Babies aren't the only ones who get heat rashes — so do women who are busy growing babies. Skin changes are par for the pregnancy course,[1] and heat rash is one skin condition that’s very normal — and very common — when you’re pregnant.
Like the name suggests, heat rash tends to appear in people who live in warm, humid climates, but since it’s caused by sweat that becomes trapped between the folds of your skin, pregnant women can be especially prone to it.
What are the symptoms of heat rash during pregnancy?
Heat rash appears as pink or red bug-bite-like bumps on the skin that can itch or feel prickly or sensitive. It can sometimes look like pimples and may even develop whiteheads.[2]
Heat rash is a pregnancy symptom that most commonly appears:
- In the creases between and beneath the breasts
- Where the bulge of the lower abdomen rubs against the top of the pubic area
- On your back
- On the inner thighs
- On the armpits
- In the creases of your elbows
What causes heat rash during pregnancy?
Also known as prickly heat, heat rash tends to crop up during the hot, humid months. It happens when the sweat ducts in your pores become clogged, which traps perspiration beneath your skin.
Heat rash can be triggered by a combination of pregnancy side effects: your already overheated body, dampness from excessive perspiration and the friction of skin rubbing against itself or clothing — as it tends to do when there’s more skin to rub. While it’s not pretty, fortunately prickly heat is usually only slightly irritating.
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It’s important not to confuse heat rash with other pregnancy-related skin conditions, such as:
- Hives, or itchy, raised welt-like bumps that can appear suddenly on the body, usually as an allergic reaction. Hives tend to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
- Prurigo, which often appears as itchy, crusty bumps on your arms or legs, and can happen at any point in pregnancy.
- Pruritic folliculitis, which are pus-filled lesions similar to acne that may appear on your torso and spread to your arms, chest and back. If these bumps appear, they typically show up during the second or third trimester.
- Pemphigoid gestationis, which is a rare autoimmune skin disorder that can suddenly pop up in the second or third trimester, and cause a hive-like rash on your midsection that can turn into blisters.
- Cholestasis of pregnancy, which is an intense itch all over your body, particularly on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and jaundice (the whites of the eyes and skin may be yellow-colored). While it typically shows up during your third trimester, cholestasis is not actually a rash — it’s a sign of liver disease triggered by your hormones, and should be evaluated by a doctor.
- Pustular psoriasis of pregnancy, which is a severe form of pustular psoriasis that appears as red, inflamed, crusty lesions — commonly on the thighs and groin — during the second half of pregnancy.
- Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), which appears as itchy, red, raised skin patches on the stomach, often near stretch marks, and can spread to your limbs. PUPPP typically only develops in your first pregnancy, during the third trimester.
How do I treat heat rash during pregnancy?
Wondering how to beat the heat? There are plenty of pregnancy-safe ways to soothe itchy skin and help heal your heat rash.
- Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and leggings, which can help minimize sweating and friction. And choose your fabrics wisely — synthetic material can worsen sweating, while scratchy ones like wool can cause itching.
- Apply a cool, damp compress to your skin. To take some of the heat out of your heat rash, try soaking a washcloth in cold water or cold green tea and applying it to the affected area for five minutes, three times a day.
- Rinse off. Take warm or tepid (not hot) baths and showers — and don’t linger for too long, use harsh soaps, or make the water too hot. A tepid oatmeal bath can also be very soothing, as oatmeal contains compounds that relieve inflammation.
- Pat on powder. Sprinkle a bit of cornstarch or talc-free powder to absorb sweat during the day.
- Apply calamine lotion. It contains zinc oxide, a natural anti-inflammatory substance that cools as it dries to relieve itching, which can help temporarily soothe your skin.
- Turn on the air conditioning or a fan. This can help you avoid overheating, stay cool and keep sweat at bay.
- Get naked. And stay that way whenever you can. Fresh air is the best antidote to prickly heat.
- Ask your doctor about hydrocortisone cream. Many over-the-counter heat rash remedies contain hydrocortisone, a common anti-itch ingredient. But before you apply the medication, check with your dermatologist or pharmacist to make sure the ingredients are safe to use during pregnancy.
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What remedies don’t work for pregnancy heat rash?
You should steer clear of some treatments and products when you have heat rash during pregnancy, including:
- Skin irritants. Stay away from perfumes, fragranced lotions and harsh soaps.
- Petroleum-based ointments or mineral oil creams. Heavy body creams or oils can worsen heat rash, since they can further block your pores.
When should I see a doctor about heat rash during pregnancy?
Usually, heat rashes are harmless. But there are certain symptoms that may warrant a call to your doctor, including:
If the rash or irritation lasts longer than a couple of days.
If you’re experiencing pain or intense itching.
If the rash becomes infected — for example, it leaks pus or fluid, or is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, fever and nausea.
While it may not be pretty or comfortable, in all likelihood, your heat rash will fade within a few days — and be nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
Heat Rash During Pregnancy FAQs
How do you treat heat rash during pregnancy?
You can treat heat rash during pregnancy by taking a warm, tepid or cool bath, staying in a cool, air-conditioned room, and applying a cool, damp washcloth soaked in cool water or green tea to the area three times a day for about five minutes at a time.
What does heat rash look like?
Heat rash appears as clusters of tiny red, pink or clear bumps on the skin that are often itchy or feel prickly. Heat rash can look like small bug bites or pimples.
How long does heat rash last when you're pregnant?
Heat rash usually disappears on its own, whether you're pregnant or not, and typically won't last more than a few days. If you've had heat rash for longer than three days, call your practitioner.
Does heat rash spread?
No, heat rash isn't contagious and doesn't typically spread, though you can exacerbate the rash by scratching it too much or using lotions, oils, or powders.
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