Comments on: Skin Condition Dermatographia Made Into Art

By: angie d robinson

angie d robinson — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:30:54 +0000

I have had it for 9 years now. Its awful untreated, but i finally found a pill that stops it in about 15-30 minutes called Attarax. (Hydroxyzine is the generic) It works like a charm but is also a sedative, but if you have this bad enough youll just be happy to make it go away. its not a joke, like some people seem to think, judging by their comments. it can litterally drive you insane. Underwear, waistbands, stepping on something, scratching an itch, stress, heat, cold, anything will set it off.

By: jannie

jannie — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:02:18 +0000

I am 40yrs, started itching in my later 20′s. I have had this condition for about ten years. I am not fair skinned. I am african american, medium brown, someone remarked that fair skinned people tend to have this. I do know two light skinned african american women with this same condition.
I find it annoying: when getting eyebrows arched, taking showers, my lips use to welt up, if an itch pen grazed my face, people looking at you crazy, my upper chest looked like a cat clawed me…etc..
I have been prescribed Doxepin( an anti depressant) I take it only once a week and it does the trick. Doxepin doesn’t work for everyone . I also take Xyzal (allergy med, prescription only) 2 or 3 times a week. I itch just very little, but nothing embarrasing like before and hardly any welts.

I use to be able to play tic tac doe on my skin! I recently met an older gentlemen 57yrs- he has been prescribed Lyrica, he has relief after 12yrs and he was so glad to find out that he wasn’t crazy that there is a whole community with this issue.

By: pisces

pisces — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:27:39 +0000

I have always had this along with many other skin sensitivities to fragrances and chemicals, etc. The only time it really bothers me is if I carry things, like when I moved in the summer, it left marks all over me all day – giant red lines from where I was leaning furniture on me & people kept saying “OMG – what happened to your ______” (arm, leg, hand, face, neck, wrist, ankle etc) and then they would gasp & stare at me like I was some kind of weirdo because I said it didn’t hurt. Made me wish I moved in the winter when it was colder & I could be more covered up.

By: Charlsie

Charlsie — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:53:57 +0000

I am 31 years old and have had this every bit of 10 years, but didn’t know what it was until 7 or 8 years ago. Mine, too, is severe. There is NO PAIN. For me, it is immense itching and whelping up!

Over the last 10 years, I have been taking Zyrtec daily… you know how the commercial says, “24 hour relief?” well… it’s about 20-22 for me. When it begins to wear off, OOOOH BUDDY! WATCH OUT! I ran out one night and awoke at 2:00 am itching myself to death! I was drawn to tears… this was at the time Zyrtec was available by prescription only. So, I drove 40 miles one way to a 24-hr Walgreens for relief. It is NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO WISH FOR YOURSELF! It is embarrassing and frustrating! Just last night, was at a bday party and was thinking I was like an old woman because we were gonna have to go so I could get home and take my medicine! Ugh! It’s not cool, ya’ll.

Try getting your eyebrows waxed… the girls freak out when it turns beat red in just a minute and whelps up like crazy! Just moving hair out of my face leaves a scratch mark that people think has been caused by a vicious cat! ha. It is NOT cool to have… yes, what the original poster has done is creative and that has it’s interest… but you do NOT want this.

By: maria

maria — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:59:09 +0000

well i have this and man itz a bitch!! i mean it doesnt hurt or anything but just to look at it on my skin, it really bothers me…

sometimes when im bord and we are goin to a place thats far away and i have my cell fone i like to write on myself and then the letters get annoying so i just let it be.

having this is cool but at the same time its pertty annoying….it doesnt affect you in any way when your having sex and its just cool when they write all over you at the same.

By: Jennerz

Jennerz — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:02:51 +0000

Seeing those gave me goosebumps…
Although I suffer from this just last summer…
And I really hate it… people would be freaked out and always ask what happened to my skin… it’s irritating both physically and socially…

By: Dahlia

Dahlia — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:27:23 +0000

I have the same condition, people say it looks like Freddy Kruger got ahold of me…I really like the writing you do on the skin, reminds me of the movie The Pillow Book.

