The W.O. Frohring Family Resource Center

Part of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, this center has a resource library with information on parenting, breastfeeding, sibling relationships and much more. Materials may be borrowed for a limited time within the hospital, and copying services are available.

Patients who have recently given birth at MacDonald Women’s Hospital find the library to be an excellent source on topics relating to newborns and their parents. The Frohring Family Resource Center supports a caring and effective partnership between families and their healthcare team by providing general assistance on baby care and health-related issues. You can learn more about the Center on the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital website. Community residents are also welcome to visit or call the center for information.

Health Encyclopedia

Babies and heat rashes

Heat rash
Heat rash
Infant heat rash
Infant heat rash

Definition

  

Heat rash occurs in babies when the pores of the sweat glands become blocked. This generally happens when the weather is hot or humid. As the infant sweats, little red bumps and possibly tiny blisters, form because the blocked glands cannot clear the sweat.


Alternative Names

  
Heat rashes and babies; Prickly heat rash; Red miliaria

Information

  

To avoid heat rash, keep your baby cool and dry during warm weather.

Some helpful suggestions:

  • During the hot season dress your baby in light-weight, soft, cotton clothing. Cotton is very absorbent and keeps moisture away from the baby's skin.
  • If air conditioning is not available a fan may help evaporate moisture and cool the infant. Place the fan far enough away that there is only a gentle breeze drifting over the infant.
  • Avoid the use of powders, creams, and ointments. Baby powders don't improve or prevent heat rash. Creams and ointments tend to keep the skin warmer and block the pores.

For details see: Rash, child under 2 years


 
Review Date: 10/23/2007
Reviewd By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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