wheal
Definition
Noun: 1. A raised, often itchy, mark or ridge on the skin: A wheal is a localized, temporary swelling of the skin, typically with a pale center and a red border. It is a characteristic sign of an allergic skin reaction, such as from hives (urticaria), or can be caused by physical irritation like the stroke of a whip or an insect bite.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- After being stung by a bee, a large, red wheal quickly formed on her arm.
- The allergy test produced a small wheal at the site of each potential allergen.
- The patient presented with multiple wheals across his torso, diagnosed as acute urticaria.
Advanced Usage
- Medical Context: In dermatology and allergy testing, a "wheal" is a primary diagnostic sign. The size of the wheal in response to an allergen is often measured to determine sensitivity.
- A positive skin prick test result is indicated by a wheal of 3 mm or greater in diameter.
Variants and Related Words
- Weal (noun): This is a variant spelling of "wheal," often used interchangeably, though "wheal" is more common in medical contexts. It can also more specifically denote a ridge or mark left on the skin by a blow from a rod or whip.
- Welt (noun): A very similar raised mark on the skin, often specifically from a blow or sting. It is a close synonym.
- Hive (noun): One of the individual swollen, itchy patches that make up the condition known as hives (urticaria); essentially synonymous with a wheal in that context.
Synonyms
- Welt: A raised mark on the skin, typically from a blow.
- Hive: A swollen or raised patch on the skin, as from urticaria.
- Bump: A more general term for a small, raised area on a surface, including skin.
- Lesion: A broad medical term for any area of damaged or abnormal tissue, which includes wheals.
Related Phrases / Idioms
- To raise a wheal: To cause a wheal to appear on the skin.
- The nettles raised wheals on his exposed legs.
Noun
-
a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
