Heat rashes can be painful and annoying. However, you can use some essential oils for heat rash to give yourself safe and quick healing. [1] [3]
Also known as sweat rash, miliaria, or prickly heat, this skin condition causes small, itchy, red, and heated bumps on the skin. [2]
You can get heat rashes at any age. However, babies and young children are more prone to this disease. It is because of their underdeveloped sweat glands.
Besides, if you live in a hot and humid area, there’s a high chance that you will experience heat rash symptoms.
This article reviews the research-backed uses and efficacy of essential oils for treating heat rash naturally.
Why Use Essential Oils for Heat Rash
Essential oils come from plant extracts in liquid form. These oils are highly concentrated. They have powerful therapeutic properties too.
Essential oils help treat heat rashes in particular. In addition, essential oils have cooling and healing effects on various skin problems, such as acne, bumps, sunburn, eczema, skin rashes, etc.
Some essential oils help you heal heat rashes because:
- They are soothing and calming the irritated skin
- They cool the hot and bothered area
- They relieve itchy skin
- They help your body numb the burning and prickling sensation of heat rashes
- They speed up the healing of heat rashes, rashes
Best Essential Oils for Heat Rash Natural Cure
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, a native of Australia.
Numerous medical research has been carried out to investigate the efficacy of tea tree oil in dermatology.
Research evidence suggests tea tree oil’s potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal effects for various skin disorders. Some of the therapeutic chemical compounds of tea tree oil are terpinene-4-ol and 8-cineole. These natural components are effective against many inflammatory and bacterial skin diseases. [17]
A topical application of tea tree oil may be an effective treatment for heat rash and its symptoms.
How to use tea tree oil for heat rash:
Dilute 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with a suitable carrier oil. Apply and massage the solution gently on the heat rash-affected skin area.
2. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-infectious properties. These components may help you get rid of heat rash. [7]
Chamomile oil comes from the flowers of the beneficial chamomile plant. This plant is very popular as a flowering plant. In addition, people are fond of it its several medicinal properties of chamomile oil.
This oil is sudorific; it can induce profuse perspiration. This process helps to remove toxins and agents which cause infections.
Chamomile oil is excellent for heat rash. It cools down your body and serves as a febrifuge. [8]
This oil has potent antiseptic and antibiotic properties. It does not let biotic infections develop in the body that arises from bacteria and fungi. It also eliminates conditions that are already present in your body.
How to use chamomile essential oil for heat rash?
Apply a few drops of chamomile oil to the affected areas and massage them.
READ MORE: 14 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea (Backed by Science)
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil contains varieties of uses. Among those uses, it is famous for its treatment and shooting properties. So it is no wonder this oil is necessary for many people’s medicine cabinets. [9]
Peppermint essential oil can cool down your body and help the places affected by the heat rash because it has menthol. This is why it reduces inflammation and pain from the heat rash.
Peppermint oil has a cooling and uplifting effect on the body.
An easy way to use peppermint essential oil for heat rash:
It is one of the best oils to cure inflammation, irritation, and pains associated with heat rash. [9]
Apply a small amount to the affected area to eliminate the burning and irritation. You can also mix it with 1 tsp witch hazel for a better effect.
READ MORE: 12 Uses and Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil
4. Lavender Oil
The Latin name of Lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash.”[10] It filters out the toxins from your body.
The lavender essential oil is rich in many health benefits. Those benefits include dropping nervous tension, disinfecting the scalp and skin, and relieving pain. It can also enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems.
Lavender oil is used in many beauty products for its significant effects on the skin. It will rejuvenate the heat rash-affected skin.
Learn how to use lavender oil to heal heat rash:
This herbal oil has a delightful aroma. It also has versatile properties and is gentle enough to apply directly to the skin. Massage lavender oil onto your heat rashes
Put a few drops of lavender oil in hot water. Inhale to take the steam. This aromatic oil can help eliminate the irritations associated with heat rash. It will get rid of the burning sensation on your skin. This beneficial oil boosts immunity for your body and can fight all sorts of diseases [11]
READ MORE: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
5. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is a helpful remedy for skin infections. This oil works on your dry skin and provides moisture to it.
Heat rash causes inflammation and burns your skin. Using this oil will check dry skin conditions and reduce any skin harshness.
