Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

DS got his helmet fitted and wore it the first day for 6 hours, like the ortho said. When we took it off, he had a huge rash/welt/burn type thing. ortho said it wasnt fitted properly so we took him back and they shaved it down. it had been 3 days since he last wore it, and his burn was looking much better today (slathering it with aquaphor). He wore the helmet again today, and after 6 hours, DH said he has it again, he called it a small heat rash. There's no AC in their bedroom and he woke up from his nap in a pool of sweat.
I'm so frustrated because I dont think this stupid helmet fits right, compounded with the heat, and he has super sensitive skin.

Is it normal to get a rash in the beginning?

Re: Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

I remember my ortho saying that a rash is common at the beginning, particularly in warmer weather. They suggested buying Caldesene powder and sprinkling that in the helmet to help with it.

If you're not happy with the fit, call again. He's going to have to wear it for a while and you want to make sure it's perfect. Good luck!

Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

My SIL used to slather my nephews head with baby powder. But in the beginning he did get rashes and with the baby powder and proper fit they stopped.

Re: Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

DS wore a helmet. A rash, like heat rash is normal, but red marks that don't disappear quickly are a sign of an ill-fitting helmet.

Definitely use baby powder to help absorb some of the sweat.

Re: Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

So when I came home from work it looked like heat rash. Definitely not what he had from 3 days ago, which is good, but still sad. Hopefully it gets better :(

We are using that caldesene powder and i will tell DH to use it throughout the day too.
Thanks!

Message edited 8/23/2013 9:35:13 PM.

Re: Helmets and rashes- is it normal?

Their little heads get so hot in the helmets ... is there any way at all to have him sleep in a room with air conditioning? Its only another month or so before temps will cool down, but that's a lot of heat until then.

My kids did occasionally get redness, but it went away quickly ... I'm pretty sure I remember the ortho wanting to see them any time there was redness that didn't go away on its own after an hour or two of not wearing the helmet.

They sell that caldescence (sp?) powder at walmart, and it helped some.