Dermatographia is a disease that makes the sufferer's skin appear or stand out after being scratched or scratched. Dermatographia is also known as dermographism or dermatographic urticaria .
Dermatographia is a mild skin disorder that usually doesn't need to be treated. The raised skin often goes away on its own within 30 minutes.
However, there are some conditions that can exacerbate the symptoms of this disease. If the symptoms are quite disturbing, the patient can consult a doctor.
Causes of Dermatography
Until now, it is not known what causes dermatographia. However, dermatographia is more at risk for people with the following factors:
- Teenagers and adults
- Dry skin
- The skin is often scratched, for example people who are involved in wrestling
- Have you ever had skin inflammation?
- Suffering from thyroid disease
- Have a history of allergies
- Suffering from an infectious disease
- stress
- Are taking certain medications, such as penicillin antibiotics
Symptoms of Dermatography
Symptoms of dermatographia do not appear by themselves, but only appear when the skin is scratched. Symptoms include a bulge that follows a scratch on the skin.
You could say, people with dermatographia can write on their skin with scratches. The scratched skin can also become red, itchy, and inflamed.
Symptoms of dermatographia can get worse when the skin is exposed to dry air, as well as temperatures that are too hot or too cold. Hot baths or saunas can also make dermatographia symptoms worse.
Dermatographia can occur anywhere on the body, including the palms and soles, but is very rare on the genitals and scalp.
When to go to the doctor
Symptoms of dermatographia often go away on their own within 30 minutes. Consult a doctor if the symptoms last for 1 day or more and bother you enough.
You also need to go to the hospital emergency room if you experience dermatographia accompanied by symptoms of severe allergies ( anaphylaxis ), such as difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.
Dermatographia diagnosis
To determine whether a patient has dermatographia, no supporting examinations are needed, such as blood tests or X-rays. Examination is sufficient with a simple test, namely by attaching and swiping a special tool on the patient's skin.
In people with dermatographia, the area of the skin that is rubbed with the tool will turn red and swell within a few minutes.
Dermatographia Treatment
As described above, the symptoms of dermatographia usually go away on their own after 30 minutes. Treatment is given when the symptoms are quite severe and bothersome, for example because they last a long time.
If the symptoms bother you, it is advisable to consult a doctor. To relieve the symptoms of dermatographia that are classified as severe, the doctor will prescribe an antihistamine medication, such as diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , or cetirizine .
Dermatographia Complications
Dermatographia is not a serious condition and does not cause complications. This disease usually only causes mild skin irritation, but does not leave scars on the body.
Dermatography Prevention
There are several ways you can do to prevent or relieve the symptoms of dermatographia, namely:
- Avoiding things that can cause skin irritation , for example wearing clothes made from rough materials, using soap that does not contain perfume, or soaking in water that is too hot
- Manage stress well , for example by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, or meditation
- Always maintain skin moisture
- Don't scratch the skin if it itches