prickly heat

noun

, Pathology.

1. a cutaneous eruption accompanied by a prickling and itching sensation, due to an inflammation of the sweat glands.

prickly heat

noun

1. a nontechnical name for miliaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of prickly heat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40

Example Sentences

In the Library of America’s “Didion: The 1960s & ’70s,” readers can feel the prickly heat, smell the approaching catastrophe.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m seeing a lot of heat cases, prickly heat, a lot of foot cases - athlete’s foot and borderline trench foot - and a lot of exhaustion,” he said.

From Washington Times

The journey consists of a series of adventures in the broiling temperatures, culminating in a stifling encounter that could be the cinematic equivalent of prickly heat.

From Salon

She said, “I know prickly heat. This is not prickly heat. I haven’t slept in three, perhaps four days. Who can count? I used to keep a clean bed. Our linens were muslin. Believe me, don’t believe me, our mosquito nets were as soft as silk. Such comforts you cannot even dream them.”

From Literature

“It’s not prickly heat,” Boori Ma said.

From Literature