DERMATOGRAPHIC ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Dermatographia, or “skin writing” as it’s commonly called, is an allergic reaction in response to the skin being scratched, rubbed, or pricked. It is actually quite common and not usually dangerous. People with this condition get welts or hives within about 5 to 7 minutes of the skin being scratched or irritated. Symptoms usually disappear within 15 to 30 minutes and commonly include swelling, inflammation, welts, itching, and raised red lines where the skin was scratched. Exercise, stress, and heat or cold exposure can make symptoms worse. For sensitive people, the reactions can be triggered by things like clothing, bedsheets, or leaning against a hard surface. Dermatographia is more common in kids and teens and may be acute or chronic.

P.S. Dermatographia is called skin writing because people with this condition can use a sharp object like a fingernail to scratch words into their skin that appear as raised welts.

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