noun

wheal

WEEL/wil/

A raised mark or swelling on the skin caused by irritation or impact.

A raised pink wheal itches on the man's forearm.

Close view of a man's forearm with one clearly elevated, pale-centered pink welt; fingertips from his opposite hand gently scratch beside it, making both the raised mark and itch visible.

Etymology

The word may be an alteration of wale, a raised lash-mark, possibly influenced by older words for welts and pustules. This would connect the skin mark with the image of a ridge.

More examples

The doctor measures the wheal during the allergy test.
The sharp slap leaves a red wheal on his shoulder.
Raised wheals appear wherever the nettles touch her skin.

Forms

wheal · wheals

Similar words

welt: Usually a long, raised mark caused by a blow.
hive: An itchy raised spot typically caused by an allergic reaction.