Baby Heat Rash in Pakistan | 5 Causes & 7 At-Home Treatments
Dr. Abdullah Bin Samak
25th May, 2025
⏱︎ 6 min read
So, you probably notice those tiny red bumps on your baby’s skin, especially during hot, sweaty months.
These are most likely heat rashes. You can also call them “Miliaria”.
It usually affects babies between 2 weeks and 12 months old, especially in hotter environments (obviously)
While they might look scary, most baby heat rash treatments are actually simple and can be done at home.
And this is exactly what you'll learn in his blog.
More specifically...
On This Page, You'll Learn
Types of Heat Rashes That Can Affect Your Child
Knowing the type can help you decide the right treatment for your baby’s heat rash:
1. Miliaria Crystallina
- Tiny, clear blisters on the surface of the skin.
- Doesn’t itch or hurt. Most harmless type.
2. Miliaria Rubra (Prickly Heat)
- Red, inflamed bumps that can cause itching and discomfort.
- Most common during hot weather in Lahore.
3. Miliaria Profunda
- Flesh-colored bumps deeper in the skin. Rare, but painful.
- Usually seen in babies with repeated heat rashes.
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What Causes Heat Rashes in Babies?
Here are 5 real causes of heat rashes in babies (That most Pakistani parents overlook):
1. Using Thick Lotions in Summer
Creams meant for winters can clog pores during summer, making heat rash worse.
2. Carrying the Baby Too Long
When your and your baby’s body heat would clash with a tight hold…
Wouldn’t that create a perfect sweating zone? It does. And that’s one of the main causes of heat rashes.
Now, we’re not saying that “stop holding your baby”.
The problem isn’t with ‘holding’, it’s with cuddling.
Try to make sure you don’t cuddle your baby as much as you do in winters.
And most importantly, make sure you’re cuddling only in an air conditioned room. Your little one is more sensitive to heat than you are.
3. Diaper Area Not Getting Air
Tight diapers with no air are what causes more sweat, which leads to rashes.
4. Car Seats and Prams Without Airflow
Babies in padded prams or car seats for too long? Sweat stays locked in.
5. Lack of Bathing on Very Hot Days
Some parents avoid bathing their baby daily. But missing baths can leave behind sweat, dust, and oil, clogging pores.
7 Treatments for Heat Rashes in Babies (Home Remedies That Work)
Here are 7 unique and pediatrician-approved ‘baby heat rash’ treatments:
1. Cool Spoon Compress
- How:
Place a few metal spoons in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. Once cool (not freezing), gently press the back of the spoon on the rash areas for 10 seconds at a time. - Why it works:
Cold metal helps soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and temporarily close the sweat ducts. It’s also safer than ice packs, which can be too harsh for a baby’s skin.
2. Aloe Vera (From the Plant, Not the Tube)
- How:
Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf. Scoop out the clear gel and chill it in the fridge for 5 minutes. Apply a thin layer on the rash-affected skin 2–3 times a day. - Why it works:
Aloe cools the skin naturally, reduces itching, and contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Unlike some lotions, it won’t clog pores.
3. Neem Water Wipe-Down
- How:
Boil 7–8 neem leaves in water. Let it cool completely. Use a soft cotton cloth soaked in this water to gently clean rash-prone areas once or twice daily. - Why it works:
Neem is known for its antibacterial and cooling properties. It helps control sweat rash and prevents infection in heat rash-prone areas.
4. Cornstarch Dusting (Not Talcum Powder)
- How:
After a bath and pat-drying the baby, lightly dust cornstarch on areas like neck folds, underarms, and thighs. Avoid the diaper area. - Why it works:
Cornstarch absorbs moisture without blocking pores like talcum powder. It reduces friction and keeps skin dry.
5. Clothing-Free Time in a Cold Room
- How:
Let your baby lie down on a clean cotton sheet in a well-ventilated room with just a diaper or no clothing for 15–20 minutes, twice a day. - Why it works:
Skin needs to breathe. This reduces constant contact with fabric, which often traps sweat and worsens prickly heat rashes in babies.
6. Oatmeal Water Dab
- How:
Soak 2 tbsp of oats in warm water for 20 minutes. Strain and use the water to dab gently on the baby’s rash using a soft cloth. Don’t rinse. - Why it works:
Oatmeal contains anti-itch and skin-soothing properties. It reduces irritation and speeds up healing.
7. Fan + Cotton Sheet Combo Nap
- How:
Let your baby nap on a clean cotton bedsheet with the fan on medium speed. Make sure the room is well-ventilated but not too cold. - Why it works:
This method keeps the baby dry without overcooling. A cotton sheet prevents heat buildup under the body — a hidden cause of rashes.
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Medicine for Severe Cases:
If the rash becomes severe—itchy, infected, or spreading fast—it’s time to consider medicated treatment.
Doctors may recommend a mild hydrocortisone cream (0.5% or 1%), such as:
- Cutivate
- DermAid
- Cortizone-10 (low strength)
Important: Always consult your pediatrician before using any steroid cream on a baby. Overuse can damage a baby’s skin.
Final Thoughts on Baby Heat Rash
Heat rash in babies is quite common especially in Pakistan’s summer. But, in most cases, they’re harmless and can be treated easily at home using these methods:
1. Cool Spoon Compress
2. Use Aloe Vera (From the Plant, Not the Tube)
3. Neem Water Wipe-Down
4. Cornstarch Dusting (Not Talcum Powder)
5. Clothing-Free Time in a Cool Room
6. Oatmeal Water Dab
7. Fan + Cotton Sheet Combo Nap
However,
If these treatments do not work…
Or if the rash is spreading rapidly and your child seems really uncomfortable…
Then, it’s time to see the doctor. (Don’t wait because it can lead to serious skin infections)
✓ Medically reviewed by:
MBBS, RMP, FCPS, PMDC
Written by:
Dr. Abdullah Bin Samak
Medically reviewed by:
MBBS, FCPS, PMDC, RMP
Written by:
Dr. Abdullah Bin Samak
Hold on!
This is IMPORTANT (For your child)
Has your child’s rash lasted more than 3 days?
Is your child unusually uncomfortable or irritable?
Then, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it’s time to see a doctor ASAP… because these can be symptoms of serious skin infections.
So, here’s what we recommend: