Which medical condition is more commonly known as a hive ?

Question:- Which medical condition is more commonly known as a hive ?

a. Cicatrix b. Vesicle c. Pustule d. Wheal e. Erosion

Answer: D. Wheal

Wheal, which is also referred to as a hive, is an erythematous circumscribed and transient reaction of skin that can be observed in emergency situations. Allergy symptoms include wheals which present especially after the deposition of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in the skin. They appear as firm, pale red papules or plaques that turn white with pressure. Wheals come in various sizes ranging from a few millimeters to several inches wide.

Although the terms are often used synonymously, a wheal represents an edematous lesion erupting rapidly on skin surface. Other skin diseases of the vesicles, pustules and erosions represent various levels or degrees of irritation. Vesicle is a confined, fluid-filled lesion smaller than wheal. Pustules are the raised bumps filled with pus which is visible. Erosions are erosive lesions which only affect the epidermis hence they are superficial defects.

Wheals are the apparent symptoms of hives. In acute cases, hives form and fade within a day. Chronic hives are characterized by recurrent wheal eruptions occurring over months or years. The factors cause hives those are allergens, infections, stress, temperature change and medication reactions . For acute hives, antihistamines are widely used while identifying and avoiding triggers is a must in cases of chronic symptoms.

In conclusion, hive is a synonym for the medical condition wheal which refers to those classic characteristic rash that appear on skin as raised itchy swellings appearing in case of urticarial either acute or chronic.