Autoimmune Disease and Skin Welts
by Heather
I am 36 years old and have had this dermographism skin condition for about twenty years now. It all started at a restaurant in Wyoming. After leaving the restaurant, I noticed that I had red raised lines on my forearms from them resting on the edge of the table. After that occasion, every time I would get scratched by something or any time any type of friction would occur on my skin I would get red welts. My doctor examined my problem and diagnosed my skin issue as dermographia or dermographism and prescribed me hydroxyzine to treat the symptoms that I was having. Unfortunately, the hydroxyzine did not seem to help much, and since I do not like being on medication, I discontinued the use of it.
My dermagraphia itched sometimes but often was sorer in places than anything else, especially on my hands. However, in 2009 I started having INTENSE itching beyond belief. It was so bad and I itched so much that I developed red bumps, bleeding and bruising, and was only able to sleep about two hours a night due to the EXTREME itching. In addition to the itching on my skin, I also had a problem with my thigh. On my thigh the welt that appeared (one continuous one) and covered most of my thigh was raised about 1/8th of an inch all the way around and was bright red and hard as a rock. I went to the doctor, but still no answers and no solutions. This particular episode lasted for about one tortuous month.
In April 2011, I started having skin hives with the dermographia and high fevers in the 104 degrees F range. This was accompanied with dizziness and weakness. These symptoms only lasted about a couple hours at a time, and then the fever and weakness would seem to just mysteriously go away. I have seen a dermatologist, allergist, and family doctor with regards to these new symptoms. The family doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist, due to my fevers, hives and blood tests which revealed some concern leaning towards a possible autoimmune disease. Has anyone else had high fevers or been diagnose with an autoimmune disease that also has dermographia? I would really like to know if anyone has had a similar problem as mine and what they have done to treat or cure this issue.
Autoimmune Condition Cause of Dermatographism
by Bailey
(IL)
Hi all! I'm a 39 year old female who has suffered from dermatographia all my life. In the past 18 months however, it took on a life of its own. Along with the dermatographia, I also suffer from chronic urticaria (hives), which just appear for no known reason. I have been to an endocrinologist for thyroid testing, gastroenterologist for possible bacterial (h pylori, maybe?) testing, a rheumatologist/immunologist for ANA testing (standard autoimmune testing), dermatologist for biopsy, and 2 allergists for allergy testing. Everything came back negative. I did a food elimination diet and no change. I tried homeopathic remedies and no relief. I have also tried medications such as: Benadryl, Allegra, Zyrtec, Singulair, Zantac, Doxepin, Colchicine, Dapsone, and even high-doses of prednisone, all with no relief.
My allergist finally tested me for a certain antibody (anti-FcE-R1 autoantibody) and it came back with numbers off the chart! The reason none of these medications have worked is because it is an autoimmune disorder so I am basically "allergic" to myself. The "official name" is Chronic Autoimmune Urticaria and since my body makes so many of these antibodies and is so resistant to the standard treatments, when my skin is scratched, my mast cells are in overdrive to begin with so my response is 10x worse. I don't remember being ill, but my doctor says that autoimmune disorders such as this are often triggered by an illness. Those of you for whom the dermatographia began or seemed to worsen after getting sick or being under a lot of stress, it's highly likely it's autoimmune in nature. I think there are only 2 tests available to determine if it actually is, an ASST or the anti-FcE-R1 autoantibody. This will NOT show up on a standard ANA test and only 2 labs in the US do the antibody test.
I will be starting a course of immunosuppressants soon to try and put this into "remission" because it has progressed to the point where even the seams on clothing will cause itchy wheals.
Dermographism and Connection to Autoimmune Diseases
by Trista
(Iowa)
I have read that Dermographism can be a sign of another autoimmune disease such as RA or a thyroid condition. Anyone experience this?
I have struggled with Dermographism for four years. Shortly after having surgery. Recently, my 21 year old has started to experience it, too. I worry for her as well as myself. I was also recently diagnosed with a spine condition that was caused by an undiagnosed birth defect. When talking with the specialist and telling him of my Dermographism (self diagnosed since three different doctors brushed me off when I spoke of it) and the family history of RA and thyroid issues, he was concerned and felt I needed to get blood work. Now, I feel more freaked out.
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