Need Remedies for Severe Heat Rash - EMBARRASSING

Updated on July 17, 2012
S.S. asks from Mansfield, TX
19 answers

Okay ladies, I am at my wit's end. We have been without A/C in our home for 2 weeks now and I have broken out in the worst case of heat rash in the creases of my thighs. It is so painful and itchy that I get to the verge of tears at least a dozen times a day. I have tried powders, creams, sleeping with nothing on (that's the part my hubby loves). But seeing as how I never get the chance to cool down I don't know what else to do. This morning I even tried ice packs. It's so bad it wakes me up at night and I have to excuse myself about eight times during the night at work just to go relieve the itching. Yes ladies, it's heat rash. It's not an STD, it's not jock itch. Has anyone ever had this happen and if so what did you do? I don't know how much more I can take. I want to literally scratch all the skin off.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Ok so I took all of your remedies and here's what I did. First, A/C got fixed on Saturday, so that helped. I took cool showers, seeing as how I don't have a tub. Let the area air dry. Put Lady Monkey Butt on the area to absorb moisture and calm the itching. Found my son's ointment for his yeast infection from 2 years ago, started using it. And I found that I had a week's worth of prednisone pills in my medicine cabinet, starting taking 1/2 pill twice a day. Between all of that and not sweating so much at night, it's clearing up!!!!

Thanks for all the advice!

Featured Answers

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Bath (OFTEN) in a cool/tempid bath with baking soda - allow to air dry for 10 or so min apply mylanta (yes stuff for the tummy) with zinc cream or vaseline over it then cover with a large bandage or even a hand towel and wrap with ace bandage. The sucky thing is it will just keep coming back if you can not keep cool!

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Cornstarch several times a day will help. We also use it when my kids get gaulded or chaffed around the bum area from being out in the heat. It keeps the skin from rubbing, making the condition worse. I have used Cortaid for the itching.

Sorry! I know you must be miserable.

3 moms found this helpful

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Deodorant w/ Antiperspirant

The white solid kind. Secret unscented solid is ideal, ANY antiperspirant will help, however, Secret Unscented Solid is the best. I always keep some around in hot weather, even though I never use solid there!

Not only soothes the chafe, but prevents you from sweating there which helps to keep the rash from getting worse so it can heal.

IIHint: That also works for razorburn when 'trimming the hedges' actualy means shaving them. Just secret unscented solid right after shaving, and any time you start to rub together.

Also: Good for ANYWHERE where friction and dampness is an issue/concern in the heat. Under your breasts, at your groin, etc. Swipe before rubbing yourself raw.))

ALSO TAKE SOME TYLENOL &/OR IBUPROFEN :) :) :)

Heatrash HURTS, taking an analgesic helps with the pain of more than just headaches!!!

((I always forget this when I've done something Ouch! outside of my normal Ouch!Maneuvers until later... so you may well have done already.))

6 moms found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

Heat rash can EASILY turn yeasty. So you may need an antifungal, but if it's not yeasty yet, diaper rash cream is your new best friend!

And do NOT use it now because it'll burn like hell, but vinegar in a spray bottle misted over rash prone spots after your bath/shower helps PREVENT rashes. And also RINSING VERY, VERY good, soap left behind on the skin is NOT a good thing!

4 moms found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Reno on

I agree with dawn! Have you tried showering, using cool water and not using any soaps(except maybe underarms), drying off gently with a towel, then I suggest a lightweight skirt, no undies(keeps stuff off your sensitive skin and maybe just pat yourself down there with a cold damp cloth?

3 moms found this helpful

C.W.

answers from Lynchburg on

Oh mama!

My 'special daughter is just now getting over heat rash...

I have been having her soak in oatmeal and baking soda baths. (2X daily).

I have been having her EAT lots of watermelon...and have actually used the rinds on the rash. I have her eating pineapple as well (supposed to help...and cannot hurt...)

I have cornstarch powder...that I alternate with 'gold bond' lotion.

I do not 'towel' her off...but leave her to air dry as much as I can.

I keep her drinking water...at every opportunity.

I send healing thoughts...(cool ones too!)

Best Luck!
michele/cat

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

So sorry, honey! You need to get to the doctor. The truth is, it is probably no long just heat rash. It's probably now systemic and can end up spreading and causing you a lot of trouble.

