How to treat prickly heat rash that has been scratched and broken open

Jul 14, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I don't know when my body developed some heat rash. Last night while sleeping, it was so itchy that I scratched it for a long time. This morning, I found the skin broken due to scratching. How should I treat a heat rash that has been scratched and broken?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The treatment for heat rash after scratching mainly includes the following: 1. **Cleaning and disinfection**: First, clean the wound with normal saline or clean water to remove dirt and bacteria. Then apply iodophor or hydrogen peroxide for disinfection to prevent infection. 2. **Topical medications**: Based on the condition of the wound, select appropriate topical medications such as erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, or fusidic acid cream. These medications have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that aid wound healing. 3. **Keep the wound dry**: The wound should be kept dry and protected from moisture. Lightly covering it with gauze may help prevent infection. 4. **Oral medications**: If the wound is severely infected or shows symptoms such as purulent discharge, oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin capsules or cefixime capsules may be required under the guidance of a physician. 5. **Avoid scratching**: During treatment, it is important to avoid scratching the wound again to prevent worsening the infection or leaving scars.