Heat rash on palms: what to know

Palms can stay warm and damp inside gloves, during exercise, in humid weather or while doing work that repeatedly occludes the hands. Blocked ducts can release sweat into nearby skin, producing a prickly feeling, small clear or red bumps, and sometimes mild redness. A rash on the palms is not automatically heat rash: contact irritation, eczema, infection and other causes can look similar. Notice whether both hands are involved, whether the skin is cracked, and whether the change started after heat or sweating.

The related condition page on [Heat Rash](/conditions/heat-rash/) gives broader background. [Skin Bumps](/symptoms/skin-bumps/) and [Skin Redness](/symptoms/skin-redness/) describe symptoms that may accompany this pattern.

Move into a cooler setting and rinse the hands with cool, clean water, then pat them dry. Remove tight or non-breathable gloves when safe, take breaks from activities that trap moisture, and avoid scratching. Keep cleansers gentle and pause fragranced products if they sting. A light, fragrance-free moisturizer may support irritated or dry skin; see [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) for more on moisturising treatment. Do not apply a steroid cream to the palms without checking the diagnosis and product instructions; [Topical Corticosteroids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-corticosteroids/) explains their clinical use.

Arrange medical assessment if the rash is spreading, becoming painful, blistered, swollen or associated with pus, fever, or marked warmth. Seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness, or a rapidly worsening widespread rash. A clinician can examine the palms when cooling and drying have not helped, when the cause is uncertain, or when repeated episodes interfere with work or sleep.

Could this be heat rash, hand eczema, contact irritation or an infection? What should I use if the skin is cracked? Should I change my gloves, soap or workplace routine? Is a topical corticosteroid appropriate for this exact area, and how should I use it?