miliaria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “miliaria” mean?
A skin condition caused by blocked sweat ducts, resulting in tiny, itchy, fluid-filled blisters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A skin condition caused by blocked sweat ducts, resulting in tiny, itchy, fluid-filled blisters.
Also used more generally to refer to heat rash or prickly heat, a common rash that can occur in hot, humid conditions, especially in infants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in technical usage. The lay term 'prickly heat' is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
Neutral medical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse, confined to medical/health contexts. Equally rare in both varieties outside these fields.
Grammar
How to Use “miliaria” in a Sentence
Patient + suffer from + miliariaHeat + cause + miliariaDoctor + diagnose + miliariaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miliaria” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The miliarial eruption was extensive.
- Miliarial vesicles are characteristic.
American English
- The miliarial rash was extensive.
- Miliarial lesions are typical.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and dermatology papers.
Everyday
Rare; 'heat rash' is preferred.
Technical
Standard term in dermatology and paediatrics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miliaria”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “miliaria”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miliaria”
- Misspelling as 'malaria' or 'miliaria'.
- Using it in casual conversation instead of 'heat rash'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, miliaria is not contagious. It is caused by blocked sweat ducts, not by an infectious agent.
It is very common in newborns and infants because their sweat ducts are not fully developed. It also affects adults in hot, humid climates or during intense physical activity.
Miliaria is caused by blocked sweat ducts and appears as tiny, clear or red bumps. Hives (urticaria) are raised, itchy welts often caused by an allergic reaction.
Treatment focuses on cooling the skin and reducing sweating. This includes moving to a cooler environment, wearing loose clothing, and using calamine lotion or mild topical steroids for itching. It usually resolves on its own.
A skin condition caused by blocked sweat ducts, resulting in tiny, itchy, fluid-filled blisters.
Miliaria is usually technical / medical in register.
Miliaria: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪl.iˈeə.ri.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪl.iˈer.i.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MILIaria like MILIons of tiny beads of sweat trapped under the skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOCKED FLOW (sweat ducts as blocked pipes).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common layperson's term for miliaria?