Prickly heat

[accidentalrunner]

So I have encouraged one of my friends to start C25K 🎉 but she is suffering from prikly heat (?) where she develops a hot itchy rash on random parts of her body (not chafing related).

Does anyone know what this is/how to deal with it? It only happens when she runs!

Thank you!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I had that during the heatwave in the summer and it was a bu**er. A cool shower as soon as possible helps and then I put whatever cream I could find afterwards - Sudacream, Eurax, Eucerin, any of them calmed the itch.

I guess calamine lotion would work best but I don't like the feel of it and so didn't use it but your friend might be ok with it. The rash disappears when the temperature gets cooler but the heated seats in the car brings me in a rash after a sweaty run so for me it's a year around thing ☹️

Well done btw for bringing another to the fold 🙂

[accidentalrunner Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks, I'll suggest these might help

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I get terrible prickly heat with certain body moisturisers. Some of them build a barrier layer and don't allow the body to sweat properly and then it creates an irritation . I never use a body moisturiser before a run. I am Sure there might be other irritants that might do the same thing.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I can't answer your query, but just want to congratulate you on your evangelising.

How's the leg?

[accidentalrunner Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! Apparently I was inspiring in my running gear! Leg is a bit better today with painkillers and going to take another rest day tomorrow... walking up and down stairs at work all day should be a good test!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to accidentalrunner]

Yes, better an extra day than rushing back.

You are a real runner now................it is a damned nuisance though, isn't it?

[accidentalrunner Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I suppose I am! It is, I've never been sporty enough to actually get hurt and I'm not sure I like it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Salt baths .... Well done for enrolling your friend anyway...

[Feelingfab]

I suffer with prickly heat when abroad in the heat and antihistamines do the job. However, I'm not medical and I only take them for a short period of time when I'm on holiday so maybe seek professional advice before.

[AngeScott Graduate]

Hi accidentalrunner. Your friend might have physical urticaria, which displays as a hot itchy rash anywhere on the body. Might be worth her looking it up and talking to her gp. Well done for encouraging her to run - best feeling every when someone says I'm doing it because of you.

[Shegirl1]

Your friend has my sympathy! I have had this for the first time in my life this summer and it's really unpleasant. I have tried an array of creams & antihistamines (which I have never had to use before) . The best thing I found was an ice pack on my chest (where I had my prickly heat) for a week and anthisam cream applied regularly. A cold blast of water in the shower also took some of the heat away. This has managed to get rid of it.