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

It was true that prickly heat was common during the rainy season.

From Literature

A victory against their city rivals would go some way towards deflecting some of the prickly heat he’s feeling.

From The Guardian