotton t shirt will be fine and he can still swim in it. See if that helps.

It’s a reaction to the sun itself. Polymorphous light erruption. Both me and my husband get it.
We have had to experiment with various sun creams to find one that helps.
Anti histamines can help.
Showers as soon as out of sun.
Basically the only way to really stop it is by staying out the sun! Is he wearing a T-shirt in the pool? If not get one. You can sort of push through it but it takes several days.
sun cream must have high uvb protection.

It’s a reaction to the sun itself. Polymorphous light erruption.

This is what I was going to say. If it’s this it’s a reaction to the light from the sun, not the heat (which is heat rash).

Can’t do much except stay out of the sun unfortunately.

ultimately the area with the rash needs to be covered up in the sun - so a t shirt in the swimming pool etc. keep giving oral anti histamines and he can put anti histamine cream on the rash for itching. I use ultra sun sensitive on my chest (which is where I get mine) and don’t have it when I use that.

It sounds like what is called prickly heat or what @Smartiepants79 said, since I started using Ultrasun I haven't had it at all.

Sorry I thought I'd attached this picture!!

Definitely not sunburn as disappears at night