Heat rash and pregnancy: what should you know?

Hormonal and physical changes may make you feel warmer, sweat more, or develop friction where skin touches skin or clothing. Heat rash commonly appears as tiny itchy or prickling bumps on the neck, upper chest, back, under the breasts, or in folds. A new widespread rash in pregnancy is not automatically heat rash: [Skin Rash](/symptoms/skin-rash/) and [Skin Redness](/symptoms/skin-redness/) describe patterns that may need another assessment.

Choose loose, breathable clothing, keep folds dry, take cool showers, and use a clean cool compress for short periods. Change out of damp clothes and avoid perfumed products or thick occlusive layers. Check with your maternity clinician, doctor, or pharmacist before starting a medicine or steroid cream; suitability can depend on the product, body site, and pregnancy stage. [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) may be discussed when dryness is part of the irritation.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial or tongue swelling, faintness, severe illness, or a rapidly spreading eruption. Contact your maternity team promptly if the rash is intensely itchy, affects the palms or soles, comes with fever, blisters, pain, pus, or reduced wellbeing, or does not improve with cooling. A clinician can check whether the bumps fit [Heat Rash](/conditions/heat-rash/).

Ask which cleanser, moisturiser, antihistamine, or anti-inflammatory treatment is suitable in your situation, where it can be applied, and when to stop. If [Topical Corticosteroids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-corticosteroids/) are suggested, ask about strength, duration, and the sensitive areas to avoid.