Differences Between Infant Prickly Heat and Eczema
Disease description:
Recently, my baby has developed some small bumps on the skin, and I’m unable to tell whether they’re eczema or heat rash. What are the differences between infantile heat rash and eczema?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Infantile prickly heat and eczema are distinct conditions, and can be differentiated in the following ways:
1. Prickly heat in infants is commonly caused by high temperatures, high humidity, excessive clothing, or delayed cleansing of the skin; eczema, however, can occur at any time of year and is not season-dependent.
2. The affected body sites differ: prickly heat typically occurs in areas prone to sweating—such as the neck, axillae, and perianal region—whereas eczema may appear on any part of the body.
3. The lesions of prickly heat are relatively uniform—often presenting as tiny, millet-sized papules—while eczema lesions are more varied, including erythematous plaques, vesicles, and papules.
