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My 5-month-old son has dermographism. If you touch him he breaks out in a welt or hives. His clothes rubbing on him also cause hives. Everybody thinks that I have hurt him because they see the welts all over his body. He gets so many just from being picked up and sat down changing clothes and diapers and what not. I have to explain to them about his skin condition. It has been very hard and at first before I found out what it was I felt guilty. But now that we have found out that it is dermatographism, I am starting to research it to have a better understanding of what to do.
Amber July 31, 2007
I never noticed my symptoms until about three years ago. I was going to the beach with some friends, we were in the store walking around when one of my friends asked me what happened to back of my arm. Just a few moments ago I had been scratching, I looked at the back of my upper arm to find welts or raised hives. I thought that I was having an allergic reaction to something and thought nothing else about it.
Two days later, when I arrived home, I talked to my mother who is a nurse about this rash that was making my skin irradiated. She told me that the welts or hives on my skin were nothing new and that since I was a baby I would scratch at my skin and welts would form. When I asked what I should do she told me do not scratch. So for the past three years I fought the urge to scratch, most times I would find myself doing it subconsciously. My friends would ask me what was wrong with my skin and I would tell them I had sensitive skin.
About six months ago, I was online looking around when I came across this website. Well not wanting to jump to any ideas I did lots of research, I went to my mother with my findings and talked to her. She took me to the doctor and what I was told was that I had dermographism. When asked if I wanted to try to treat it I told them no thank you. I figured if I have been living with these hives for this long and been able to tolerate it I could go on. There are times when it drives me crazy, but if I just take a moment and think about something else the urge to scratch does dissipate.
Sara July 27, 2007
I had a severe case of Dermographism and it IS curable. After being diagnosed with this disorder in 1993, my doctor/allergist prescribed Seldane, an antihistamine, which is now off the market due to causing liver problems. At the advice of a friend, I visited a local MD/Homeopath named Dr. Franne Berez in Pittsburgh, PA USA. She concluded that my Dermographism and hives were caused in part by prolonged use over time of antibiotics (for ear and sinus infections) causing a breakdown of stomach and intestinal enzymes and/or good bacteria (I can't remember the exact term), which in turn, intensified allergic
reactions to certain foods I consumed, causing my body to over-produce histamines,
causing the Dermographism.
After prescribing a one-month cleansing diet, graduating from whey protein shakes to white rice and steamed vegetables and a remedy of sulfur, within a week ALL of my symptoms disappeared (itching, hives, welts, redness, etc.) and have not returned since! All without antihistamines!!! I encourage anyone suffering from Dermographism to look for a good homeopath or contact Dr. Berez personally to completely rid yourself from this disorder
Glenn July 25, 2007
I have just realized tonight after reading this forum that I have dermatographism (skin writing hives). I am thrilled after four years of countless doctors-allergists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists unable to tell me what my problem is. One doctor told me that it was all in my head. I hope he gets a taste of his own medicine someday.
My itchy skin and hives started one night after I came home from work. This was right around the time I moved to a new state, got engaged, and lost my father to cancer. In retrospect, I can see that the extreme amount of stress I was under could have triggered this skin condition. I mean my skin is SENSITIVE. Any type of touch will welt or hive it up and make it extremely itchy. I was prescribed Zyrtec like many of you, but I
decided to switch to OTC Alavert 24-Hour Non-Drowsy and it has worked for me
pretty well where I only have to take one pill every two days. It's been over
four years now and I am dealing with it much better but in the beginning, I
wanted to die. It was so depressing to be constantly itchy and not know when
and where my next attack would come. Recently I got pregnant and I am unable
(more like unwilling) to take any medication to relieve the itching, so I'm just
dealing with it the best I can.
Anyways, I just want to thank you folks who posted your stories. It really
helped me to know that I wasn't crazy and that maybe there is hope for us. If
any of you try the noni juice (I have to wait until I'm not pregnant anymore) and see results, PLEASE let us know. I would love a natural cure, too!
Grace July 24, 2007
My problem started while I was working outdoors last summer. I have typical seasonal allergies to grasses and cottonwood trees. However, last summer I started to itch all over and I noticed that wherever I scratched raised welts or hives, lines and tiny bumps would appear. At first I thought it was poison ivy, but it would not go away and it was showing up all over my body.
I really thought I was going crazy, but finally I saw an allergist and was diagnosed with dermatographism after they did the scratch test. I have had it
for a year now with no relief. I take 4x the regular dosage of Lortadine a day
and it keeps the itching and welts or hives down, but the annoying red marks are ever
present. I also used to take Hydroxyzine. It was very effective but made me
very tired. I did try noni juice but I did not notice a change in my skin
condition.
When I got an allergy test done, I did test positive for a corn
allergy, but the doctor told me it was most likely an allergy to the pollen not
actually corn. So I have been consuming corn the whole time. I think I am
going to try to eliminate it and see if my condition improves. The problem is
that corn or corn derivatives are in so many foods. Well that is my story,
dermatographism sucks and I hope someday it goes away.
Ivy July 10, 2007
I starting getting very itchy welts or hives on my skin about two years ago. I went to an allergist without success in diagnosing my condition. I have been taking Reactine for the symptoms and it seems to work as long as I don't miss a day.
My symptoms are that I get very itchy - my scalp, around my belt (where it touched my
skin) and on my hands (tops of the hands). The welts start and then I itch them
and the welts actually scar my hands. They eventually go away.
As long as I take Reactine I am fine (I need to take once a day). I hate this
condition and wish there was something that could be done to permanently cure
myself.
Eddie June 30, 2007
I have had this problem for over sixteen years and was not diagnosed until after several visits to different doctors. The last doctor I saw declared it to be Dermagraphism and hives. I am in good health otherwise. I had all the symptoms. She put me on Hydroxyzine (Atarax) at only twenty mg. a day. It did tend to make me a little drowsy the next morning and hard to get going. My doctor told me to experiment by adjusting the dosage. I have found that as little as ten mg. a day taken around five o'clock pm allows it to wear off a little earlier and leaves no after affects in the morning. It eliminates the itching for the day and if it doesn't start up again, I will wait until the second day to take the Hydroxyzine.
Every doctor I have talked to assures me there are no serious side effects and this drug may be taken for a lifetime, safely. Those with this hives condition might want to consider asking their doctor about this drug. My son also takes Hydroxyzine with no drowsiness and, like me, with 100% results.
Cordell June 27, 2007
In December 2005, I began to itch very badly and break out into hives. I kept track of foods that I ate and saw my nurse practitioner that sent me to a dermatologist. He did the tic-tac-toe test and told me to go on Zyrtec, but never diagnosed me. I went to another doctors office and got a second opinion. I got a rast test and it was clear that I was allergic to dust mites.
I have been taking one allergy shot per week since July 2006. This has helped somewhat, but when I am stressed or hot, I itch. This past Sunday I was watering the flowers and had to come inside because it was so hot and I began to itch. It was burning and stinging, just like sun poisoning. I made an appointment with my doctor and he diagnosed me with dermatographism. I have to take two Zyrtec each day (one at night and one in the morning) for the next month.
I have been using a Walmart brand of allergy medication, but it makes me drowsy. I have to take an antihistamine once a week for my allergy shot. I did tell him that from time to time, I would spray the itchy area with Benadryl spray, which works almost immediately. He says it is okay to do this, but the Zyrtec will eventually work because he has this too!
Try the Benadryl Spray. It will sting a little, but will work instantly!!!
Wendy June 26, 2007
I woke up one night to discover rashes and hives on my biceps and shoulders. The rash extended in the direction of the scratching. I was worried because I had an allergy attack to peanuts and apples a few years ago and almost died from it. My Uncle, a doctor in the house, was of immense help. He identified the problem as dermographism and prescribed Cetrizine/Cetzine (Glaxo) and I have been on it for the last 10 years. The problem seems to be unnoticeable now.
Since I have been on the tabs for about 10 years now (I am 28), I wonder if there are any side effects to the tablets? I take 1 tablet every 2-3 days.
DD June 23, 2007
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