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 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prickly heat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly heat was in 1736

Dictionary Entries Near prickly heat

Cite this Entry

“Prickly heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly%20heat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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- How to pronounce prickly heat (audio)
: 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
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