What is a wheal on skin?

What is a wheal on skin?

A weal (or wheal) is a superficial skin-coloured or pale skin swelling, usually surrounded by erythema that lasts anything from a few minutes to 24 hours. Urticaria can co-exist with angioedema which is a deeper swelling within the skin or mucous membranes.

What causes wheal formation?

There can be many causes, including exposure to an allergen, a physical trigger, such as pressure from tight clothing, or an underlying health condition. The medical name for hives is “urticaria.” People also call it welts, wheals, or nettle rash.

How do you treat a wheal?

Chronic hives may be treated with antihistamines or a combination of medications. When antihistamines don't provide relief, oral steroids may be prescribed. A biologic drug, omalizumab (Xolair), is also approved to treat chronic hives in people at least 12 years old.

What is a wheal also called?

Wheals reflect circumscribed dermal edema (fluid collection in the layer of skin below the surface). A wheal is also sometimes called a welt and often a hive.

What is wheal and flare?

The wheal and flare response is a descriptor used when talking about a two stage allergic response seen in Type 1 hypersensitivity. The first stage, called the wheal, is controlled by substances called acute phase mediators. The second stage, called the flare, is controlled by substances called late phase mediators.

What do the wheal and flare numbers mean?

The wheal is the raised area of skin. The flare is the red area of skin surrounding the wheal. For example, a result of 5/15 for alder tree doesn't mean 5 out of 25. Both numbers are measurements, so it indicates that there was a 5 mm wheal and a 15 mm flare.

How do you treat a wheal flare?

Levocetirizine administered as monotherapy or in combination with montelukast in arm A and monotherapy with desloratadine, as well as concomitant treatment with desloratadine and montelukast in arm B were the most effective treatment options of inhibiting the size of wheal and flare in SPT.

What is wheal flare reaction?

The wheal and flare response is a descriptor used when talking about a two stage allergic response seen in Type 1 hypersensitivity. The first stage, called the wheal, is controlled by substances called acute phase mediators. The second stage, called the flare, is controlled by substances called late phase mediators.

What is a wheal and flare reaction?

The wheal and flare response is a descriptor used when talking about a two stage allergic response seen in Type 1 hypersensitivity. The first stage, called the wheal, is controlled by substances called acute phase mediators. The second stage, called the flare, is controlled by substances called late phase mediators.

What does Wheals look like?

Wheals with white-to-light-pink color centrally and peripheral erythema in a close-up view. These are the classic lesions of urticaria. It is characteristic that they are transient and highly itchy.