Dermatography is diseasewhichmake the sufferer's skin become raised or protruding after being scratched or scratched.Dermatography is also known as dermatographism 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 make symptoms worse dermatographism. If the symptoms are bothersome enough, the patient can consult a doctor.
Symptom Dermatography
Symptoms of dermatographia do not appear by themselves, but only appear when the skin is scratched. This symptom is a bulge that follows the shape of a scratch on the skin, or you could say 'a person can write on his skin with a scratch'. In addition, the scratched skin can become red, itchy, and inflamed.
Symptoms of dermatographia can worsen 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 exacerbate dermatographia symptoms.
Dermatographia can occur in almost any part of the body, including the palms of the hands and feet, 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. Check with your doctor if the symptoms last for a day or more and bother you enough.
You also need to go to the hospital emergency room if you experience symptoms of dermatographia accompanied by severe allergy symptoms (anaphylaxis), such as difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.
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 had skin inflammation.
- Suffering from thyroid disease.
- Have a history of allergies.
- Is suffering from an infectious disease.
- Stressed.
- Are taking certain medications, such as penicillin antibiotics.
Diagnosis of Dermatography
To determine whether a patient has dermatographia, no additional investigations, such as blood tests or X-rays are needed. The examination is enough with a simple test, namely by attaching a special tool to the patient's skin, then dragging it.
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 symptoms are severe and bothersome, for example, symptoms 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.
Complications of Dermatographia
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 that can be done to prevent or relieve the symptoms of dermatographia, namely:
- Avoid things that can cause skin irritation. For example, wearing clothes that are rough, using soap that doesn't contain perfume, or soaking in water that is too hot.
- Manage stress well, for example by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and meditation.
- Always maintain skin moisture.
- Do not scratch the skin when it itches.