What is Warm to Touch?
When the skin feels warm to the touch, it often means that the body temperature is higher than normal. This can occur because of infection or illness, but it can also be caused by an environmental situation that increases body temperature.
Also, a specific area of the skin may feel warm to the touch due to increased blood flow near the surface. This happens when the body is trying to deal with something like an infection, an irritant, or an insect bite. Here, hot skin can be accompanied by redness or swelling.
It is important to determine what is causing your skin to feel hot so that you can receive the proper treatment. Below, we'll explore the common causes of why the skin may feel hot to the touch, some potential treatments, and when to seek help.
Causes
Contact dermatitis is a condition that develops when the skin is exposed to something that irritates it. This can lead to a rash and skin that feels hot to the touch. Examples of things that can cause contact dermatitis include:
- Cosmetics
- Clothing dye
- Fragrances and perfumes
- Haircare products
- Latex
- Scented soaps
Additional symptoms that can accompany contact dermatitis include itching, swelling, redness, and dry, cracked skin.
Some examples of specific conditions that can make your skin warm to the touch may include, but not limited to:
- Viral infections, such as flu, measles , chickenpox , and infectious mononucleosis
- Bacterial infections, such as cellulitis, strep throat, and urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Infections that can be bacterial or viral, such as gastroenteritis , pneumonia , and meningitis
- Chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthriti and Crohn's disease
- Environmentally related conditions, such as sunburn and heatstroke
- Skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis and reactions to insect bites or stings
- Other health conditions, such as cancer and alcohol withdrawal
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Get A Second OpinionDiagnosis
- Medical Evaluation: Your healthcare provider will examine redness on your skin and discuss your symptoms to identify possible causes.
- Diagnostic Tests: Additional tests like skin samples, biopsies, or allergy tests may be conducted to pinpoint irritants affecting your skin.
- Preventing Spread: Consult your healthcare provider about the contagious nature of your condition and steps to prevent transmission to others.
Treatment
Fever
- If there is fever, it can be treated with fluids, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Anyone under the age of 17 should not use aspirin. Neither of these drugs should be used to treat illnesses caused by ambient heat.
- Besides anti-inflammatories and over-the-counter fluids, additional medications may be needed to treat the underlying cause of the fever. This may involve things such as antibiotics for a bacterial infection or drugs such as rheumatoid arthritis to cure underlying diseases.
Environmental Causes
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water or sports drinks during exercise. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
- Cool Down Overheating: Move to a cool, shady spot, remove outer clothing, and apply cool, damp clothes. Use cold compresses on the groin, neck, and armpits. Offer cold liquids frequently to avoid body heat.
Skin Conditions
- Treating Sunburn: Ease sunburn pain with a cold bath or shower. Apply aloe vera or moisturizer to soothe the skin. Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for swelling and pain relief.
- Managing Insect Bites: Clean the bite with warm, soapy water. Use a cold compress to reduce discomfort and swelling. Over-the-counter antihistamines or anti-inflammatories can help with pain, swelling, or itching. Avoid scratching to prevent worsening symptoms.
- Dealing with Contact Dermatitis: Apply over-the-counter antihistamines or corticosteroid creams to the affected area. For severe cases, consult your doctor for stronger medication. Resist the urge to scratch to prevent aggravating the condition.
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Book an AppointmentWhen to visit a Doctor?
If someone is feeling hot without fever, they should see their doctor. A doctor may need to run tests, such as blood or urine tests, to diagnose underlying causes such as:
- Loses consciousness
- Is confused, lethargic, or listless
- seizure
- Breathes fast or has a fast pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Stiff neck
- Symptoms of heatstroke
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis
- The person is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
- A skin forms carps when pinched and does not return to normal
- A baby younger than 3 months old has a fever of 100.4 ° F (38 ° C) or higher
- Fever is above 102 ° F (39 ° C)
- A skin condition, such as sunburn or dermatitis, affects a large part of your body
Prevention
- It is advisable to choose unscented products if you are prone to allergic reactions.
- When you go outside, protect yourself against ticks by applying insect repellants that contain 20 to 30 percent confidence.
- Taking a shower immediately after entering and checking your body thoroughly for ticks can help protect against Lyme disease.
- If you've been outdoors in an area where ticks are present, tumble drying your clothes for at least an hour after wearing them can kill the remaining ticks on your clothes.
Things to avoid:
- Preventing Skin Irritation: Avoid skincare products and cosmetics with harsh chemicals and known allergens to prevent rashes and hot skin.
- Sensitive Skin Solutions: Opt for products designed for sensitive skin to minimize irritation and discomfort.
- Dietary Considerations: Some skin irritations may be related to dietary factors. Even without allergies, certain additives like milk or gluten can affect susceptibility.
- Avoiding Irritants: Metals like nickel and materials such as latex and harsh cleaning chemicals can trigger contact dermatitis. Steer clear of known irritants to prevent skin reactions.
