Cures for Prickly Heat/Eczema

Willow2 · 2002-07-31T22:33:33+00:00

Ok, so we've had a couple of days of hot weather and already my ds is coming out in prickly heat/ezcema type rash. Not sure which though - what does prickly heat look like? Mainly on torso, inner knees, elbows and underarms. Don't know whether I'm best to not put sun tan lotion, on as this seems to bring the whole thing on, or not. Also, anyone got any advice on homeopathic treatments for this sort of thing? We saw a homeopath ages ago (he had bad eczema when he was very young) but for the past year his skin has been pretty good - apart from when he gets hot. Have still got some Morgan tablets from last year which I might try - plus friend has recommended petroleum 6c cream. Anyone know what the best homeopathic remedy is for heat provoked rashes? Alternatively can anyone recommend a web site? Sorry for posting this again but no response to earlier post yet.

mears · 31/07/2002 23:36

Eurax is wonderful - not homeopathic and not for children under 3 yrs.

sb34 · 31/07/2002 23:58

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Willow2 · 31/07/2002 23:59

DS only two and a quarter. Any other suggestions?

OP posts:

mears · 01/08/2002 00:08

You can buy Eurax over the counter. My ds no.3 had a horrendour rash after being in th esun in an outside swimming pool. I went to Boots and the pharmacist recommended it. It is for the relief of itching and skin irriatations. It 'stops itching fast and works for up to 10 hours'.
It actually says for children under 3 consult your doctor and only apply once a day.

Willow2 - go down to your local chemist and ask what they advise. I think we forget they are qualified to do that and you don't necessarily need a dr's appointment. let us know how you get on.

Kia · 01/08/2002 20:22

I've just a book from our local library called 'What really works for kids' by Susan Clark - who was the award winning writer on alternative health for the sunday times. Just saw the beginning of this thread and remembered what is in her book about eczema:

5 star tip
SK Cream for eczema is one of those secreta word of mouth remedies that people only tell their relatives and friends about....etc etc but it goes on to say that a 30ml jar costs £9.95 incl p&p and mail order call 01526 832491, It also tells you to remember that this is 'kitchen table (actually a cow barn) business with only one line so be patient if you cant get through first time....

I have the other book in this series - what really works for adults and cannot praise it highly enough. It doesn't blind you with alternative crap - it tells you what she thinks and then you can make your own choice.

I'm about to start on the Austrialian Bush Flower remedies, if only my own copy of the book would hurry up and get here... ps I am NOT on commission OR a relative!!!

Jaybee · 06/08/2002 14:53

I have always found that Piriton syrup works for prickly heat, heat rash, insect bites etc. I always take it on holiday with me and there is always a bottle in my fridge.

Alley22 · 30/08/2002 13:14

I second that Jaybee , my son is prone to prickly heat, allergic reactions etc, so I have a bottle of Piriton I keep and I also keep a bottle at my son's nursery. It even came in handy when we were out once and my friend came up badly in prickly heat, and shes 26!

He also had bad ezcema when he was a baby but he has been on a dairy/egg free diet since he was 14 months old (as he had bad reactions to both) and I havent seen the ezcema since, whether it is linked or coincidence I have no idea.

SofiaAmes · 31/08/2002 02:14

Willow2, I got terrible prickly heat rash during my last pregnancy and just started again during this one. I've found that St.Luke's Prickly Heat Powder works wonderfully. A korean friend told me about it and my parents found it in Hong Kong for me. But I would be that you could find it in China town or a Chinese medicine clinic. It comes in a metal can and looks like yellow talcom powder. It is a mixture of an antihistamine, boric acid, menthol and calamine. I have no idea whether it's ok for kids, but my gp seemed to think it wasn't harmful when I was pregnant and the ingredients are not ones that are normally no-no's for children.

Original poster

Willow2 · 31/08/2002 10:55

thanks 2 u all. Also, seem to have found sun screen that doesn't make things worse - only problem is it's Neals Yard lavender one, costs a fortune for a smidgen, but it works.

OP posts:

janh · 31/08/2002 13:16

Willow2, I don't know if this is any help for your ds, but in a previous sunscreen/prickly heat thread somebody recommended Piz Buin Allergy sunscreen - quite expensive, £11.79 a bottle I think, don't know how that compares with your Neals Yard, also it's only Factor 15, which may not be strong enough for you.

Anyway I used it on holiday this year - I don't sunbathe but always get awful prickly heat on all exposed bits, and this year I didn't, so it does work. SofiaAmes, might it help you?

