Dermatographia?

In the world of mysterious skin conditions we haven’t yet understood, Dermatographic urticaria is one of the most visible (pun intended) conditions we are yet to solve.

Let’s break down what we do know, starting with the name. Although it is known by a number of names, including dermatographia, dermographism, dermatographism, and “skin writing”, it typically stems from a blend of the Greek “dérma” for skin and “grafí” for writing. And that basically sums up what it is.

It isn’t known to cause any serious medical problems, and typically the only effect the condition has is causing a warm red wheal to appear on the skin. In normal cases, this will typically fade away in 15-30 minutes, and in some more extreme cases, this may last a few hours to a few days. There are some treatments can be used to help alleviate symptoms, but no cure has been discovered yet.

Instead, there are a few alternative treatments that have been advocated, including:

• Moisturizing skin with natural products, such as coconut oil or shea butter.
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Getting enough sleep and nurturing the body and mind.
• Following a healthy diet, which is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in high fats and processed foods.