Dermatographism, skin writing, or dermatographic urticaria, is a kind of skin disorder which causes skin to be highly sensitive to pressure or touch in general. This skin condition is frequently referred to as skin writing as a result of the appearance of bumpy, itchy, red rashes when the skin is scratched or touched.
It is believed to be caused by some kind of allergic reaction of the skin, though we are not sure exactly what allergens cause it to develop. To treat dermatographic urticarial, one should use antihistamines, which are simply medications that are effective at treating many allergic conditions.
Appearance
Hives are red, itchy rashes that are also raised and unsightly in appearance. Those who suffer from dermatographic urticaria can develop hives any time their skin is rubbed, scratched, or otherwise irritated.
Additional factors, like stress or temperature changes, can also result in the appearance of hives. This skin condition can develop on anybody at any age. However, this condition can also heal on its own after several year, reduce in severity over time, or may remain indefinitely.
Symptoms
In most cases, sufferers experience symptoms of dermatographic urticaria within a few minutes of the skin being scratched, rubbed, stroked, or otherwise touched. These symptoms usually disappear without the need of any treatment within an hour or so.
In other similar skin conditions, symptoms can remain for several hours. One such instance is delayed pressure dermatographism, which can result in pain and a burning sensation that can remain for several hours after the initial pressure has been applied.
Diagnosing
It is simple to obtain a diagnosis for this skin condition. The doctor can easily test by stroking the skin using an object like a pen, wait a few minutes, and then examine the area to see if any red, raised marks are developing where the pen made contact with the skin.
If there is, it is a positive diagnosis of dermatographic urticaria. To test for delayed pressure dermatographism, one needs only to place an object, such as a heavy backpack, on the shoulders for a sufficient length of time and then checking the areas where the backpack exerted pressure on the body for any signs of symptoms.
Treatment
There is not always a need for medical treatment for dermatographic urticaria. For instance, if the rash that develops does not cause any itching or pain, no treatment may be necessary except only for cosmetic reasons. Those who do suffer from irritating symptoms are prescribed antihistamines for use when symptoms begin to appear.
Additionally, cortisone creams can be beneficial in relieving some of the itching. Toddles and babies who have been diagnosed with this skin condition are administered antihistamines until they are old enough to express whether the symptoms are truly bothersome for them or not, where they can stop taking antihistamines if they aren’t, otherwise they will continue to take them.