15% off £20
Code:EXTRA
Itching for relief? We’ve got you. From how best to prevent heat rash to products that’ll help relieve the irritation
Our top picks
24-hour hydration for your skin
E45
E45 Itch Relief Cream 100g
18+
£9.99
The iconic antiseptic cream
Sudocrem
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream 125g
£6.79
Relief from mild sunburn
Care
Care Aqueous Calamine Cream 100g
18+
£4.29
Ever stepped out of a workout or on a sweltering summer day only to find your skin burning, itchy or covered in tiny red bumps? You might be dealing with heat rash – a common irritation that happens when sweat gets trapped under the skin.
Although uncomfortable, heat rash (or prickly heat) is nothing much to worry about and usually goes away on its own.1 Nevertheless, there are some easy steps you can take to help ease the itching and relieve your skin.
From cooling tips to soothing solutions like antihistamines and calming creams, we’ve rounded up our favourite products to give you the relief you need.
How to get rid of prickly heat rash
While heat rash typically goes away on its own, you might be able to find some quick relief with the following tips:1
A great way to cool your skin is to apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area.
You could also try having a cold shower or bath, or applying a damp cloth. It’s a good idea to not wear tight or thick clothing until your heat rash has disappeared, too.
Applying a gentle moisturiser to the area may help soothe it. Make sure that you avoid anything which contains chemicals or perfumes as these could irritate your skin further.
In more extreme cases, you might benefit from an over-the-counter calamine lotion from your nearest pharmacy.1
As tempting as it is, you mustn’t scratch your heat rash. If you need some relief from the constant urge to do the exact opposite, try tapping or patting the area gently with the palm of your hand or with your fingers.
How to prevent heat rash
Prevention is key. So to try and minimise your risk of getting heat rash, you could:1
- wear light, breathable clothing when you’re in situations where you might sweat more
- stay in a cool or air-conditioned room as much as possible if you’re somewhere hot and drink plenty to avoid dehydration
- make sure your bedroom is cool and air can flow when you’re going to sleep, lightweight bedding is also recommended for the warmer months
Babies are particularly prone to heat rash as they’re unable to regulate their body temperature in the same way older children or adults can. This makes it particularly important to limit the chances of them getting heat rash with the above tips.1
Looking for relief? We’ve got you
Chances are you’re very familiar with this blue and white logo. E45 has been a household cupboard staple for years – a go-to for soothing skin.
This itch relief cream offers up to 24 hours of hydration and helps itchy, irritated skin to feel calmer and more comfortable.
Simply apply to affected skin two times daily.
This effective allergy-control formula contains cetirizine hydrochloride – an antihistamine medicine that helps the symptoms of allergies like hay fever etc.2 But that’s not all, these one-a-day tablets also provide relief for skin allergies such as rashes, itching and hives.
Adults and children 12+ years: take one tablet daily.
Children six to 12 years: take ½ a tablet twice daily.
Sudocrem de la crème. This iconic grey tub has made an appearance in most homes – and rightly so. Sudocrem helps with everything from sunburn to acne, nappy rash to bedsores…and more.
All you need to do is apply a thin layer to the skin as required.
Suitable for itchy and irritated skin caused by heat rashes, Eurax cream provides quick relief from itching and skin irritation for up to six to 10 hours (after each application).
Adults: Apply to the affected area two to three times daily.
Children: Eurax Cream can be used but for those under three years of age, consult a doctor before use and don’t apply the cream more than once a day.
Oilatum has been specially developed to soothe, soften and rehydrate, but that’s not all, it also helps to relieve dry skin conditions and symptoms like itching.
Suitable for children, adults and the elderly. Apply to the skin as often as needed. This cream is best used after washing.
If you speak to a pharmacist about heat rash, they might recommend calamine cream or lotion as one of the best ways to get rid of heat rash.1
This Care Aqueous calamine cream will help to relieve mild sunburn and other skin irritations that may be causing discomfort. It effectively soothes and calms irritation, restores comfort and helps keep your skin feeling balanced.
When using this cream, apply generously to dry, clean skin as required.
The final say
Finding a little help for skin allergies and irritation that works well for you can be quite the relief – literally!
And if you’re searching for more advice on skin health, read our expert guide to common skin conditions and how to treat them or jump on over to the ultimate guide to SPF: how to protect your skin.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
- NHS. Heat rash (prickly heat) [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2017. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/
- NHS website. About cetirizine [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2025. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/about-cetirizine/
Related Articles
Shop by wellness goal
