Wheal: An elevated, itchy area on the skin, sometimes indicating an underlying condition. Wheals can differ significantly; they might be more red or more pale compared to the surrounding skin. Their shapes can vary, appearing either rounded or with flat tops. Typically, wheals have a reddish tint and are known for changing in size and shape, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. Despite these variations, they consistently remain smooth and raised above the surrounding skin. Anyone who has experienced wheals knows they can be intensely and frustratingly itchy. Wheals are a result of localized edema, which means fluid accumulates in the skin layer beneath the surface. A wheal is sometimes referred to as a welt and is often known as a hive.
