Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Wheals – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Wheals are raised, itchy skin lesions that commonly occur during allergic reactions or urticaria. They are caused by fluid accumulation in the upper layers of the skin.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Wheals"

Wheals are raised, itchy skin lesions that commonly occur during allergic reactions or urticaria. They are caused by fluid accumulation in the upper layers of the skin.

What Are Wheals?

Wheals (also called hives or urticarial lesions) are transient, raised skin lesions caused by a localized accumulation of fluid in the superficial dermis. They appear as pale or reddish elevated patches, often surrounded by a red flare (erythema). Wheals can appear singly or in large numbers across the skin and are typically accompanied by intense itching.

Causes

Wheals develop when certain triggers cause mast cells in the skin to release histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This leads to local vasodilation and the leakage of fluid into surrounding tissue.

Allergic reactions: to foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish), medications, or insect stings
Physical stimuli: pressure, cold, heat, or sunlight (physical urticaria)
Infections: viral or bacterial illnesses can trigger wheals
Autoimmune conditions: in chronic spontaneous urticaria, the immune system targets the body´s own structures
Idiopathic causes: in many cases, no specific trigger is identified

Symptoms

Wheals are easily recognized by their characteristic appearance:

Raised, pale or reddish skin elevations
Intense itching, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation
Transient nature: individual wheals usually disappear within 24 hours
Variable size: from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter
Possible accompanying symptoms: swelling (angioedema) of the lips, eyelids, or other areas

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically based on a clinical examination and a thorough medical history to identify possible triggers. Additional diagnostic steps may include:

Allergy testing: skin prick tests or specific IgE blood tests to identify allergens
Laboratory tests: complete blood count, inflammatory markers, thyroid function tests
Provocation tests: for physical urticaria, e.g., cold stimulation tests

Treatment

Treatment of wheals depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Pharmacological Treatment

Antihistamines: first-line therapy; they block histamine receptors and relieve itching and redness (e.g., cetirizine, loratadine)
Corticosteroids: used short-term for severe or persistent reactions
Biologics: e.g., omalizumab for chronic urticaria unresponsive to antihistamines
Epinephrine (adrenaline): emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis involving wheals

General Measures

Avoiding known triggers
Cool compresses to relieve itching
Use of gentle, fragrance-free skin care products

When to See a Doctor

Wheals accompanied by difficulty breathing, swallowing difficulties, severe swelling, or circulatory collapse represent a medical emergency and require immediate medical attention. Persistent or recurring wheals without a clear cause should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

References

Zuberbier T. et al. - The EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria. Allergy, 2022.
Magerl M. et al. - Urticaria and Angioedema. Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 2021.
World Allergy Organization (WAO) - Urticaria: A Review of the Current State. WAO Journal, 2020.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.