By: DeeDee

DeeDee — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:59:32 +0000

My dermatographia is neither fun, nor beautiful, and DEFINITELY painful. I just get big blobby red welts that itch and hurt so bad I’ve thrown up in anguish.

Just looking at this made me nauseous. Where’s my Zyrtec!

By: alissa

alissa — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:25:01 +0000

wow..looks itchy..i have the same condition too..mybrother has one too

By: Donovan

Donovan — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:08:49 +0000

I have a much milder case of Dermatographia. Neat to see what you can do with yours. I don’t get the raised parts, just the redness. And if I scratch my back, it hurts like crazy.

By: Snowman

Snowman — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:20:45 +0000

is this the chick that was on 20/20 last nite??

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:46:14 +0000

Wow! It looks so good! I have it too but it’s not so defined and neat when I write! I like to do tribal patterns on my hands, but mine itches more while it’s inflamed so the leg writing would drive me crazy! Amazing though!

By: Clare K

Clare K — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:35:55 +0000

This is great, I too have dermatographia – people always comment on how painful it looks when all I’ve done is just scratch myself – it doesn’t hurt at all! Its just itchy.

… as for the suggestion for using it in exams…LOL… i am a medical student interested in dermatology so it may come in doubly handy!

The art is an interesting idea – i especially like the last picture – it really shows off the textural contrast of the welt without the surrounding redness.

By: Linda T

Linda T — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:15:14 +0000

Parents who have children with this condition must always discipline verbally or risk prosecution for child abuse. lol My son, now 48, has had this condition all his life.

By: JakeDaGreat

JakeDaGreat — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:15:30 +0000

I’ve had this condition since 7th grade and was always embarrassed about it. Thank you for giving me a new perspective on this.

By: Shawna

Shawna — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:11:01 +0000

This condition sucks – I have to take medicine everyday to prevent me from clawing myself to death – mine’s so severe that if I forget to take it once a day the itching is unbearable. To those who think it would be neat to write on your own skin, be careful what you wish for. I’m glad she found a creative outlet, but I hope mine goes away. My dr. prescribed a histimine 1 and 2 blocker (Zantac and Zyrtic) and as long as I take it I’m OK. Yes – Zantac is for stomach acid but it’s still a histimine blocker and it really does work!

By: CTSR

CTSR — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:05:50 +0000

that’s something you really don’t see everyday……

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:31:22 +0000

Both my husband and fifteen year old have this condition, other than getting bumps on their skin when they scratch themselves it doesn’t really bother them at all.

By: Luis

Luis — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:04:38 +0000

Way cool, i have the same condition. burns a bit, but after 30 mins its gone. I use to write things on my arm and scare my teachers. :p

By: Jimson

Jimson — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:05:16 +0000

The same effect can be achieved by using the Histamine in Stinging nettles, I.E. By applying stinging nettle to your body in pleasing patterns.

By: Heynot

Heynot — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:22:28 +0000

Heywood you need to learn some manners. I bet you didn’t even read the article. Inconsiderate snob!

By: Heywood Jablomie

Heywood Jablomie — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:27:06 +0000

Wow, she’s nasty. Buy some hydrocortisone!

By: tony

tony — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:03:02 +0000

i do taekwondo and it sucks getting punch or kicked in the face, i look like pure face after i fight lol.

By: tony

tony — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:59:39 +0000

thats some cool pictures, but i got some better of my body art. a have the same problem i got it when i turn 16 years old and im now 27, so its last me a while that im yous to it. my girl friend is an artist and likes to draw pictures on my back and actually looks cool, like a personal temp. tattoo.

By: paula

paula — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:53:38 +0000

my 2 year old son has just been diagnosed with this condition has any1 got any supporting tips on helpin him become comfortable with his skin rather than embarrassed as he grows up!( i personaly think this ability can be a beautiful gift! pics above are unique and look fab!) just a little concerned about him gettin a complex! xx

By: hjffkhj

hjffkhj — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:25:29 +0000

I think this is what I must have.
My skin’s baffled me for a few years now.
Now I know, but that art thing is a bit odd…

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:08:15 +0000

i acctually have this. since second grade when i got diagnosed with a sicknedd called “slap-cheek” it when you get feverish and your cheeks turn red, ever since i have had people drawing in my skin and slapping me, just to see what showes up, and p.s. it is totally pain-less.

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:55:41 +0000

I’ve got this skin condition too. Been a few years now..it does suck here and there. You can’t go for spas nor receive massages, you just end up scratching yourself. Also called skin writing (google it).

Those who have serious conditions, Anti-histamine pills can help temporarily but they ain’t a long term solution as you must just become very reliant on it. I”ve got tanned skinned though =)

By: andre buxey

andre buxey — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:57:04 +0000

my sister has this disorder and it freaks me out…..

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:05:43 +0000

Wait…mine don’t itch at all though. That’s odd.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:02:16 +0000

Hey! I have it too! I don’t think it’s all that bad. But once you tell people about it they’re always scratching you. I bumped my face against a book corner today… big welt. :p

By: judith

judith — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:56:11 +0000

omg i also have the same condition .. i though it was an alergy but it never went away and now i know what it is thank you

By: Tink

Tink — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:39:31 +0000

I have had this condition for about 30 years. I don’t like it, but it’s a part of me. As I’m a teacher and also a student, I’m used to hearing, “Oh, my God, what happened to your neck?!?” I usually just say that I have really sensitive skin and let it go at that. But it is HIGHLY embarrassing. I also notice that when I’m nervous, excited, or just stressed that it is ten times worse. I was so glad to find this site and am teaching my class about this subject tomorrow at my public speaking class. No stress there But I figure I better just talk about it up front. Should be interesting!

By: also a skin writer

also a skin writer — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:51:16 +0000

I have had this for years, to be turned from doctors with no advise…today I was finally relieved to know what it was, and as I type this am watching as the name rise’s on my arms..hehehee, I am waiting on results of a allergy test as i have just got a puppy, I am not sure if she is irratating my skin as well, as i seem to be so much more sensitive since getting her, anyone else find an animal increased symptoms? I hope not as i love my new dog and do not want to get rid of her.

By: katie b

katie b — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:26:34 +0000

im 15 and ive had dermatographia for almost 4 years. i could only painlessly draw patterns on my skin for the first few months i had it, because after that the welts because so much more painful. im often self conscious about it but those photographs make me feel a little better about it (:

By: dani

dani — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:10:00 +0000

i completely agree with you sean, i really wish i didnt have this, i mean there are a few ups with it making me more sensitive about touching my skin which i guess helps out with acne, but like thats it. its not really anything terrific. when i get scratched my skin looks just like what her picture is and it is so annoying. i’ve had it for a few years now and its not harmful at all, just a pain. its always funny though, when you get scratched and someone else see’s it and is like oh my gosh! what happened! then you have to be like i’m part of 4% of the nation who has a disease. then you explain it in depth. always funny. yeah no fun though.. at all.

By: sean

sean — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:06:36 +0000

i dont no how people can say thay wish thay had the condition. i am 16 years of age and i have had this condition for the past fours years i only found out i had it a couple of weeks ago and i would do anythink to get rid of it i feel like it is talking over life

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:43:58 +0000

I’m 27 years old and I started to develop this a few days ago. I thought I had some new allergic reaction to something and tried searching the internet on what could be causing it. When I saw a picture on wikipedia of someone scratching numbers on their arm, I thought I’d give it a try my running my finger one time on my arm and it turned into some kind of rash in the form of the letter I scratched. I hope this does away because the itching is really bothering me.

