Heat rash on a C-section incision: what should you know?

Heat rash usually appears as small red or irritated spots where warmth, sweat and rubbing affect the skin. A healing caesarean incision can sit beneath a skin fold, dressing or tight clothing, making the area damp. Irritation is different from a wound infection, which may cause increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, wound separation or fever. A rash can also be contact irritation from adhesive or a product, so its appearance and timing matter.

Keep the skin gently clean and dry, pat rather than rub, and choose loose breathable clothing. Do not scratch, pick at scabs, apply powders or put creams and antiseptics on the incision unless your maternity team recommends them. Let the team know if the rash is spreading or if you are unsure whether the incision itself is involved. Recovery advice may include [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/) information and [Postnatal Physiotherapy](/treatments/pelvic-floor-and-rehabilitation/postnatal-physiotherapy/).

Contact your maternity unit promptly if redness expands, pain increases, the wound feels hot, fluid or pus appears, the edges open, or you develop fever or chills. Seek urgent help if you feel faint, severely unwell, or have rapidly worsening swelling. A mild itchy rash limited to nearby skin still deserves advice if it does not settle after reducing heat and friction.

Is the incision healing normally? Could this be a dressing reaction or infection? Which cleanser or treatment is safe while breastfeeding?