To heal heat rashes, you need to treat your damaged skin better and reduce inflammation. Using eucalyptus essential oil will help you achieve that relief. [12]
How to use eucalyptus oil for heat rash:
Apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil to heat the rash
6. Turmeric Essential Oil
Turmeric essential oil can be one of the best remedies to cure your heat rash. This oil has many excellent antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
Turmeric has an anti-inflammatory agent named curcumin. Many types of research have proved the strong ability of turmeric essential oil in treating inflammation of wounds and infected skin. [13]
Many people use turmeric to get rid of a suntan. It is a powerful herb against skin conditions. It also promotes fast healing of the affected skin and provides protection.
Here is a simple method of using turmeric oil:
Use turmeric essential oil on your affected areas of skin. It will reduce the itchiness and roughness of your skin.
7. Spearmint Oil
Spearmint essential oil contains similar minty and refreshing characteristics to peppermint essential oil. Therefore, people often substitute spearmint oil for peppermint in aromatherapy.
Spearmint essential oil can help you find relief from your heat rash. Spearmint has plenty of antioxidants.
According to many studies, the results show that the same substances that work in fighting the bacteria in your body can also neutralize free radicals, which are harmful to your health. [14]
Learn how you may use spearmint oil:
Apply spearmint oil over your heat rash and massage. You can also diffuse spearmint oil in your room and use it as aromatherapy.
READ MORE: 19 Spearmint Tea Benefits for the Health You Should Know
8. Oregano Oil
Oregano essential oil is excellent for many soothing types of inflammation, both internal and external. The oil is extracted from the dried oregano plants’ leaves through steam distillation.
This oil has a strong aroma. It is famous for its potent antioxidants, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. [15]
Oregano oil also improves your immune system. So that you can heal faster, this herbal oil contains phenols which are an antiseptic compound. [16]
It also contains thymol and carvacrol, which are two antifungal properties. These substances are beneficial in treating skin infections.
Here is a simple method of using oregano oil:
You have to put three drops of oregano oil to mix it with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Then, tap it on your heat rash 2/3 times daily for a week.
Causes of Heat Rash
Heat rash occurs when your skin’s sweat glands get blocked. And your sweat cannot get to the surface of your skin to evaporate.
Some of your sweat ducts clog. Instead of evaporating, the sweat gets trapped beneath your skin. This causes inflammation and rash.[1]
Why the sweat ducts become blocked isn’t always straightforward. But certain factors seem to play a role in causing a heat rash. These include:[3]
- Overheating. Overheating causes heat rash. Overdressing or even sleeping under an electric blanket may lead to a heat rash.
- Immature sweat ducts. Infants’ sweat ducts aren’t fully developed. As a result, they trap perspiration beneath their skin and can rupture more easily.
- It prolonged bed rest. Sweat rash can occur in people in bed for an extended period, especially if they have a fever.
- Tropical climates. Hot, humid weather can result in heat rash.
- Physical activity. Intense exercise or any strenuous activity which causes you to sweat may lead to heat rash.
READ MORE: How to Use Aloe Vera for Gastritis, Ulcer, and Stomach Infections
Symptoms of Heat Rash
Heat rash in adults usually appears in skin folds and places clothing that causes friction. [3]
When it comes to babies, the rash is seen on the neck, shoulders, and chest. The symptoms may also appear in the armpits, elbow creases, and groin of adults and children. [6]
Some common symptoms include:
- Itchy red rashes
- Irritation on the skin
- The area feels hot and bothered
- Tiny blisters and bumps on the skin
- Prickling sensation on the affected area
READ MORE: Aloe Vera For Heat Rash: 5 Reasons to Try Now!
Final Note
Heat rashes erupt on the skin when your body’s cooling mechanism breaks down. This causes your skin to develop bumps or blisters, which are itchy, painful, irritating, and give a burning sensation.
Heat rash isn’t a life-threatening disease. But if the inflammation gets somewhat unbearable, you should seek medical help. Professional treatment is necessary only when the heat rash-affected skin becomes infected. If that happens, consult with a doctor as soon as possible.[1]
If the pain isn’t out of hand, using essential oils may work effectively to reduce heat rash.
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