Dermatographia is a skin condition that causes individuals to develop raised welts after their skin is scratched. The popular name for the condition is skin writing due to the pronounced reaction.
Although skin writing may sound exotic, dermatographia is a common condition, affecting 2 to 5 percent of the population. It is considered one of the more prevalent forms of hives and accounts for
With simple dermographism people develop welts after rubbing their skin, any brief contact with it, or scratching, but the resulting hives do not itch.
Fast facts on dermatographia:
- The condition is commonly referred to as skin writing.
- Episodes of dermatographia usually come and go quickly.
- In people with this condition, rubbing or scratching the skin with a finger causes welts that resemble writing.
- Dermatographia hives frequently appear on the scalp, in the genital area, and on the soles of the feet.
