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 7 to 10 percent of all cases of skin rashes and swelling.

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.
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Dermatographia, or 'skin writing' <br />Image credit: R1carver, (2009, November 21).<br />” data-wp-editing=”1″><em>Dermatographia, or ‘skin writing’, is generally considered to be a type of allergic reaction to pressure on the skin. <br>Image credit: R1carver, (2009, November 21).</em></div>
<p>The consensus among medical professionals is that dermatographia is an allergic reaction when specific antibodies (<a href=Share on Pinterest
Moisturizing the skin may help to ease the symptoms of dermatographia, such as itchiness.