prickly heat

noun

: a noncontagious cutaneous eruption of red pimples with intense itching and tingling caused by inflammation around the sweat ducts

Examples of prickly heat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Know the signs of heat illness Heat cramps: Sweating; muscle aches; prickly heat rash, especially in areas where clothing meets the skin; and dizziness. —Rachel Royster, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Aug. 2024

There is no way to avoid prickly heat entirely in hot weather, but wearing loosely fitting clothes and moving around to allow skin to breathe can help. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 22 July 2024

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat or miliaria, happens when sweat is trapped in the skin, causing small blisters and lumps to form, the Mayo Clinic explains. —Korin Miller, SELF, 10 Aug. 2022

The girl was filthy, blistered by prickly heat and bitten by ants, her ankles chafed by chains attached to an iron stake. —Sam Roberts, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

prickly heat

noun

: a rash around the openings of the sweat glands with pimples, itching, and tingling that is caused by inflammation

Medical Definition

prickly heat

noun

prick·​ly heat ˈprik-lē- 

: a noncontagious cutaneous eruption of red pimples with intense itching and tingling caused by inflammation around the sweat ducts

called also heat rash

see miliaria