Definition

Noun: - A skin condition characterized by an itchy rash of small red spots, caused by inflammation of the sweat ducts when they become blocked, typically occurring in hot, humid weather.

Usage

• Prickly heat is an uncountable noun used to describe the medical condition itself.
• It is commonly used in general conversation and medical contexts to refer to the rash.
• Example: "Babies are particularly susceptible to prickly heat in the summer months."

Examples

• The intense humidity gave me a bad case of prickly heat.
• Applying calamine lotion can help soothe the discomfort of prickly heat.
• To prevent prickly heat, wear loose, breathable clothing in hot weather.

Advanced Usage

• Medical/Clinical Context: In dermatology, prickly heat is often referred to by its technical name, .
  • Example: "The patient presented with prickly heat, clinically diagnosed as miliaria rubra."

Variants and Related Words

• Miliaria (n): The medical term for sweat rash, encompassing different types including (prickly heat), , and .
• Heat rash (n): A common synonym for prickly heat.

Synonyms

• Heat rash: The most common direct synonym.
• Miliaria rubra: The specific medical term for the most common form of prickly heat.
• Summer rash: An informal term used in some regions.

Idioms and Phrases

(This term is a specific medical condition and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)

Noun

1. obstruction of the sweat ducts during high heat and humidity