Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsCausesSymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
This article will discuss dermographism, the connection to autoimmune disease, causes, treatments, and more.
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How Dermographism Works
There may be a connection between dermographism and autoimmune response, but this relationship is not fully understood.
Autoimmune disorders, including thyroid conditions andlupus, have been associated with hive symptoms but more research is needed to explain why.These conditions also include:
Autoimmune Disease DefinitionAutoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy cells instead of pathogens that cause disease.
Autoimmune Disease Definition
Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy cells instead of pathogens that cause disease.
There are various triggers for hives, such asallergicreactions to foods or viral infections.Physical irritation or contact with the skin is the trigger for dermographism. When the irritation occurs, a chemical in the body called histamine is released in response, dilating blood vessels and leading to redness and itching. Histamine release also causes swelling.
Dermographism Causes
It is not always clear why some people experience hives after contact with an irritant, but an allergy or underlying disease could be the cause. Many people with autoimmune disease experience hives, and it is believed that there is a link between autoimmune disease and dermographism. Other causes of this condition include:
Additional factors that may lead to dermographism or that make hives more likely to appear after irritation include:
The most common symptom of dermographism is red,itchy bumps on the skin.Since the reaction occurs in response to physical contact, the marks usually appear in lines or patterns where the skin is scratched. The word “dermatographia” translates to “writing on the skin” and is how the condition got its name.
Dermographism symptoms include:
A healthcare professional, such as a primary care provider, an allergist, or adermatologist, can recommend specific treatment options.
The Best Options for Hives Treatment
First-line therapy, avoiding triggers, and second-generation oral antihistamines are effective treatment options for dermographism.People experiencing dermographism can also try preventive strategies to avoid symptoms.
Prevention for DermographismAvoid rubbing, scratching, or applying too much pressure to the skinMaintain a comfortable temperature, not becoming overheated or too coldWear loose-fitting clothingManage stress
Prevention for Dermographism
Avoid rubbing, scratching, or applying too much pressure to the skinMaintain a comfortable temperature, not becoming overheated or too coldWear loose-fitting clothingManage stress
Summary
Dermographism is a form of hives that occurs when the skin is scratched, rubbed, or irritated, leading to itchy, red bumps that last for about 30 minutes. Since dermographism is a reaction to direct contact it can show up in patterns like scratch lines.
The connection between dermographism and autoimmune disease is not fully understood. For some patients, the main presenting symptom of an undiagnosed new autoimmune condition is dermographism or hives. When the autoimmune condition is treated, the dermographism and hives often also go into remission.
This condition does not always need to be treated because symptoms go away quickly, but treatment and prevention options may help to provide relief and decrease the chances of the hives returning.
A Word From Verywell
Living with dermographism can be challenging, especially when the condition becomes frequent and/or comes and goes for a long time. The symptoms can be uncomfortable. If you or someone you know is experiencing dermographism, talk to your provider about prevention and treatment options.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt is not entirely clear what causes dermographism flare-ups. Some things that may make it more likely include physical or emotional stress, exercise, and extreme temperatures.The relationship between dermographism and the immune system is not fully understood. It is believed that there is a link between autoimmune disease and dermographism, and many people experience both at the same time. Autoimmune disease is when the immune system is activated for an unknown reason and attacks healthy cells.While dermographism is not considered one of the mast cell disorders, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), there is a connection between these conditions.Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that are located under the skin and in smaller quantities in other areas of the body. They release histamine, a chemical in the body, which leads to hives or the itchy bumps experienced with dermographism.
It is not entirely clear what causes dermographism flare-ups. Some things that may make it more likely include physical or emotional stress, exercise, and extreme temperatures.
The relationship between dermographism and the immune system is not fully understood. It is believed that there is a link between autoimmune disease and dermographism, and many people experience both at the same time. Autoimmune disease is when the immune system is activated for an unknown reason and attacks healthy cells.
