Difference Between Rash and Allergic Reaction

The main difference between heat rash and allergic reaction is that heat rash is common during hot weather where sweat production is higher and sweat ducts can be easily clogged whereas an allergic reaction is an immune-mediated reaction a harmless external agent.

rash vs allergic reaction

Both of these skin diseases are not easily diagnosed by common people, as in both situations, the affected area is mostly red and continuously itchy. Heat rash mainly occurs during hot and humid weather when the sweat glands get blocked mainly due to tight clothing or extreme heat in the summer. Babies and obese people are mainly among those affected by heat rash.

Allergic reaction is hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little or no problems in most people. The immune system is activated when the thing or substance it affects is perceived as foreign by the system.

Comparison chart

What is heat rash?

Heat rash is a skin condition when the sweat ducts become clogged mainly due to hot weather. People have a strong opinion that heat rash only occurs in extreme summer though it can even affect the skin in winters if one wears a tight dress or goes on long trips while sitting in stuffy condition. Heat rash is also known as prickly heat and heat rash, infants are mainly affected by this condition while obese and elderly people are the other two who suffer from this skin condition.This primary stage skin condition can be easily treated by wearing loose clothing and applying heat rash cream. The other precaution is to stay out of hot, humid weather until the condition improves.

What is allergic reaction?

Allergic reaction is a skin condition that occurs due to hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little or no problems in most people. The affected person is asked to stay away from the factor to which he is allergic. Steroids, antibiotics, and antihistamines are used for a short period by those affected to return to healthy condition.

In the allergic reaction, the immune system is somewhat overwhelmed and the body misperceives a certain factor recognized as “invading.” For example, eating peanuts does not cause any problems for most people, since a person suffering from this type of allergy will have a skin reaction.

Key differences

1. Heat rash is caused by blocked sweat ducts, while allergic reaction occurs due to hypersensitivity of the immune system to something in the environment that usually causes little or no problem in most people.
2. In heat rash, small itchy red dots appear on the affected skin, while in an allergic reaction the skin itches with pale red spots.
3. Heat rash is not infectious if properly treated in the primary stage, although allergic reactions have led to anaphylactic shock.
4. It takes hours to days and certain factors for the reaction to heat to appear on the skin, while the allergic reaction can appear several minutes after the intervention of the “invader”.
5. Heat rash can be treated with proper hygiene, wearing loose clothing or applying heat rash cream to the affected skin, while in an allergic reaction the sufferer needs to take steroids, antibiotics and antihistamines for a short time.