SofiaAmes · 31/08/2002 22:47

thanks, janh. I use an american PABA-free sunscreen and haven't gotten prickly heat from sunbathing since I started using it. The problem now is a pregnancy one and although it's a prickly heat rash it is coming out in freezing cold not-sunny england. go figure.

janh · 01/09/2002 00:05

Ohhh - OK, SofiaAmes - just (just!) a preggy thing! (Bloody annoying though!) Think I read somewhere that you are at 36 weeks so you don't have too long to go - good luck - hope the itchies stop after that!

(The ST Lukes stuff sounds great, I'll try to find it in Chinatown in Manchester next year.)

Original poster

Willow2 · 01/09/2002 09:49

janh - I use the same Piz Buin - but thought it might be a bit low factor for ds who's 2 1/2. Anyone got any ideas on this?

Am convinced that the problem is that they make kids sunscreens (and many adult ones) so water proof now that you just can't sweat.

OP posts:

janh · 01/09/2002 10:59

I think it just depends how long he's likely to be in the sun - the numbers are supposed to be an indication of how many times longer you can stay in the sun without burning, compared to wearing no sunscreen at all - if he is very fair then factor 15 would probably do him for 2-3 hours.

Not sure what the rules are for then re-applying though. It's a bit complicated!

Was it you who raised the question of waterproof-ness before? Since I read that I looked out for water-resistant only (which the Piz Buin is) and that does seem to make a difference.

Anyway pretty soon we can forget it for another year - one good thing about rotten English summers!

loopylisa · 07/08/2003 14:10

can anyone help with a brilliant prevention of prickly heat,we are going to greece on wednesday and myself and my son suffer with terrible blisters,we can cope with the itching its the blisters thats getting us down.

eidsvold · 08/08/2003 08:03

I found cooling them with a washer when changing the nappy helped keep prickly heat down - if that does not work - lanacane medicated powder helped keep the skin dry and cured dd's prickly heat. This is fine for children and babies - checked with chemist prior to buying it for dd.

I use a medicated family powder which helps me prevent prickly heat

Cyndii · 14/08/2003 16:30

I highly recommend aloe vera cream called propolis! Brilliant can't recomend it enough!

Veggie · 19/08/2003 13:19

I used to suffer from prickly heat. Loose cotton clothing helped, also baby powder, and avoiding creams and lotions and medicines...
My dd had some prickly heat spots/red area on her back in the recent hot weather, which she got from being stuck in a car seat; her back was soaking wet from sweat that couldn't escape because of the car seat.
Your ds also has it in areas that aren't aired (inner knees underarms). I used baby powder on dd and it helped; we also put a towel on the car seat back to try and keep her dry.

Veggie · 19/08/2003 13:20

I used to suffer from prickly heat. Loose cotton clothing helped, also baby powder, and avoiding creams and lotions and medicines...
My dd had some prickly heat spots/red area on her back in the recent hot weather, which she got from being stuck in a car seat; her back was soaking wet from sweat that couldn't escape because of the car seat.
Your ds also has it in areas that aren't aired (inner knees underarms). I used baby powder on dd and it helped; we also put a towel on the car seat back to try and keep her dry.

Veggie · 19/08/2003 13:20

I used to suffer from prickly heat. Loose cotton clothing helped, also baby powder, and avoiding creams and lotions and medicines...
My dd had some prickly heat spots/red area on her back in the recent hot weather, which she got from being stuck in a car seat; her back was soaking wet from sweat that couldn't escape because of the car seat.
Your ds also has it in areas that aren't aired (inner knees underarms). I used baby powder on dd and it helped; we also put a towel on the car seat back to try and keep her dry.

Veggie · 19/08/2003 13:23

I used to suffer from prickly heat. Loose cotton clothing helped, also baby powder, and avoiding creams and lotions and medicines...
My dd had some prickly heat spots/red area on her back in the recent hot weather, which she got from being stuck in a car seat; her back was soaking wet from sweat that couldn't escape because of the car seat.
Your ds also has it in areas that aren't aired (inner knees underarms). I used baby powder on dd and it helped; we also put a towel on the car seat back to try and keep her dry.

tris20 · 11/07/2006 17:32

My daughter suffers with prickly heat rash whenever she uses sun cream she is allergic to it,i use jason sumbrella chemical and perfume free suncream, you can get it from a health shop or order off internet its expensiye but it works for my daughter so i dont mind i hope it helps some of you its spf 30+