Miliaria Rubra Disease

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Miliaria rubra or prickly heat is a papulovesicular eruption

System(s) affected: Skin/Exocrine
Genetics: N/A
Incidence/Prevalence in USA: N/A
Predominant age: Common in infants, less common in adults
Predominant sex: Male = Female

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Fine papules and vesicles on an erythematous base
May become inflamed pustules (miliaria pustulosa)
Prevalent in areas of friction caused by clothing and in areas of flexure
In infants – trunk, diaper area, neck, groin, axilla, face
Pilosebaceous follicles, palms, soles spared
Lesions appear after individual has been in a hot, humid environment, resulting in sweating
Pruritus or prickly, mildly stinging sensation in affected areas

CAUSES

Keratinous plugging of the sweat ducts as a result of toxins produced by resident bacteria
This leads to rupture of the sweat duct producing a sweat retention vesicle

RISK FACTORS

Hot humid environment
Occlusive bandages
Plastic undersheets
High fever

DIAGNOSIS

LABORATORY

N/A

Drugs that may alter lab results: N/A
Disorders that may alter lab results: N/A

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

Keratinous plugging of sweat ducts
Sweat retention vesicle

SPECIAL TESTS

N/A

IMAGING

N/A

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

N/A

TREATMENT

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

Outpatient

GENERAL MEASURES

Avoid wearing heavy, tight clothing or garments causing friction
Avoid plastic or occlusive dressings/garments in hot environments
Avoid excessive use of soap and contact with irritants
Frequent cool baths with Aveeno colloidal, oatmeal, or cornstarch
Provide cool, dry environment for 8-10 hours a day

SURGICAL MEASURES

N/A

ACTIVITY

Avoid vigorous activity leading to sweating

DIET

No special diet

PATIENT EDUCATION

Cause of eruption/avoidance
General measures for home care

FOLLOW UP

PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE

See General measures
Acclimatize slowly to hot weather

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Secondary bacterial infections

EXPECTED COURSE AND PROGNOSIS

Benign - responds to cooling
Avoidance of causative agents is key

MISCELLANEOUS

ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

N/A

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Pediatric: More common
Geriatric:

Less common
Backs of hospitalized patients

Others: N/A

PREGNANCY

N/A

OTHER NOTES

N/A

ABBREVIATIONS

N/A

Clinical Investigations

ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY

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