Eczema and heat rash are two conditions that can cause similar characteristics on the skin. Both these conditions can trigger skin rashes. However, eczema is mainly due to genetic and environmental factors, while heat rash is often a result of blocked sweat ducts from excessive seating and exposure to heat.
The key difference between eczema and heat rash is their cause. Eczema is caused by overreactive immune system, genes, environmental factors and emotional triggers while heat rash is caused by blocked sweat ducts and trapped sweat beneath the skin due to heat.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Eczema
3. What is Heat Rash
4. Similarities – Eczema and Heat Rash
5. Eczema vs Heat Rash in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Eczema vs Heat Rash
7. FAQ – Eczema and Heat Rash
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes dry, itchy patches on the skin. It is caused by the immune system over-reacting to allergens, genes, environment and emotional triggers (stress and anxiety). The symptoms of eczema include dry skin, itchy skin, skin rash, bumps on the skin, thick, leathery patches of skin, flaky, scaly or crusty skin and swelling.
Figure 01: Eczema
The diagnosis of eczema is done by physical examinations, allergen tests, blood tests, and skin biopsies. Treatment options for eczema include using gentle, sensitive moisturizers, topical steroids, anti-inflammatory medicines, antihistamines or corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs, light therapy, and avoiding the triggers.
What is Heat Rash?
Heat rash is a skin condition that causes itchy, red spots or clear blisters on the skin. It happens when the sweat glands become blocked due to hot weather. Heat rash is common in babies and people who are adjusting to warmer conditions. The symptoms of heat rash may include tiny red spots, clear blisters or lumps, irritation, prickling sensation, and red skin.
Figure 02: Heat Rash
Heat rash can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for heat rash are self-care, using topical preparations (calamine, menthol, and camphor-based creams or ointments), steroids creams, and antibacterial products.
Similarities Between Eczema and Heat Rash
- Eczema and heat rash both result in red, itchy skin rashes.
- Both these conditions include environmental triggers.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and biopsy.
- They are treated by applying topical preparations.
Difference Between Eczema and Heat Rash
Definition
- Eczema is a condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.
- Heat rash is a condition that causes small clear, fluid filled, white, or red bumps on the skin.
Causes
- Causes of eczema are an overactive immune system, genes, environment, and emotional triggers.
- The main cause of heat rash is blocked sweat glands.
Symptoms
- Symptoms are dry cracked skin, itchiness, rash on the swollen skin, small raised bumps on brown or black skin, oozing, thickened skin, darkening of the skin around the eyes, raw, sensitive skin from scratching.
- Symptoms are clear, red bumps, prickly sensation, itching, swelling or skin puff up around rash, mild pain and light burning sensation.
Diagnosis
- Eczema can be diagnosed by physical examination, allergen test, blood test and skin biopsy.
- Physical examination and skin biopsy are the diagnosis methods of heat rash.
Treatment
- Treatments are emollients, topical corticosteroids, topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus, antihistamines, wearing bandages or body suits to heat faster, and light therapy.
- Self-care, applying calamine lotion, antihistamine tablets, and hydrocortisone creams are the treatment options for this condition.
The following table summarizes the difference between eczema and heat rash.
Summary – Eczema vs Heat Rash
Eczema and heat rash are two skin conditions that cause similar skin rashes. Eczema is a condition triggered by allergens like foods, lotions, or even stress, while heat rash is caused by blocked sweat glands. Furthermore, eczema causes dry, scaly skin, while heat rash causes itchy, painful rash. This is the summary of the difference between eczema and heat rash.
FAQ: Eczema and Heat Rash
1. What are the main triggers of eczema?
- Dry weather, fabrics or clothing material, makeup or skin care products, smoke, pollutants, soaps, detergents, stress, anxiety, emotional well-being, and touching things people are allergic to are the main triggers of eczema.
2. What foods cause eczema?
- There is a wide range of foods that might trigger or worsen eczema. These food items include cow’s milk, hen’s egg, wheat, and peanuts. Avoiding these food items may help with eczema.
3. Is there a permanent cure for eczema?
- There is no permanent cure for eczema. However, symptoms can be relieved by using soap-free, oil-free, and unscented hair and body products, topical corticosteroids, topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus, and light therapy.
4. What is the main cause of heat rash?
- Heat rash occurs when a sweat gland duct becomes blocked or inflamed, preventing sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. This blockage leads to trapped sweat beneath the skin, causing irritation and bumps.
5. How long does a heat rash last?
- A heat rash will last two or three days. Keeping the affected area of the skin cool and dry is the best treatment. Other treatments may include self-care, taking antihistamine tablets, and applying hydrocortisone creams.
Reference:
1. “Heat Rash (Prickly Heat, Sweat Rash).” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Eczema Seborrhoicum by Dr Selden I Rainforth” (Public Domain) via Raw Pixel
2. “Heat rash jock itch” By Gerardolagunes – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply