Why did I suddenly get 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.
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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.
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Hitler during the First World War
The First World War played a decisive role in Hitlers life. It gave his life, which had been rather unsuccessful up until then, a new purpose. In 1914, he enlisted in the German army, which, together with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was fighting France, England, and Russia. Although he saw little action, he did receive an award for courage shown.
When Germany surrendered in November 1918, Hitler was in a military hospital. His eyes had been hurt in a poison gas attack in Belgium. Confined to his sickbed, he heard the news of the German surrender, which plunged him into a deep crisis. He wrote that everything began to go black again before my eyes. Stumbling, he groped his way back to the dormitory and dug his burning head in blanket and pillow.
What Is Dermatographia (Skin Writing)?
Key takeaways:
Dermatographia also called skin writing is a condition where people develop raised red lines when pressure is applied to their skin.
Some people develop severe itching from dermatographia that can interfere with their daily lives.
Taking medications, like antihistamines, and avoiding triggers can help people manage their symptoms.
Have you ever scratched your arm or leg and looked down a few minutes later to find a raised red mark where you scratched? If youve experienced this phenomenon, you may have dermatographia.
People with dermatographia develop raised marks or even hives (welts) when pressure like firm touch or scratching is applied to their skin.
Dermatographia is also called:
Dermographism
Urticaria factiti
Dermographic urticaria
Skin writing
For some people, dermatographia doesnt bother them too much. Some people even turn it into an art form. But other people who experience dermatographia suffer from intense itching and even have trouble wearing certain types of clothing.
If you think you have dermatographia, heres everything you need to know about what causes it, how its diagnosed, and how you can treat it.
What causes dermatographia?
Dermatographism is a kind of allergic reaction. When someone with this condition applies pressure to their skin, their mast cells release a chemical called histamine along with other inflammatory substances.
These substances cause skin redness and swelling better known as hives. But unlike other allergic reactions, these hives dont only look like oval welts. They take the shape of any pressure applied to your skin.
The hives appear within 5 to 7 minutes and fade over 15 to 30 minutes. They may be itchy and usually form on your arms, legs, or torso.
Researchers arent sure why certain peoples bodies release histamine in response to skin pressure, while others dont.
Some older studies show that people develop dermatographism because of triggers like:
Excessively dry skin
Exercise
Strong emotions or stress
Cold weather
Hot water
Infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi
Certain medications, like penicillin
Whos most at risk of dermatographia?
About 5% of people experience dermatographia at some point in their lives. Its more common in younger people, especially children.
People with certain medical conditions are more likely to develop dermatographism, including those with:
People who are pregnant or going through menopause are also more likely to experience dermatographia. And the condition can also run in families.
How is dermatographia diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can diagnose dermatographia by talking to you about your symptoms and doing a provocation test.
During a provocation test, your healthcare provider will stroke the skin on your forearm or back with the blunt end of a pencil or with a special instrument for dermatographia testing. After that, youll wait about 10 minutes to see if raised marks show up along the path of the object. If they do, its very likely that you experience dermatographia.
Make sure you dont take any antihistamines for several days before your provocation test, because they can affect how your body responds to the test.
How do you treat dermatographia?
Some people prefer not to treat their dermatographia, because their symptoms are mild. But about 40% of people have severe itching that interferes with their daily lives. This itching can keep them from sleeping, working, wearing certain fabrics, and even going out in certain types of weather.
Luckily, theres many treatments to help manage or even stop the itching and welts.
Medications and therapies
Medications like antihistamines can treat dermatographia. These include:
Some of these are available over the counter. But its important to talk to your healthcare provider before using them. Thats because some people need much higher doses in order for the medications to work. Others need to start medications called H2 blockers along with antihistamines.
In older studies, UV light therapy lessened symptoms in some people. There is also promising evidence that the monoclonal antibody, omalizumab, can help people with more severe symptoms.
Trigger avoidance
One of the best ways to treat dermatographia is to avoid triggers. With certain changes in your daily life, you may be able to improve your symptoms naturally.
For this to work, you need to know what usually triggers your dermatographia. Keep a journal to see if you can pinpoint these triggers. Some common ones include:
Dry skin: Dry skin is a common trigger for many people. To avoid dry skin, youll need to focus on skin hydration. This includes using non-drying soaps, detergents, and other skin care products. You can also use non-irritating emollients to keep your skin hydrated.
Trauma: Avoid causing direct trauma to your skin, like scratching or rubbing. Choose looser fitting clothing, including undergarments, whenever possible.
Temperature: If temperature is one of your triggers, try to avoid time in the heat or cold when possible. If heat specifically triggers your symptoms, try turning down the temperature in your baths and showers.
Fabrics: Certain fabrics can trigger dermatographia, like scratchy wool or synthetic fibers. Fabrics like cotton and linen might be less irritating.
Diet: Some people notice improvements in their symptoms when they eat a healthier diet that is rich in anti-inflammatory foods.
Stress: Mental health plays an important role in managing your triggers. Make sure youre getting enough sleep, exercise, and mental health support.
Is dermatographia serious?
While dermatographia can affect your daily life, its not considered dangerous. And it doesnt cause any health issues.
Another piece of good news: dermatographia often goes away. Studies show that in 33% of people, it resolves within 5 years. In some people, the condition lasts for as little as 10 days.
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Kontou-Fili, K., et al. (1997). Physical urticaria: Classification and diagnostic guidelines. An EAACI position paper. Allergy.
Kulthanan, K., et al. (2020). Symptomatic dermographism: A systematic review of treatment options. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In Practice.
Lee, E., et al. (2001). Treatment of urticaria. An evidence-based evaluation of antihistamines. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.
Liccioli, G., et al. (2020). Dermatographism and urticaria in a pediatric population. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.
Martorell, A., et al. (2000). Prevalence of dermographism in children. Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology.
Matthews, C. N., et al. (1973). Dermographism: Reduction in weal size by chlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine. The British Journal of Dermatology.
Mlynek, A., et al. (2013). A novel, simple, validated and reproducible instrument for assessing provocation threshold levels in patients with symptomatic dermographism. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.
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Skintome. (n.d.). Skintome.
Smith, J. A., et al. (1983). Dermographia caused by IgE mediated penicillin allergy. Annals of Allergy.
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