Prickly Heat

Thank you all for your advice - much appriciated

I take antihistamines every night before bed and that really helps and steroid cream does help with the pain and horrible itch.

I used to get this a lot, when pushing a pram. The itch and pain was unbearable Nothing but steroid cream eased it.

It could be polymorphic light eruption if you still have the rash after a week.
I have this, so I wear sunscreen all year round and stay out of the sun.
Might be worth taking photos and seeing your GP if you can.

I took antihistamines every night and they helped slightly but even now 1 week after returning from abroad still have the rash but not the itching .
I really need to know what to avoid in future as would still like to go abroad even if I can't sunbathe.

I suffer from this - last time about 4 years ago in Sri Lanka and prior to that twice in Turkey.

I find taking antihistamines helps, plus NOT applying too much sun screen as this clogs the pores.

I'm affected in humid climates but not dry heat e.g. I had no problem in Saudi Arabia with 49C and New Mexico with a mere 35C.

I’m another advocate for antihistamines for prickly heat. The over the counter ones are very effective and you can get ‘non-drowsy’ ones so you won’t be nodding off all the time on hols.

Have you tried taking Piriton, I find that takes the itching away?

In some places, you can go to the local doctor or even pharmacy and get an injection which helps immensely. My son and daughter have both had it really bad on different trips to Turkey and the injection cleared it up in no time. Daughter was recommended to use Piz Buin Allergy sunscreen, but that made it 10 times worse!

sometimes it's made worse by british people in hot countries trying to cool down by washing in cool water.
this is a mistake. need to wash in hot water, with soap, and dry well to exfoliate.
the pores can become clogged by not using soap and hot water, which impedes sweating, and can cause rashes.
i was told this by a missionary living in the tropics.