While dermographism is not considered one of the mast cell disorders, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), there is a connection between these conditions.Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that are located under the skin and in smaller quantities in other areas of the body. They release histamine, a chemical in the body, which leads to hives or the itchy bumps experienced with dermographism.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Jenerowicz D, Błaszczyk A, Raciborski F, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Adamski Z, Czarnecka-Operacz M.Pathogenetic aspects of chronic urticaria. Retrospective and prospective analysis of the patients of the department of dermatology, poznan university of medical sciences.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;38(1). doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107270Binmadi N, Almazrooa S.Dermographism in the oral cavity.Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:421-424. doi:10.12659/AJCR.898247Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune Theories of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019 Mar 29;10:627. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627.Murdaca G, Paladin F, Borro M, Ricciardi L, Gangemi S.Prevalence of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Chronic Urticaria: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications.Biomedicines. 2023 Jan 30;11(2):410. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020410.National Institutes of Health.Autoimmune diseases.National Health Services.Hives.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.University of Michigan Health - Sparrow.Dermatographia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.An update on treatment options in symptomatic dermographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Qureshi AA, Friedman AJ.A Review of the Dermatologic Symptoms of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):162-168.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Jenerowicz D, Błaszczyk A, Raciborski F, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Adamski Z, Czarnecka-Operacz M.Pathogenetic aspects of chronic urticaria. Retrospective and prospective analysis of the patients of the department of dermatology, poznan university of medical sciences.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;38(1). doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107270Binmadi N, Almazrooa S.Dermographism in the oral cavity.Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:421-424. doi:10.12659/AJCR.898247Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune Theories of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019 Mar 29;10:627. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627.Murdaca G, Paladin F, Borro M, Ricciardi L, Gangemi S.Prevalence of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Chronic Urticaria: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications.Biomedicines. 2023 Jan 30;11(2):410. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020410.National Institutes of Health.Autoimmune diseases.National Health Services.Hives.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.University of Michigan Health - Sparrow.Dermatographia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.An update on treatment options in symptomatic dermographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Qureshi AA, Friedman AJ.A Review of the Dermatologic Symptoms of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):162-168.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Jenerowicz D, Błaszczyk A, Raciborski F, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Adamski Z, Czarnecka-Operacz M.Pathogenetic aspects of chronic urticaria. Retrospective and prospective analysis of the patients of the department of dermatology, poznan university of medical sciences.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;38(1). doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107270Binmadi N, Almazrooa S.Dermographism in the oral cavity.Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:421-424. doi:10.12659/AJCR.898247Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune Theories of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019 Mar 29;10:627. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627.Murdaca G, Paladin F, Borro M, Ricciardi L, Gangemi S.Prevalence of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Chronic Urticaria: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications.Biomedicines. 2023 Jan 30;11(2):410. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020410.National Institutes of Health.Autoimmune diseases.National Health Services.Hives.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.University of Michigan Health - Sparrow.Dermatographia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.An update on treatment options in symptomatic dermographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Qureshi AA, Friedman AJ.A Review of the Dermatologic Symptoms of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):162-168.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dermatographism.
Jenerowicz D, Błaszczyk A, Raciborski F, Sadowska-Przytocka A, Adamski Z, Czarnecka-Operacz M.Pathogenetic aspects of chronic urticaria. Retrospective and prospective analysis of the patients of the department of dermatology, poznan university of medical sciences.Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2021;38(1). doi:10.5114/ada.2021.107270
Binmadi N, Almazrooa S.Dermographism in the oral cavity.Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:421-424. doi:10.12659/AJCR.898247
Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune Theories of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019 Mar 29;10:627. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627.
Murdaca G, Paladin F, Borro M, Ricciardi L, Gangemi S.Prevalence of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Chronic Urticaria: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications.Biomedicines. 2023 Jan 30;11(2):410. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020410.
National Institutes of Health.Autoimmune diseases.
National Health Services.Hives.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.
University of Michigan Health - Sparrow.Dermatographia.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.An update on treatment options in symptomatic dermographism.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
Qureshi AA, Friedman AJ.A Review of the Dermatologic Symptoms of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):162-168.
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