What is the difference between eczema and prickly heat?

Summer is here, and eczema and prickly heat are becoming more common among people. Some people think that eczema is prickly heat, but is it really so? What is the difference between eczema and prickly heat?

From the cause point of view:

Eczema: There are many causes, most of which are related to allergies. For example, allergies to wool and other animal fur, pollen, and allergies to certain fruits such as mango.

Heat rash: It is caused by blocked sweat pores. The sweat glands of infants and young children are not fully developed, and the skin barrier function of children is not as perfect as that of adults. In addition, they are very active, have poor sweating function, and have weak resistance to bacteria, which can easily cause sweat duct blockage and heat rash.

From the perspective of the onset season:

Eczema can occur in all seasons, but it is more serious in winter. As the temperature changes, the amount of eczema does not change much. However, prickly heat mainly occurs in summer. When the temperature is high, it is easy to get prickly heat. As the weather changes and the temperature gradually decreases, prickly heat will gradually disappear on its own. If your baby develops small bumps in winter, you should consider that it is eczema rather than prickly heat.

From the perspective of the patient population:

Eczema can occur in all genders, young and old. Prickly heat is more common in children, aged 1 to 5 years old, and relatively less common in children under 1 year old.

From the perspective of disease onset:

Eczema is diverse and symmetrically distributed; prickly heat can be divided into four categories: white prickly heat, red prickly heat, purulent prickly heat, and deep prickly heat. They are red papules or papule-like rashes the size of a needle tip, densely packed in patches.

From the characteristics of the disease:

Eczema causes exudation, itching, and is prone to recurrence; prickly heat causes no exudation but a hot, burning pain. As the temperature drops, the symptoms will gradually subside until they disappear.

From the site of disease:

Eczema mainly occurs on the baby's face, chest, and buttocks. The location of prickly heat varies according to the type. White prickly heat often occurs on the forehead, neck, trunk, and intertriginous areas; red prickly heat often occurs on the face and buttocks of children; purulent prickly heat often occurs on the flexor side of the limbs, intertriginous areas, and the head of children; deep prickly heat often occurs on the trunk and limbs.