By: mel

mel — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:41:07 +0000

I’m 31, have had this for 10 years. My doctor says this is a mild version of an autoimmune disorder called mast cell disease. There are too many mast cells in my body but they are weak. Mast cells are concentrated mostly in the skin, lungs and GI tract. I get my blood/urine tested every 6 months to make sure it doesn’t progress. If you have “skin writing” disease and asthma and sensitive stomach/ulcers you should get a hold of a GOOD doctor and try to understand why your body is making so much histamine. Zyrtec and claritin don’t do too much except make me feel more tired. Blood tests show I’m not allergic to anything but the histamine attacks make me feel like I’m going to have a heart attack. Let me know if anyone else with dermatographia has these other symptoms.

By: Zoe

Zoe — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:01:25 +0000

I’ve had this condition for about the last 3 years, mine burns like hell when i first scratch but its still my party trick!!

By: Arthur

Arthur — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:57:16 +0000

Ha I have this aswell!
It is genetic, i doubt u got it from a swimming pool…
My mates used o draw things like nazi symbols on my forearms infront of my jewish drama teacher.
or make a slit on my wrist…
funnny stuff

By: Irritated1986

Irritated1986 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:33:46 +0000

You guys are all crazy who thinks that this is cool. obviously you don’t understand how irritating it is. how much it can burn or itch and how bad it is to not ba able to go anywhere without looking like a freaking tomato. people always asking “what the hell is on your neck”….. it sucks okay. but all you can do is take tablets…

By: Coco

Coco — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:17:34 +0000

I have the same condition. It’s bothersome most of the time–I can’t get near anything that has a raised or rough surface as it can cause the welts. Sometimes, however, my skin condition amazes me–I also draw and write on my skin like Ariana. It makes for a good conversation piece, too. Hahaha.

By: Nettie

Nettie — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:38:10 +0000

I’ve had this condition for years but my doc said it wasn’t unusual since I have allergies, eczema and asthma. I’ve always just called it ‘skin writing’ since it’s easier to remember!
The best thing about it is you have a pretty cool party trick, plus you can amuse yourself easily if you’ve got time to waste, the worst thing is the accidentally scratching your face and having strangers come up and exclaim ‘Oh my God! What ever has happened to you???’
Antihistamines work well to reduce the effects but they only seem to control it temporarily.

By: LolaRennt

LolaRennt — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:41:42 +0000

I’ve had that condition since I was 12. I’d guess that puberty caused more than just the obvious changes.

I’m almost 35 now so I’m guessing it’s here to stay.

Ariana must have some pretty good self restraint. The light scratches that cause the welting shown would have caused me some considerable itchiness, leading to a long scratchfest.

Glad to learn that this thing has a name and I’m not the only person out there with it…

By: MadDog

MadDog — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:55:43 +0000

Seatown represent!

By: Dani

Dani — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:35:22 +0000

Oh, and interestingly enough. It’s genetic. My 3 children have it, too!

By: Dani

Dani — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:29:45 +0000

I’ve always had this condition.] Very rarely itches, it does get warm where I’ve been scratched. Oh, and that last picture looks neat. I’ll bet it’s when the welt is starting to go back, because all the redness around the swelling goes away well before the welt does. Also, if I touch the welt, it changes color to white momentarily. There’s a name for that, but I can’t remember off hand. It doesn’t worsen the condition to write on my skin and it doesn’t really last that long. Benadryl and Claritin don’t completely prevent the swelling on my skin, but may have reduced the amount of swelling a little. Anyway, it doesn’t interfere in my life and I’ve never thought about taking anything to stop it. And yes, like everyone’s been pointing out, it absolutely does not hurt.

By: Jamison

Jamison — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:53:20 +0000

yeah, I’ve had this skin condition all my life, great to finally know the name of it.

it’s great for keeping your arms warm if you’re stuck out in the cold without a jacket. as far as sex goes, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for me there, unless I’m just really rough with my skin there. shaving anywhere on my body is a bitch though. my face and elsewhere will swell up if I try to get in close, especially with a dull razor. then the itching starts.

By: isa

isa — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:23:41 +0000

fascinating and beautiful.

by the way, ska, no, she does not need to get a tan. fair skin is lovely.