This happened to my husband, though heat wasn't involved. He got a spot on his leg. (Don't know what it was from.) That was on a Thursday. By Sunday night, it had spread all over his leg and was driving him up a wall. He was supposed to fly out on Monday afternoon. He didn't know what he was going to do - he could hardly sleep, it was so bad.

I had a relationship with a dermatologist who had seen me and my kids. I called that office and explained what was going on and begged them to take my husband. They did. I took him down there, the doctor said that it was impossible to tell what had started it, but it was in his bloodstream and could end up being serious. ALL OVER 4 DAYS, Mama! Scary! He gave him a shot that he said would stay in his system for 6 weeks. He gave him powerful oral antibiotics, and some powerful prescription medicine in cream form to put on it. He also told him that if he didn't get better or got worse, to go to the hospital where he would be visiting and have them call him. My bet is that he was thinking IV antibiotics.

My husband DID end up getting better, though it took a few days. He went on his business trip and did not have to go to the hospital. Now when we see a little spot on his leg (and we have), we treat it immediately. We also, per the doctor's instructions, switched to Tide or All Free and Clear and he uses Cera Ve lotion on his skin (the dermatologist sells it a little cheaper than the drug store). We never take this stuff for granted now.

Please get to the doctor - a dermatologist if you possibly can. I don't want you to go through this like my husband did.

Dawn

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D.B.

answers from Madison on

Sounds like maybe a yeast infection? I had a rash between my boobs last summer, they got huge when I was pregnant. Doctor said to get over the counter yeast infection cream (I had to try about 3 or 4 to get it gone). It pitched so bad it was bloody. I would try that.

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K.A.

answers from San Diego on

Honestly, I use my kids' diaper cream. My 2 favorites are either Triple Paste or Boudreaux's Butt Paste. The smell of Boudreaux's Butt Paste is a lot like any nice lotion you would use and doesn't smell like diaper cream at all. Triple Paste doesn't really smell either. I will sometimes use a little A&D at night only (I hate the smell of that stuff! I don't even use it on my kids if I can help it but we have some in the house and I'll grab it).
When I was pregnant during the summer with my third I used it all the time under my breasts because I kept getting heat rash there. I've used it in the crooks of my legs when I get it there.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Put a fan in the bathroom and stand in front of it while drying off, you can even use a hair dryer on cool to make sure there is not moistness left on your body. Lift and separate the breast, ..Use the hair dryer between your legs and thighs.
Then powder yourself, or as the mom said use the deodorant.

Then at night, sleep with a fan, just on you.. I like the tower fan with the remote.. I even use it during the winter, I am so warm blooded.
I like to take a rolled up towel and place it between my knees to keep my legs apart from each other.. When I am so hot.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I'm willing to bet, that's it's yeast. You need to see your doctor and get a topical cream and antibiotic.

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Powder can cause yeast infections on top of the original heat rash. Try an anti fungal cream and talk to the pharmacist, or call your primary care physician because you may need a prescription. Neosporin is for a bacterial rash and could make a yeast rash worse. But I think you need more than what you are doing or this could cause scarring on top of the misery.

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

You could try an Epsom salt bath and see if that helps.

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J.K.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I had the same thing once on my upper thighs, go.to the doctor, they have a cream for it, plus as someone else said, it may have never a yeast infection. Taking a bath with baking soda can help dry it out also.

D.L.

answers from Dallas on

That has got to be the worst feeling in the world!! Can you get your A/C back on? That would help I'm sure. I know we are going to have 100+ days this week. I think a trip to the Dr is in order since you've tried all the powders and creams etc.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

A bath with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal will help take the itch out.
You can find Domeboro Powder Packets at your drug store, add it to your bath and that is good for many rashes.
You can also try Bag Balm.
Cool the area by putting ice in a zip lock bag, then wrap that in a wash cloth and apply to areas on and off every 5-10 minutes.

http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/Domeboro-Powder-Pa...

K.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Have you tried Goldbond Medicated Powder? I get heat rashes and that is what I use. Works like a charm.
Also, oatmeal baths work well for itching!!

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

lots of cold showers. honestly, i have used neosporin before. you don't know if there is some kind of yeast infection or anything at this point, especially if it has gone on for awhile. that, covered with powder, cleared it up with me. good luck :( hope the ac gets fixed soon... :(

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Boudreaux's Butt Paste works great for heat rashes.

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