Q: I suffer from an itchy rash on the backs of my arms as soon as the weather gets warm. It isn’t sunburn and it even happens if I wear a long-sleeved shirt and stay out of the sun. Do you know what this is?
A: I believe that you are suffering from a common skin rash known as prickly heat or miliaria. It is itchy and red, and looks a bit like measles. The skin becomes inflamed and may blister.
It is not contagious or infectious because it is not caused by any form of infection. It is the result of sweat glands in the skin becoming blocked. You are more likely to get this problem if you are overweight and prone to sweating profusely. The rash mainly occurs in areas of the body that are subject to friction from clothes, such as under the arms and on the chest. Hands and feet can also be affected.
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Children and infants are more likely to get prickly heat than adults because of their underdeveloped sweat glands. In babies, the rash is commonly found in the diaper region, on the neck or in skin folds.
Generally, the rash will disappear without treatment in a day or two, but the itching can be annoying. You may want to use a soothing calamine lotion or antihistamine cream. Soap bars made with oatmeal such as Aveeno are also helpful for relieving skin irritation.
Elderly falls
Researchers at the Los Angeles School of Medicine believe that some falls in the elderly may be due to ear conditions. They studied a group of men and women over the age of 55 who had suffered from sudden falls and recurrent dizziness.
These people all described a feeling of being forcibly pushed during one of their attacks. They did not lose consciousness, and had no lasting neurological symptoms such as paralysis or numbness.
Researchers ruled out other causes of falling such as mini-strokes and heart conditions, but found that all of these individuals had either Menieres disease – an inner ear disorder characterized by deafness, dizziness and ringing in the ears – or a similar condition known as endolymphatic hydrops. Salt and water retention are thought to worsen these conditions, so the researchers recommended a low salt diet.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
