While heat rash isn't a chronic or serious skin disorder, it can be painful.  The red bumps break out in the folds of the skin including the chest, stomach, neck, crotch, and buttocks, and can affect anyone.  

What is heat rash?  When a person is hot, he or she sweats and the sweat reaches the surface of the skin to allow air to cool it.  In heat rash, those sweat glands are blocked and sweat can't reach the surface of the skin.  This does not mean there is something wrong with the sweat glands, it just means that the glands may be overworked.  

The rash can be bright red with bumps and it can be very painful to the touch.  Depending on where it occurs, certain activities can make it more painful.  At the first sign of heat rash, the skin should be cooled in another way.  With heat rash, the skin is having problems cooling itself, so going into an air-conditioned building should give relief.  Also try applying wet cloths directly to the area.  

While it may be tempting to add lotions and ointments, stay away from this, it could actually aggravate the condition.  Heat rash may be prevented by applying a cornstarch powder to the body prior to any activity in which the body may get hot.  Keep in mind that it is the body's inability to sweat properly or the overworked sweat glands that cause heat rash, so keeping the skin cool to begin with is key to preventing heat rash.  Wear clothing that is cool, such as cotton.  

When the heat is extremely high, try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.  Stay in shady areas, or inside.  If it is necessary to go outside, try to find a cool breezy spot rather then one in the open sun.  Also, make sure the body is well hydrated which means plenty of water and stay away from soda.  

If the body is not used to a hot climate, say for someone going on vacation, the body is more likely to get heat rash then someone who is used to the hot climate.  If you have just moved to a hot climate, have no fear, the body will eventually acclimate itself, but it can take about a month to do so.

A heat rash can be painful and annoying, but by knowing what it is and why it happens, it can be easily prevented.