Heat Rash?

jenniator

Hey everyone,

I've been exercising for over a year and going to the gym for 6 months. I've never had any problems before. But for the last 2 weeks I've been developing a rash/red dots all over my face. It hurts a lot and it looks terrible. I think it might be heat rash. I'm wondering if it's caused by the sweat during my workout since I do sweat a lot. I do use a towel to wipe the sweat away every few minutes. But it's strange since I've never had this problem before even though I sweat a lot. So I was wondering if anyone knows what it can be, how I can make it better, and how to prevent it.

angelexperiment

Maybe you have hives? From stress? Calamine lotion. Go to the dr tho. Make sure you are not using any new skin care items to cause it. Washwith things like cetaphil for sensitive skin without dyes perfumes etc or plain gglycerin soap.

jenniator

angelexperiment wrote: »

Maybe you have hives? From stress? Calamine lotion. Go to the dr tho. Make sure you are not using any new skin care items to cause it. Washwith things like cetaphil for sensitive skin without dyes perfumes etc or plain gglycerin soap.

I don't think it's hives and I haven't been under any stress really. I also haven't changed any shampoo's or used any new skin products, so it's strange.

RobynLB83

Heat rash is all over your body. It looks like little water blisters. And it goes away with a cold shower.

jenniator

RobynLB83 wrote: »

Heat rash is all over your body. It looks like little water blisters. And it goes away with a cold shower.

If it's not heat rash, I wonder what it can be It really is annoying since I'm not sure what to do. I really wish more people would answer and give me their advice.

zyxst

How often do you change your face-wiping towel? My "mom" advice is to wear a head sweat band, use a softer towel, and/or don't wipe your face so often.

Some people don't get heat rash all over. I've had it under my stomach and only there.

DvlDwnInGA

How I would handle this situation.

1. Talk to the Dr.
2. If I am to broke to go to said Dr. Google it and see what WebMD thinks
3. Still find nothing, go to your local pharmacy and ask a pharmacists if they know anything that would help.

Way down the list would be asking for medical advice from total strangers on the internet.

Good luck op, I imagine it could possibly be an irritation that your rag is causing, but I am no Dr., nor do I play one on the internet.

jenniator

zyxst, I change the gym towel every day since it is literally dripping with sweat after my work out. The towel I use is soft, but it's hard not to wipe my face often since every 20-30 seconds I have sweat dripping down. I like the idea of using a hand band! I actually used one today, but still wiped my face with the tower and so far no rash, bumps, or irritation which is great So I don't think the towel is necessary causing it, but maybe the amount of sweat and possibly even the friction of the towel rubbing the sweat on my skin maybe?

DvlDwnInGA, Unfortunately my doctor is on vacation for 2 weeks, so I'm not able to talk too him. I figured getting advice from a fitness and exercise board couldn't hurt. Especially since believe it or not, but there could be other people that went through the same problem and know what to do But I do think it might be the rag rubbing against the skin with the sweat.

mbaker566

it sounds like a staph infection to me.
if it's superficial, an antibacterial face wash might help, but you might want to check with our doctor

common gym infections

gaelicstorm26

It's hard to pinpoint, it could be a staph infection or yeast, or it could just be from wiping frequently which could irritate sensitive skin even if the towel is soft.

A face wash with tea tree oil in it can help. They don't always smell the best, but they work. Another thing that I personally do to combat this is to use my own facial moisturizer (2/3 jojoba oil, 1/3 rose hip oil and a few drops of lavender oil) to keep the balance of oils in/on my skin under control (only use this on a clean face).

It seems that whatever it is has gotten under control. If it comes back, can you call the nurse's line at the doctor's office? Surely your doctor has some plan of what his/her patients will do in the the event they need care and he/she is out on vacation.

cafeaulait7

If it goes away within a day or so, it's not like what I've caught at the gym (a Phys Ther gym, no less), lol.

But I do get a rash like that when I'm sweaty in the heat, on my face and neck, and I don't know what it is. But Gold Bond powder prevents it, and washing as soon as possible keeps it to a minimum, too. I've always called it heat rash, but that's just my term for it. The powder is obvious on, unfortunately, but I still do it when I mow.

If you don't have sunscreen or makeup to worry about, I'd use wet wipes to wipe off the sweat often. Getting the sweat truly off is key with mine, anyway. Good luck!

jenniator

Thanks guys I really appreciate the advice!

middlehaitch

Here is a link for it. I have had it when in very hot climates, it goes away quite fast.

http://www.m.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/prickly-heat-rash

Cheers, h.