Heat Rash is a Prickly Opponent

     Over the years I've started using more and more home/natural remedies and I thought it would be a good idea to start sharing some of them on the blog.  The remedies I use come from different sources. Some are my own creation using different herbal reference books. Others I get from a great home remedy book that I purchased a few years ago.  Sometimes I follow the recipe in the book exactly but on occasion I will adjust it (add, subject, improvise) based on the ingredients I have, taste and smell preferences. Atreya also has a few natural remedies in her healing arsenal.  She brews a tea using a few herbs and spices that will help put an end to a cold in a day or two and send germs running for their lives. 

The home remedy book I referred to above.

     
     Today I thought I'd post a remedy for something that plagues a lot of people in the hot days of summer. I have annoyingly sensitive skin and have been plagued by various allergic reactions and sensitivities for my entire life.  Growing up and in my early adulthood I used what the doctors told me to; most of which is filled with chemicals and never works as well as the stuff Mother Nature provides.  So what's prickly heat or heat rash?? First of all it's annoying and second of all if you don't know what it is then you're lucky because you've obviously never had it.  Prickly heat or heat rash is: 

"Heat rash (prickly heat) is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing.

 It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. 

Heat rash is most common in babies, but may affect adults in hot, humid climates."

Got Symptoms?? 

"Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on

 the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, 

and, rarely, a secondary skin infection may develop."

     Thank you WebMD.  Babies and small children are the primary targets of prickly heat, usually because they've been dressed too warmly.  "In babies, heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather."

     Although I may act like a small child on occasion, I'm definitely a grown woman that suffers from this annoying skin problem from time to time.  The inside of my arm and my neck (aggravated further by necklaces) are the spots where prickly heat likes to rear its ugly head.  Thanks to my healing remedies book, I found an easy oil blend that instantly helped relieve the itch and irritation and can be used on adults and children.  For this blend you'll need three ingredients:

• Sandalwood oil
• Lavender oil
• Chamomile
• Sweet Almond oil base

In a small glass vile mix 5 drops of Lavender oil with 5 drops of  Sandalwood oil.  Add 2-3 Chamomile buds, then pour in the base oil.  Shake it pretty good.  Once it's mixed well, take a dab and rub it on the affected area.  The annoyance of prickly heat should begin to subside immediately. 

     The recipe in Healing Remedies is slightly different from what I made.  The oil blend they recommend is:

• Sandalwood oil
• Lavender oil
• Calendula oil base

I used sweet almond oil as a base because that's what I had readily available and I added a bit of Chamomile because it helps alleviate rashes, cuts and scrapes.  I've been using this oil for a couple of weeks whenever I feel the pricklies coming on and it's worked wonders.  I apply it in the morning. It starts working as soon as I put it on and it works all day.  If you're in need of a prickly heat remedy, I hope this works for you.  ***

 

Bright Blessings and Good Luck out there in the summer heat, 

~Amethyst~


***I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. Do your research before you apply oils or ointments topically or consume any herbs via potions etc.

Sources:

WebMD.com

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies   by: C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD