[QUOTE=jessica805;2537001]Anyway, it would really help if anyone of you would write back with your experience with dermagraphism.. and what you did about it. Thank you.

Per DermNet NZ: "Dermographism is an exaggerated wealing tendency when the skin is stroked. It is the commonest form of physical urticaria.

In 25-50% of normal people firm stroking of the skin produces first a white line, then a red line, then slight swelling down the line of the stroke, and a mild red flare in the surrounding skin. In 5% of the population this response is exaggerated enough to be called dermographism. In only a minority of these does it cause any symptoms."

I'm one of the 5% of the population who gets just such a reaction. My surgeon found the ability to write on my skin to be amusing (since he'd never seen it before) but, to me, it is just another example of a hyperactive immune system...and can be very annoying at times.

I take Zyrtec - 1 tablet a day, Hydroxyzine - 1 tsp. at night, and 1 Pepcid AC to cope with the symptoms. Some days are a lot better than others.

Best wishes to you!

Sorry to hear so many of you are going through this torment! I remember being covered with itchy red marks and tearing my skin open from scratching so much. This was right after having abdominal surgery and itching was the last thing I needed.

While waiting to see an allergist, I used Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Aveeno anti-itch cream. Both of these are available over the counter.

The only thing that really helped was (and this sounds discouraging to anyone enduring this problem) seeing an allergist for stronger prescription medicine. Even that didn't eliminate the problem right away since I wasn't allergic to specific things so much as I had a hyper-active immune system.

Once the prescribed combination of Allegra, hydroxyzine, and Pepcid-AC had a chance to work, it settled my system down. I now just take the Allegra and the problem only flares-up once in a while, but is usually quiet throughout the day - unless I'm really stressed.

Do an Internet search on "autoimmune dermographism" and you may recognize your own symptoms. I sure hope you can see a doctor very soon to get some relief. This is so rough on the skin.