Question

A mother is concerned about what might have caused a heat rash on her infant. The nurse observes tiny pinhead-sized reddened papules on the infant's neck and axilla. What does the nurse explain as the most likely cause of this rash?

1) Sun exposure
2) Allergic reaction
3) Infection
4) Heat and moisture

Answer 1

The nurse would explain that the heat rash on the infant's neck and axilla, characterized by tiny reddened papules, is most likely caused by heat and moisture due to blocked sweat ducts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely cause of the heat rash, also known as miliaria, observed by the nurse on the infant's neck and axilla with tiny pinhead-sized reddened papules is heat and moisture.

This condition occurs when the sweat ducts are blocked and the sweat produced cannot get to the surface of the skin to evaporate. This trapped sweat leads to irritation (in the form of a rash) and inflammation of the skin.

Heat rashes are common in infants due to their immature sweat glands, which can be easily blocked.

It is important to differentiate this from other potential causes. While overexposure to the sun may lead to sunburn, allergic reactions are generally associated with known allergens and may present differently.

Infections, like those caused by bacteria or viruses, could mimic a rash but normally have additional systemic symptoms or signs of infection.

Therefore, without evidence of these, heat and moisture remain the most probable cause for the infant's symptoms.