Nettle play is a term for a form of sexual torture practiced in the BDSM community, where the dominant applies stinging nettles to the submissive’s bare skin.
Nettles give the sensation of stinging heat, but they do not bring about the same instant pain that comes from classic corporal punishment. However, the effects of this play typically last longer. The burning and itching of the affected area helps remind the submissive of the nettle play hours or even days later.
Nettle play is also known as urtication, a term which comes from the Latin word for nettle.