| Dermatographia (aka "skin writing") is a rare, | | | | they may last hours or even days. This may cause |
| auto-immune skin condition which affects about five | | | | sufferers to experience pain and a burning sensation. |
| percent of the human population. Individuals impacted | | | | The causes of dermatographia are unknown but |
| by this condition have hypersensitive skin and even | | | | some believe it to be an allergic reaction of some |
| minor injuries, rubbing, or scratching can cause raised, | | | | kind. It may also have a genetic basis. Moreover, |
| red lines and ridges to appear on the affected area. | | | | other skin disorders like dry skin or dermatitis |
| Other symptoms include itching, swelling, | | | | increases the risk of dermatographia. Dermatographia |
| inflammation, and hive-like welts on the skin. Hives | | | | has not been conclusively tied to gender or any |
| form when skin cells known as "mast cells" become | | | | particular ethnicity; however, it seems to be more |
| sensitive to physical stimulation like scratching and | | | | prevalent in young adults between the ages of 20 |
| release histamines. This then causes blood to leak out | | | | and 30. |
| of blood vessels under the skin. In 2008, an artist | | | | <b>Treatment</b> |
| named Ariana Page Russell used this condition as | | | | The most common means of treating |
| basis for art by drawing designs and patterns on it as | | | | dermatographia is through anti-histamines and steroids |
| though it were a canvas. | | | | to relieve symptoms. Anti-histamines block the |
| Dermatographia is not a serious condition and | | | | release of histamines by the immune system. They |
| symptoms do not normally last very long. However, | | | | are not, however, guaranteed to cure hives and can |
| scratching and rubbing can cause irritation and | | | | also have side effects. Herbal and/or other natural |
| discomfort. Triggers include rubbing against clothing | | | | remedies may also be used to treat dermatographia. |
| and bedsheets, exposure to cold, heat, and sunlight, | | | | Self-care measures such as drinking plenty of water, |
| and/or applying pressure to the skin in some way. It | | | | using moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated, and |
| may also be caused by stress or emotion. In most | | | | simply not scratching one's skin should also be |
| cases, symptoms disappear between 30 minutes to | | | | followed to the extent possible. |
| two hours following the irritation but in some cases | | | | |