Prickly heat is a
skin disorder, technically known as
miliaria (not
malaria). It is caused by blocked
sweat glands and the attendant failure of sweat to exit the skin
in an orderly fashion, and miliaria is characterized by itching, rash, and the appearance of white or red blister-like lesions (containing irritating trapped sweat).
The most effective treatment is to remove the patient to some place where they won't be so sweaty, and wash with a pore-unstuffing sort of preparation like acne pads containing salicylic acid, or triclosan face washes. I favor the latter, as acne pads often also contain drying alcohol. Avoid skin-drying washes (including regular soap) and powders on the afflicted area, as dry skin can itself contribute to the clogging of sweat glands (and pores). Keep clothing loose and steer toward absorbent cottons. Unfortunately, prickly heat tends to afflict the armpits and crotch, so if you have chronic itching and bumps in these areas you may want to experiment with alternative deodorants and powders. For men, give boxer shorts a try; women, those satiny underthings may have to step aside in favor of something that breathes better.
Prickly Heat
Prickly heat
You get under my skin and I gotta worry at you
You get most prickly when I wrap you up too tight
I try to soothe you with potions
I try to numb you with lotions
But they don't make you all right
Prickly heat
You're a burning itch I can't work out from under my skin
Hot and wet, you make me wanna commit a venal sin
Gotta wash away the taint
Before you make me something I ain't
Gonna wash you away and chalk it up to good hygiene
"Prickly Heat" doggerel copyright 2002 Dayton Van Houten, all rights reserved, blah blah blah.