Miliaria, also called "sweat rash",[1] is a skin disease marked by small and itchy rashes due to

sweat trapped under the skin by clogged sweat gland ducts. Miliaria is a common ailment in hot
and humid conditions, such as in the tropics and during the summer season. Although it affects
people of all ages, it is especially common in children and infants due to their underdeveloped
sweat glands.

Contents

 1Signs and symptoms

 2Types
o 2.1Miliaria crystalline
o 2.2Miliaria rubra
o 2.3Miliaria profunda
o 2.4Miliaria pustulosa
o 2.5Postmiliarial hypohidrosis
o 2.6Tropical anhidrotic asthenia
o 2.7Occlusion miliaria
o 2.8Colloid milium
 3Pathophysiology
 4Prevention
 5Treatment
 6See also
 7References
 8External links

Signs and symptoms[edit]

Symptoms of miliaria include small red rashes, called papules, which are irritated and itchy.
These may simultaneously occur at a number of areas on a sufferer's body, the most common
including the upper chest, neck, elbow creases, under the breasts and under the
scrotum.[2] Other areas include skin folds, areas of the body that may rub against clothing, such
as the back, chest, and stomach, etc. A related and sometimes simultaneous condition
is folliculitis, where hair follicles become plugged with foreign matter, resulting in inflammation.
The symptoms relating to miliaria should not be confused with shingles as they can be very
similar. Shingles will restrict itself to one side of the body but also has a rash-like appearance. It
is also accompanied by a prickling sensation and pain throughout the region. Those who
suspect they have shingles and not miliaria should seek medical advice immediately as the
sooner antivirals are taken, the better.

Types[edit]
Miliaria can be classified according to the top level at which obstruction occurs in the sweat
glands.
Miliaria crystalline[edit]
The most superficial obstruction (with the most mild clinical presentation), is known as miliaria
crystalline; instead of a rash, the patient presents with multiple tiny blister-like lesions that look
like beads of perspiration and essentially cause no symptoms.[3]:23[4] Miliaria crystalline is also
known as "Miliaria crystallina,"[5] and "Sudamina". The superficial vesiclesare not associated with
an inflammatory reaction.[3] :23
Miliaria rubra[edit]
The most commonly encountered form of the illness is miliaria rubra, in which obstruction
causes leakage of sweat into the deeper layers of the epidermis, provoking a local inflammatory
reaction and giving rise to the typical appearance of redness (hence rubra) and larger (but still
only a few millimetres), blister-like lesions. This form of the illness is often accompanied by the
typical symptoms—intense itching or "pins and needles" with a lack of sweating (anhidrosis) to
affected areas.[3]:23 There is a small risk of heat exhaustion due to inability to sweat if the rash
affects a large proportion of the body's surface area or the sufferer continues to engage in heat-
producing activity. Miliaria rubra is also known as prickly heat and heat rash.[5] Differential
diagnosis should be used to rule out polycythemia vera, which is a rare hematological disorder
and appears more often in males than females, generally not before the age of 40. Both
disorders share the common denominator of appearing after taking a hot shower.[citation needed]
Miliaria profunda[edit]
The most severe form of miliaria, miliaria profunda, sometimes referred to as "wildfire" due to
the rapid spread and severe burning sensations, generally occurs as a complication of repeated
episodes of miliaria rubra. The obstruction is located deep in the structure of the sweat gland,
causing the gland's secretions to leak between the superficial and deep layers of the skin. The
rash, and associated symptoms, tend to appear within hours of an activity provoking sweating
but similarly fade within hours when the stimulus for the sweating is removed. Miliaria profunda
is characterised by non-pruritic, flesh-coloured, deep-seated, whitish papules.[3]:24 The rash
tends to be flesh-coloured as opposed to the prominent redness of miliaria rubra, and the risk of
heat exhaustion is larger. Miliaria profunda is also less-commonly known as "Mammillaria"[5]:chapter
40 [6]

Miliaria pustulosa[edit]
Miliaria pustulosa describes pustules due to inflammation and bacterial infection.[7] Miliaria
pustulosa is preceded by another dermatitis that has produced injury, destruction, or blocking of
the sweat duct.[3]:23
Postmiliarial hypohidrosis[edit]
Postmiliarial hypohidrosis is a skin condition that results from occlusion of sweat ducts and
pores, and may be severe enough to impair an individual's ability to perform sustained work in a
hot environment.[3]:24
Tropical anhidrotic asthenia[edit]
Tropical anhidrotic asthenia is a skin condition, a rare form of miliaria, with long-lasting poral
occlusion, which produces anhidrosis and heat retention.[3]:24[5]
Occlusion miliaria[edit]
Occlusion miliaria is a skin condition that is accompanied by anhidrosis and increased heat-
stress susceptibility, all after the application of extensive polyethylene film occlusion for 48
hours or longer.[3]:24
Colloid milium[edit]
Colloid milium is a skin condition characterized by a translucent, flesh-colored, or slightly yellow
1- to 5-mm papule.[3]:31

Pathophysiology[edit]
Miliaria occurs when the sweat gland ducts get clogged due to dead skin cells or bacteria such
as Staphylococcus epidermidis,[8] a common bacterium that occurs on the skin which is also
associated with acne.
The trapped sweat leads to irritation (prickling), itching and to a rash of very small blisters,
usually in a localized area of the skin.

Prevention[edit]
Prickly heat can be prevented by avoiding activities that induce sweating, using air conditioning
to cool the environment,[9] wearing light clothing and in general, avoiding hot and humid weather.
Frequent cool showers or cool baths with mild soap can help to prevent heat rash.

Treatment[edit]
The primary remedy for prickly heat or rash is to wear lighter clothing, or otherwise avoid
overheating one's body. The immediate treatment of the involved skin areas involves the use of
a soothing ointment such as calamine lotion. Talcum powder may be used in some cases.
Medical assistance should be sought for the first episode of a rash with the appearance of
miliaria. The differential diagnosis includes several conditions that an experienced practitioner
should be able to recognise and may require treatment distinct from the usual measures taken
for miliaria. In most cases, the rash of miliaria will resolve without intervention. However, severe
cases can last for weeks and cause significant disability. General measures should be
recommended for all patients, including moving to an air-conditioned environment if possible,
avoiding sweat-provoking activities and occlusive clothing, and taking frequent cool showers.
It has been suggested that the use of topical antibacterials (including antibacterial soaps) may
shorten the duration of symptoms in miliaria rubra even in the absence of obvious
superinfection. Other topical agents that may reduce the severity of symptoms include anti-itch
preparations such as calamine or menthol- or camphor-based preparations, and topical steroid
creams. However, caution should be used with oil-based preparations (ointments and oily
creams as opposed to water-based or aqueous lotions) that may increase blockage to the sweat
glands and prolong the duration of illness. Other agents have been investigated including
supplemental vitamin A and C and vitamin A based medications, but it is worth noting that there
is little scientific evidence supporting any of the above treatments in reducing the duration of
symptoms or frequency of complications.
In most tropical areas the local dispensaries sell prickly heat powder, a talc admixture
containing drying milk proteins (Labilin) and Triclosan to fight the infection. These include
cooling menthol to help alleviate difficulty getting to sleep. This is an effective treatment—the
powder stays on the skin longer and treats bacteria dispersed into bed linens, providing a
reasonably dry refuge area for healing. Miliaria often covers large areas, and generous use of
Cortisone may be contraindicated for reasons stated on package warnings. Regular talcum
powder will not reduce the rash but can alleviate burning and itching.
In cases where the rash has developed into open blisters or pustular lesions a doctor should be
consulted since more aggressive, medically monitored treatment may be required.