What is heat rash commonly referred to as?

Heat rash is commonly referred to as "prickly heat." This condition occurs when sweat glands become blocked, often due to excessive sweating in hot, humid conditions, leading to redness, itching, and small red bumps on the skin. It typically affects areas where sweat can accumulate, such as under clothing or at skin folds.

Understanding the terminology associated with heat-related illnesses is important for recognizing and managing these conditions. While heat stroke and heat exhaustion are serious medical emergencies that involve systemic effects of heat exposure, and heat cramps are painful muscle contractions associated with electrolyte imbalance during strenuous activity, prickly heat specifically describes the localized skin irritation resulting from sweating. Thus, recognizing "prickly heat" as the correct term for heat rash helps differentiate it from more severe heat-related conditions.