How I cured my dermatographia
What Is Dermatographia?
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Dermatographia refers to a condition in which seemingly minor scratches turn into temporary but significant reactions. It may be more common if you have a history of allergies or dermatitis.
This condition is also called dermographism or dermatographic urticaria. It is also sometimes called skin writing. Approximately 5 percent of people have this condition, and its most common in older children and younger adults.
Scratches can irritate your skin, but they tend to heal quickly. Some scratches are white against the skin, while others redden slightly. With dermatographia though, the scratches worsen, causing deep wounds or even allergy-like reactions.
Dermatographia is most often treated with antihistamines to reduce itchiness and overall discomfort. Theres no cure for this condition, although the symptoms dont last long. Rare cases require more in-depth medical treatment from a dermatologist.
Signs of dermatographia occur when your skin gets scratched. Symptoms dont appear on their own. Instead, these are reactions to scratches themselves. These symptoms can appear for the first time without warning.
The symptoms of dermatographia may include:
- redness
- raised marks on the skin that look like writing
- deep wounds
- welts that look like hives
- itchiness
- swelling, or inflammation
Symptoms usually last for about 30 minutes at a time. In rare cases, symptoms last for a day or longer. However, the condition of dermographism itself can last for months or years.
Symptoms may worsen in extreme temperatures. Dry weather can also increase the incidence of dermographism. Warm water from hot showers, baths, and saunas can aggravate symptoms.
The exact causes of dermatographia arent known. The condition is thought to be triggered by:
- stress
- a history of allergies
- excessive rubbing from clothing or bedding
- infections
- certain medications, including penicillin
- exercises that cause excessive skin rubbing (such as wrestling)
Though its causes are not known, there are suspected risk factors for dermatographia. You may be at an increased risk if you:
- have dry skin
- have a history of dermatitis, which is a skin inflammation
- are a young adult
- experience frequent scratches of the skin
- have thyroid disease
- have a nerve disorder or an internal illness that causes itchy skin
Children are more susceptible to dermatitis in general, while teens and young adults are more likely to develop dermatographia.
Dermatographia is diagnosed with a skin test. Your doctor will likely use a tongue depressor and lightly drag it across a portion of your skin to see if any adverse reactions occur. This test is done at the doctors office, and the condition is typically diagnosed within one visit. Your doctor may also check other areas of your skin for marks.
No blood tests or X-rays are required to diagnose this condition.
Unless dermatographia becomes chronic, you may not necessarily require medical treatment. Chronic means that it is ongoing.
Symptoms are typically treated with over-the-counter medications, though alternative remedies may also help. Dont take any new medications, herbs, or supplements without asking a doctor first.
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.
Conventional treatments
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help treat dermatographia symptoms. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), both of which may cause drowsiness.
These are antihistamines that prevent the body from producing histamine out of an adverse response to chemicals and allergens. Loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra) are other types of antihistamines, but they take longer to take effect. Taking a regular antihistamine may prevent symptoms of dermatographia before they begin.
In severe cases, a doctor may recommend phototherapy. This is a type of outpatient radiation therapy designed specifically for skin disorders. Its also used in the treatment of psoriasis.
You can buy Benadryl and other OTC antihistamines online.
Alternative treatments
Alternative remedies may also offer relief for skin writing. Remedies applied directly to the skin seem to offer the most potential. These include:
- oatmeal
- tea tree oil
- aloe vera
- rice bran broth
Buy tea tree oil and aloe vera now.
The
- borage oil
- fish oil
- multivitamins
- primrose oil
- vitamins B-6, B-12, D, and E
There is no solid evidence that acupuncture helps dermatitis or any other skin condition.
Lifestyle therapies
Stress management may also reduce the risk of dermatographic flare-ups. Yoga and meditation use deep breathing exercises that can decrease stress. Regular exercise can also boost feel-good endorphins in the brain that can, in turn, prevent stress before it happens.
According to the
Although the symptoms of dermatographia dont last long, the condition may persist for years. This means that you may experience symptoms repeatedly if you regularly have scratches on your skin.
If your symptoms dont respond well to over-the-counter drugs or remedies, see a dermatologist for help. They specialize in diseases of the skin and may recommend prescription medications or ointments that can offer relief.
Despite the discomfort dermatographia may cause, the negative reactions may be preventable. Consider the following lifestyle changes and preventive measures you can take:
- Avoid itchy clothes and bedding. Wool and synthetic materials are common skin irritants.
- Use soaps without fragrance. These added chemicals and dyes can make your skin itchy.
- Take cool or lukewarm showers.
- Use a humidifier during cool, dry months.
- Moisturize your skin daily. For best results, use a moisturizing lotion or cream within a few minutes of bathing.
- Avoid scratching your skin if possible. Treating itchy skin can help avoid scratches.
- Manage your stress. Exercise, adequate sleep, and meditation can alleviate stress.
Causes and treatment of skin writing
Dermatographia is a skin condition that causes individuals to develop raised welts after their skin is scratched. The popular name for the condition is skin writing due to the pronounced reaction.
Although skin writing may sound exotic, dermatographia is a common condition, affecting 2 to 5 percent of the population. It is considered one of the more prevalent forms of hives and accounts for
With simple dermographism people develop welts after rubbing their skin, any brief contact with it, or scratching, but the resulting hives do not itch.
What Is Dermatographia?
This article will define dermatographia and explain the symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Dermatographia is also known as dermatographism, urticaria dermographia, or urticaria factitial. The literal meaning of dermatographia is to write on the skin.
This name reflects how the condition presents itself. Downward pressure on the skin by scratching or rubbing produces marks that almost exactly follow the pattern of the pressure.
Dermatographia
Dermatographia occurs in approximately
What are the symptoms of dermatographia?
The symptoms of dermatographia include the following:
- raised welts that look like hives
- swollen areas and inflammation around the welts
- itchy skin that may worsen at night and with heat, stress, emotions, and exercise
The welts usually appear about
Many people often do not speak with their doctor to find treatment for dermatographia.
A small percentage of people with the condition may have itchy skin, also known as pruritus, together with welts. The stinging or prickling can cause discomfort. If you need relief from these uncomfortable sensations, speak with your doctor.
Read more about pruritus here.
What causes dermatographia?
Researchers are not sure what causes dermatographia. It appears that
- Stress: It appears that stress can contribute to the condition.
- Medical conditions: People with hypereosinophilic syndrome, Behcet disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions are more likely to have dermatographia.
- Bacterial infections: It appears that there is a correlation between antibiotics, bites, or scabies and the likelihood of developing dermatographia.
- Skin conditions: Dry skin or dermatitis may make you more likely to have dermatographia.
Read more about histamine here.
Does stress cause dermatographia?
Is dermatographia an autoimmune illness?
Dermatographia may be an autoimmune disease. Researchers think that the condition may be an inappropriate response of the immune system. Your immune system may register scratching or pressure as an allergen. It then sends histamine to the area to remove the allergen, and this leads to the welts.
How do you treat dermatographia?
Dermatographia does not usually need treatment. The following steps can help to ease your symptoms:
- Decrease your stress with light exercise, walking in nature, and mindfulness or breathing exercises.
- Remove physical stimuli such as pressure due to tight clothing and itchy materials such as wool.
- Bathe in lukewarm water, use mild soaps, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it.
- Apply moisturizers to the affected areas.
If your symptoms persist, antihistamines, such as cetirizine or loratadine, can help manage itchiness. Antihistamines typically start taking effect in about 30 minutes.
You can take hydroxyzine, a sedating antihistamine, before sleep. Ultraviolet B radiation may be effective for people unresponsive to antihistamines.
There is no cure for dermatographia yet. While the condition usually disappears after 1 or 2 years, in some cases, it may persist for your lifetime.
Dermatographia is a harmless skin condition with usually mild symptoms. You can effectively treat it by decreasing your stress and removing physical stimuli.
When symptoms persist, your doctor can prescribe antihistamines for relief.
Dermatographia Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis and Prevention
What is Dermatographia?
Dermatographia, also known as skin writing, is a skin disorder where light scratching of the skin creates red bruises. When people with dermatographia scratch their skin lightly, the scratches turn into a raised wound that looks like Cholinergic Urticaria (hives). These marks usually disappear within 30 minutes. This illness affects about 5% of the population, with older children and adults most affected.
Although the symptoms do not last long, there is no cure for this illness. In rare cases, a dermatologist will have to provide medical treatment.
What are the symptoms of dermatographia?
Dermatographia symptoms appear mostly when the skin is scratched. These signs and symptoms might develop suddenly and without notice. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of dermatographia:
- Redness
- Raised marks on the skin
- Bruises that resemble hives
- Itchiness
- Inflammation or swelling
- Extreme temperatures and dry weather might worsen the symptoms, which can persist for about 30 minutes to a day or more.
Consult a doctor if the signs and symptoms are very severe.
What are the causes of dermatographia?
Though the exact causes of dermatographia are not known, the conditions that can trigger them include:
- Allergies
- History of stress
- Excessive irritation from clothing
- Infections
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin
- Excessive rubbing of the skin
Is dermatographia caused by stress?
Dermatographia may get aggravated or caused due to stress. It is best to reduce the stress, which may assist you in preventing dermatographia flare-ups. Following are some of the tips that may help you reduce stress:
- Take a deep breath and count till 10
- Get eight hours of sleep every night
- Eat healthily and drink caffeine and alcohol in moderation
- Try exercising daily
- Have a positive attitude
- Keep a journal and write in it daily
- Talk to your friends, family, and a therapist about your life
Dermatographia may be an autoimmune disease.
If you experience dermatographia, it could be an autoimmune disease. Several healthcare providers and medical researchers believe it may be an inappropriate response from your immune system to regard a scratch or pressure as an allergen. Thus, sending chemical histamine to fight and remove the allergen from your body.
When to see a doctor?
If you have a history of developing hives, you should consult a doctor or a dermatologist.
Before meeting any doctor, it is essential to record in the journal skin outbreaks and disturbances, also include the following:
- Clothing worn
- List of food and drinks consumed
- Environmental factors
It helps the doctor to diagnose the condition and identify any potential triggers accurately. The doctor may also conduct a physical examination and look into your personal and family medical history in detail.
As a standard practice, if the doctor suspects dermatographia, they may replicate potential triggers by scratching your skin with a tongue depressor. The doctor may also use a dermagraphometer to measure the skins response to external pressure.
What are the possible risk factors associated with dermatographia?
You are more likely to develop dermatographia:
- If you have a dry complexion
- If you are a young adult with a history of dermatitis (skin irritation)
- If you scratch your skin regularly
- If you have thyroid problems
- If you have itchy skin as a result of a nerve disorder or an interior condition
How is dermatographia diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose dermatographia with a simple test by drawing the tongue depressor across the skin of your arm or back to check if a swollen line, red, or welt (wheal) appears within a few minutes.
Treatment:
Conventional treatment:
The doctor may prescribe anti-histamines to stop that body from producing histamine. However, loratadine or fexofenadine are some anti-histamines that take time to show results. You can also find over-the-counter medications, such as diphenhydramine and cetirizine, which may cause drowsiness. If you consume an anti-histamine regularly, you may prevent the onset of dermatographia.
However, in severe cases, your doctor may recommend phototherapy. It is one of the many outpatient radiation therapies for various skin disorders and psoriasis.
Alternative treatment:
If conventional treatment fails, you can opt for an alternative treatment option that provides relief from skin hives. These are applied directly to the skin. You can use ingredients such as:
- Oatmeal
- Tea tree oil
- Aloe vera
- Bran rice broth
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reveals that the following treatments and remedies lack evidence of effectiveness.
- Borage oil
- Fish oil
- Multivitamins
- Primrose oil
- Vitamin B-6, B-12, D & E
Acupuncture is another alternative medicine that does not have evidence to prove its effectiveness.
Lifestyle Therapies:
Stress can be one of the contributing factors to dermatographia. Therefore, practising yoga and meditation using deep breathing techniques and regular exercises boost endorphins and reduces stress. According to the NCCIH, children with this condition find relaxation techniques the most beneficial. However, if lifestyle changes fail to decrease stress and improve the symptoms, you may need expert medical advice.
Trigger avoidance :
Avoiding triggers that result in dermatographia is one of the best ways to treat the condition. Specific lifestyle changes can help you improve your health and decrease symptoms naturally.
Keeping a journal to write down the triggers helps in avoiding them. The common triggers are as follows:
- Dry Skin: It is the most common trigger. You can easily avoid it when you use non-drying soaps, detergents, non-irritating emollients, and other skincare products.
- Trauma: No more scratching or rubbing the skin; opt for loose-fitting clothes, including undergarments.
- Temperature: for some, temperature triggers hives. If you are one of them, avoid time in heat or cold. If heat is the trigger, avoiding extremely hot temperatures during baths is best.
- Fabrics: Clothes made from wool and synthetic fibres scratch the skin, thus triggering dermatographia. Therefore, choose less irritating fabrics such as cotton and linen.
- Diet: Include food rich in anti-inflammatory to witness improvements in the symptoms of dermatographia.
- Stress: Mental health is vital in reducing stress. Ensure that you get adequate sleep, exercise, and mental health support.
How To Get Rid of Dermatographia?
Typically, the symptoms of dermatographia are mild and reduce within 30 minutes. However, if the severe and lasts for more than 30 minutes, the following are the treatment options:
- Over-the-counter anti-histamine tablets
- Prescription cromolyn to bloc allergic reactions
- Moisturiser for the affected areas
If the above treatment fails, doctors may treat the symptoms with an injection of prescription biologic therapy. Minimising stress with meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and muscle relaxations helps reduce the conditions symptoms.
What are the side effects of anti-histamine?
The following are the side effects of anti-histamine:
What Can You Expect if You Have Dermatographia?
If you are diagnosed with dermatographia, you have to worry about it as it only causes minor, temporary irritation and symptoms. You may have this condition for months, years, or your whole life. However, there is no cure for it, as it goes away on its own in a year or two or becomes milder.
Who Could Get Dermatographia?
Around 5% of people experience this condition, which is more common among young individuals, particularly children. Also, you are more likely to develop the condition if you are suffering from the following:
It is essential to note that this is a genetic condition. Pregnant women and women going through menopause may also develop this condition.
Conclusion
Dermatographia symptoms dont stay long, yet the disorder might last for years. This means that if one scratches the skin frequently, they may have symptoms regularly. Consult a dermatologist if the symptoms do not respond to over-the-counter medications to receive drys or ointments to help relieve symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers dermatographia?
The exact triggers of dermatographia are unknown. Simple things, such as when your skin brushes against the bedsheet, or sometimes, it develops soon after infection, stress, or reaction to medications like penicillin.
Is dermatographia a form of eczema?
Dermatographia is not a form of eczema.
Does dermatographia last forever?
The symptoms of dermatographia may not last long. However, the condition may remain for several months to years. In simple terms, you may frequently get the symptoms.
Can anxiety cause dermatographia?
Stress and anxiety are one of the triggers of dermatographia. Reducing stress helps minimise the symptoms of dermatographia.
Why is my dermatographia getting worse?
Your dermatographia is getting worse due to the extreme temperature. Dry weather or warm water from hot showers, baths, and saunas are some reasons for aggravated symptoms.
