If a newborn is overheated, which skin lesion is most likely to develop?

Milaria, commonly known as heat rash or prickly heat, is indeed the skin lesion most likely to develop in a newborn if they become overheated. This condition arises when sweat glands become obstructed, leading to the retention of sweat under the skin, which can result in small, itchy red bumps or blisters.

In the context of newborns, especially in situations where they may be swaddled too warmly or in humid environments, miliarial lesions are a response to excessive heat and humidity affecting the delicate skin of the infant. This specific skin condition is very common in neonates due to their immature skin and thermoregulation system.

In comparison, other conditions like erythema toxicum are typically caused by a normal inflammatory response in newborns, while milia are tiny white cysts that occur due to blocked sweat glands and are not directly related to overheating. Neonatal acne results from maternal hormones and is unrelated to heat exposure. Understanding how these conditions arise helps in recognizing that miliarial lesions are directly linked to overheating in infants.