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In miliaria, sweat flow is obstructed and trapped within the skin, causing papular lesions.

Miliaria most often occurs in warm humid weather but may occur in cool weather in an overdressed patient. Lesions vary depending on the depth of tissue at which the sweat duct is obstructed.

• Miliaria crystallina is ductal obstruction in the uppermost epidermis, with retention of sweat subcorneally. It causes clear droplike vesicles that rupture with light pressure.
• Miliaria rubra (prickly heat) is ductal obstruction in the mid-epidermis with retention of sweat in the epidermis and dermis. It causes irritated, pruritic papules (prickling).
• Miliaria pustulosa is similar to miliaria rubra but manifests as pustules rather than papules.
• Miliaria profunda is ductal obstruction at the entrance of the duct into the dermal papillae at the dermo-epidermal junction, with retention of sweat in the dermis. It causes larger, deeper-seated, frequently painful papules.

Diagnosis is by clinical appearance in the context of hot environment.

Treatment is cooling and drying of the involved areas and avoidance of conditions that may induce sweating; an air-conditioned environment is ideal. Once the rash develops, corticosteroid creams or lotions are used, sometimes with a bit of menthol added.

Last full review/revision October 2007 by Daniel W. Collison, MD

Content last modified October 2007