The difference between skin cancer and heat rash

The differences between skin cancer and prickly heat mainly manifest in the following aspects: 1. **Etiology**: The development of skin cancer is associated with prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure, contact with chemical carcinogens, chronic inflammation, and long-untreated skin diseases. In contrast, prickly heat (miliaria) results from excessive sweating in hot and humid environments, leading to blocked and ruptured sweat ducts with subsequent leakage of sweat into surrounding tissues, causing acute skin inflammation. 2. **Clinical Manifestations**: In its early stages, skin cancer may present as erythematous patches or slightly elevated papular lesions accompanied by scaly desquamation or crust formation. As the disease progresses, translucent papular nodules or ulcers may develop. Prickly heat primarily presents as red粟粒-sized papules, commonly occurring in summer and frequently affecting the neck, chest, back, and elbow fossae. Initially, the skin becomes erythematous, followed by the appearance of pinpoint-sized red papules or papulovesicles clustered into patches, accompanied by itching and a burning sensation. 3. **Treatment and Prognosis**: Treatment options for skin cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, with prognosis varying according to disease severity. Prickly heat can usually be relieved by maintaining clean and dry skin and applying cooling and antipruritic medications, with a favorable prognosis.