How to Treat Overheated Skin

From hot weather and exercise to stress and underlying skin conditions, there are many factors which may cause skin to overheat. Skin is a vital organ, and is the first line of defense in the body's immune system. Certain conditions result in inflamed, overheated skin, from too much sun exposure to overactive sweat glands and various dry skin conditions. Depending on the cause of overheated skin, several options are available to help cool the skin and prevent future flare-ups.

Instructions

Skin Conditions

• 1

  Avoid extreme temperature changes and sudden changes in humidity if you suffer from a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis and pityriasis rosea. Dress in loose-fitting clothes made from breathable, natural fibers such as cotton, particularly in the summer. This reduces sweating, irritation, and helps regulate body temperature.

• 2

  Apply cold compresses to inflamed and overheated skin. This should soothe the condition and help cool your skin. To prevent overheating skin during bathing, take a warm rather than a hot bath and gently pat skin dry rather than rubbing it.

• 3

  Limit contact with anything known to irritate the skin, such as certain soaps, detergents, jewelry, cosmetics, cleaning products, pet fur, lotions or foods. Irritants can exacerbate your skin condition, and can cause your skin to overheat more quickly. It is usually also a good idea to wash all new clothes before wearing to remove excess dyes and fabric finishers.

• 4

  Reduce stress whenever possible. Stress is a common cause of skin irritation and overheating. Contact your physician or dermatologist for advice as to the medications and treatments available to reduce skin overheating and to treat your particular skin condition.

Overheated Skin and Heat Rash

• 5

  Exercise and hot weather can contribute to overheated skin. Wear sunscreen when outside to protect the skin against sunburn, as sunburn is one of the main causes of overheated skin even after returning indoors. Carry a bottle of water with you and stay hydrated, which will help your body temperature stay regulated.

• 6

  Apply a cold compress of flannel to overheated skin. The best places to put cool cloths are those areas where there is significant blood flow, such as the head, the armpit, or where the thigh meets the trunk of the body. Compresses in these areas will dissipate body heat more quickly.

• 7

  Take a cool shower to soothe overheated skin and re-balance body temperature. Heat rash, although prickly and itchy, usually disappears following the cooling of the skin. Severe cases of heat rash lasting more than 3 or 4 days may require medical treatment, so be sure to keep an eye on your symptoms.

• 8

  Wear breathable, loose and natural fabrics to prevent skin irritation and heat rash, or to soothe overheated skin from a sunburn. Keep to cool, air-conditioned rooms, and avoid powders and creams which may block pores.