Diseases

Dermatographia (Dermatographism)

Dermatographism is a condition of the skin in which any mechanical force applied onto the skin gives rise to raised red patches known as wheals. This occurs specifically in response to scratching the skin. The scratched portions develop into wheals and last up to several minutes. Hence this condition is also known as ‘skin writing’.

Published January 12, 2022

Causative & risk factors

The cause of dermatographia is not known.

Clinical presentation

The patient’s skin is very hypersensitive to touch. Scratching or rubbing of any portion of the patient’s skin triggers local inflammatory changes. This is manifested in the form of raised red hive-like rashes. Itching and swelling may be present.

Investigations

Diagnosis of dermatographia is made on the basis of the patient’s symptoms and elicitation of the same by drawing any object across the skin and observing the wheals that arise.

Treatment

This condition usually goes away on its own; hence no specific treatment is indicated. Severe symptoms may need a course of anti-histaminic medications.