Hello everyone!
I figured that this would be the most appropriate place to post about dermatographism, so here goes!
I was diagnosed at the age of 9 (I am now 19); my doc said that an ear infection - which I have had *plenty* of - triggered it. I have been on several different meds for it, including hydroxyzine, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl, Tagamet, and others. Nothing ever did any good at all!! It really bites because I itch ALL THE TIME, all over my body! Of course, the slightest scratch and I puff up and turn red, so I have to be really careful about not scratching. Just opening my mouth wide enough to eat a hamburger or such makes my whole lower face get all swelled and red. :(
Does anyone know of anything I can try? Any new meds or supplements? I'll try just about anything, no matter how crazy - I want to be rid of this stuff!!!!!! Oh, I had a friend that had it too and she took two different meds (I'm assuming anti-histamines) with an acid reducer - Pepcid, I think. She let me try it for a few days and it realy worked pretty well. However, she moved recently and I've lost contact with her; I've tried to ask my doc about it and he says that he's never heard such "total garbage" :( Does anyone know what the combo might be? Any help whatsoever would be greatly, greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Amanda

Hi Brian!

Well, I did some reading last night, and I have found something that I'm gonna try. I found an article that said that hydroxyzine - which I'm taking now - is the best med for dermatographism, though it hasn't helped me any! It also said that a lot of people who don't respond to the hydroxyzine seem to respond when they take an acid reducer, such as pepcid or tagamet, with the hydrox. I'm going to try it out, and I'll keep you posted on how it works.
Wishing I wasn't itching,
Amanda

Hey Brian!
I was taking hydroxyzine hydrochloride (generic form of Atarax, Rezine, Vistaril) 10mg 3 times a day. It made me reeeeally sleepy when I first started taking it, but after a while it didn't make me very sleepy any more. I switched to taking over-the-counter diphenhydramine hydrochloride (generic version of Benadryl, Dramamine, etc.) because I can get it over-the-counter, and it doesn't seem to make me as sleepy. Also, I'm taking it with generic Pepcid (I think the ranitidine is the same thing as Zantac). I decided to use over-the-counter products because they are the same thing at a much cheaper price! :) You shouldn't have any problems with the Claritin making you sleepy though - I found that when I took it, it "speeded me up" a bit! Oh, are you in the US? If you are in Canada, the UK, etc., some of the brand names will be different, of course. I hope the meds work for you, Brian - keep us posted!
Amanda :)

Hey Brian!
It's great that the meds seem to be working for you!
I know how you feel about the costs - I was on Claritin at one point also! You might want to ask about getting on hydroxyzine, which is much cheaper, or even see about taking an OTC like Benadryl.
I'm really happy for you!!
Keep in touch!
Amanda :)

Hey Amanda,
Yah the cost is alot but i will only take the meds every second day unless i find out they are totaly safe to take each day but even then the cost its usually, unless they are on sale, more for than $1 for 1 pill so it racks up. Do u have to take Hydroxyzine 3 times a day? i only have to take the CLaritin once a day. well ill talk to u later
Best Wishes,
Brian

I had a similar problem (only lasted 2 weeks) and was seeing an ALLERGIST at the time so of course consulted him about it. He recommended the Pepcid and Hydroxyzine together and it was effective in reducing the symptoms gradually, but it did help a great deal.
IMHO, an allergist is best suited to treat this kind of problem. Hope this helps. :-)