PRICKLY HEAT-HOME REMEDIES
"Prickly heat" is especially seen in people who, unaccustomed to high temperatures, are exposed to extreme heat of the summer and is also seen in those wearing an excess of clothing in the summer. Perspiration is a mechanism that helps regulate the body temperature by cooling the skin as it evaporates; but in this condition the sweat gets trapped under the garment resulting in blockage of the sweat ducts and heating up of the skin.complains of itching, burning, redness and inflammation of the skin in patches with formation of small red vesicular eruptions, about the size of a pin's head with an inflamed base. The areas usually affected are the ones where the sweat usually collects (armpits, chest, back, etc.) or where the skin repeatedly rubs against skin (e.g. inside of breasts, inside of elbows, armpits, buttocks, etc.).
Wear comfortable, loose fitting, cotton clothes and take cool showers or apply wet cold compresses to help decrease the complaint. When the skin is very red and angry-looking put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel and apply it locally every few minutes till some relief is obtained.
HOME REMEDIES
1. Drink a lot of diluted limejuice, coconut water, buttermilk or lassi and water flavored with Khus grass roots. These decrease the overall heat in the body and thus prevent the prickly heat.
2. Almond and grapes (especially dry grapes) are very useful for these patients.
3. Increase your intake of Vitamin C by taking more of citrus fruits, black currents, green peppers, parsley, broccoli etc.
4. Fruit juice should be taken in plenty by these patients.
5. Application of sandalwood paste has a cooling effect and so heals the inflamed skin or dried sandalwood powder and powdered coriander seeds (dhania) is mixed in rosewater and applied over the affected parts.
6. Aloe vera gel is a soothing itch controller.
7. Make an infusion out of chickweed and apply it locally over the patches.
8. Grated coconut is ground well with a teaspoonful of cumin seeds (jeera) and the coconut milk is extracted from it. This milk is applied over the body and after that a cold bath is taken.
9. The soft pulp of palm-fruit (Targola) also has a cooling effect and so is an effective remedy for prickly heat.
10. A paste of seeds of Jambul tree is applied locally.
