Dermographism Diagnosis and Treatment

by Ricky
(Michigan)

I have noticed that my skin swells and becomes whitish after I simply apply pressure, rub against something, or if something scratches my skin. The most common areas affected are my back, stomach, face, chest, and buttocks. The areas are very itchy and uncomfortable. Do I have dermographism? What can I do to settle the problem down? It is such a bother.

Dermographism leads to raised red skin appearing where pressure was applied to the skin. If you can draw or write something on your skin with a blunt object and that drawing appears as red raised skin, then you likely have dermographism.

From your description, it sounds like dermographism, although you mention whitish skin. Usually, it is red, and so I am not 100% sure about the diagnosis. If you feel it might be something else, a visit with the doctor should confirm whether you have this skin problem or not. Sometimes physicians have not heard about this problem or have no experience with it and so if you do see a doctor, mention that you suspect it is dermographism.

Treatment options can be found at this dermographism treatments page.