-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1736, in the meaning defined above
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 29 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share