Has anybody else been diagnosed with dermographism?
461658
First, it most definitely is NOT a neurotic action, it is one of the physical urticarias (hives due to a physical cause). While it is a chronic condition, it can eventually go into remission. \n\nI developed and was diagnosed with dermographism approx. 20 years ago. I also have chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than 6 weeks - mine have lasted most of my life), and dermographism is often seen with that. The worst of my dermographism settled down 6-8 years ago, but it has never completely gone away. If I am having a bad day with my other health problems, it tends to be more pronounced. But most days I just get a little red from rubbing/scratching, rather than great big welts. \n\nI was part of the largest online support group for hivers for many years, working with thousands of people who have chronic hives, including many with dermographism. I can tell you that many people do go into remission, I've seen it happen many times, and it doesn't have to take years and years. Some go into remission in a few months, some a few years, although some do suffer for several years.... Urticaria is a very individualized disease, and everyone is different. Unfortunately no one can tell you with any certainty when or if your dermographism will go away. But the odds are in your favor....\n\nI have been on most antihistamines that have been on the market, including Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Allegra. Atarax always works great for me, although leaves me sleepy. Allegra is garbage, does not work at all for me. (Same with Claritin.) I have been on antihistamines every day for 20 years, and often prescribed at doses much higher than used to treat allergies - that's normal protocol for treating chronic hives. I have not suffered any ill effects from being on them, other than dry mouth (Biotene makes a lot of great products to help counter that).\n\nOverall antihistamines are safe for the long term, according to all my doctors and the research I've done, since I too had the same concerns at first. My only concern would be taking any newer antihistamines, since there have been problems in the past with some that eventually had to be pulled from the US market - notably Seldane and Hismanil. I prefer to stick with the older antihistamines for that reason....
992515
I had the same condition, and it was treated with Claritin.\n\nI had become just hyper allergic for a period of 4 months, or so, so much that i was actually allergic to my own skin (if one leg touched the other, etc) \nMy MD told me that stress can activate this condition.
826823
Go to a dermatologist.
267756
Yes, I have had it since I was a child and was molested. It can also be associated with obsessive compulsive disorder. There is a webpage that helps and they chat every Fri. Night.\nI am using a skin antibiotic now and colloidal band-aids. It's a very embarrassing thing to have, and you are not alone.
590054
The most likely diagnosis is eczema, which is not allergic in most cases. Heredity plays a role. The dermatologist may prescribe a topical cortisone cream
247153
I have eczema - I went to the general doctor. He told me it was a rash - gave me something that helped a little but didn't get rid of it.\n\nI went to a dermatologist. He prescribed protopic. Cleared it right up. Occasionally it flairs up and I treat it. \n\nCheck with a dermatologist. And remember, no one else notices your condition as much as you do.
314978
It could definitely be hereditary. Sometimes, doctors can perscribe something stronger than the over the counter stuff. You should probably consult a dermotologist.
557158
Here is part of a website answer  you can continue checking\n\nBUMC Proceedings 2000;13:255-259\n\nDermatology at Baylor University Medical Center \n \nM. ALAN MENTER, MD\nFrom the Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.\n\nHistorical articles published in Proceedings, including the history of anesthsiology published last issue) will be reprinted in the centennial history of Baylor University Medical Center, edited by H. Lawrence Wilsey and scheduled for publication in 2002. Readers who have any additional information, artifacts, photographs, or documents related to the historical articles are asked to forward such information to the Proceedings' editorial office for possible inclusion in the book version.\n\nCorresponding author: M. Alan Menter, MD, 3600 Gaston Avenue, 651 Wadley, Dallas, Texas 75246.\n \n\n \n \n  \nHumans seem to have been ready victims of disease--including diseases of the skin--since they emerged from simian darkness >500,000 years ago. Diseases of the skin and other disease forms have remained essentially the same throughout the millennia (1). The skin is the body's largest and most exposed organ. Its diseases, myriad in number and variation, have challenged dermatologists and other physicians for centuries. \nGreek and Roman physicians endeavored to treat patients with skin disorders but with limited success. A Roman gentleman, Celsus, while not a physician, contributed to the understanding of skin disorders through his description and classification. The richness of the details he used is still reflected in our current dermatologic nomenclature (2). \n\nAs scientific advances were made in the late 1700s and 1800s, the causes and treatment of skin disorders became better understood. Lorry published a pioneering treatise on skin diseases in 1777. Jean Louis Alibert (1768-1837) is considered the founder of the discipline, but his system was superseded by that of the Englishman Robert Willan (1757-1812). Ferdinand von Hebra (1816-1880) introduced a pathological approach, and Raymond Sabouraud (1864-1938) and Paul Unna (1850-1929) discussed bacteriology's effects on dermatology (3).
1164188
Yes,it is a skin condition,affecting mainly the palms and soles.\nThe symptoms are:\n1. Thickening of the skin of the palms and soles- this can be generalised,focal or punctate .--that's either the whole palm or sole is thickened,or just specific parts.\n2.Hyperpigmentation of the thickened parts--they get darker and/or redder.\n3.Associated factors differ with the corresponding syndrome.\nTreatment is with a drug called Acitretin.Prognosis is good.
6578
my 3 year old has them I was worried but my side of the family has them and my husbands side bags dark circles after I talked to the doctor and realized that it can be genetic I stopped worring so much. Still 10 was the age that I started having migraines and that was the first sign that showed up.
12168
I am a sufferer also. There are many treatments which you may find helpful. I have lots of resources that would require me to email the pages to you [they're obtained through college databases]. I'd be more than happy to email them to you if you're interested. [archnarkiegirl@yahoo.com]
1118124
I was diagnosed with MS May 4, 2005.  It started in Nov. 2002 with optic neuritis (i didn't know that's what it was at the time).  Then in August 2004 I developed a headache that lasted for about 5 months, followed with dizziness/vertigo.  I had a check-up, an MRI, heart echo, 1,001 blood tests, and finally a spinal tap (LP).  It's funny, I thought by now I would have accepted it, but it is still the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep.  It's a big blow to get a diagnosis like this one.  I was 30 when I was dx'd, like most people.  There's too much to type here.  My e-mail is: multiplesclerosissux@yahoo.com if you wanna talk!  My name is Brian.
776590
No.  My brother had it twice as a toddler & it was spinal meningitis too.  I wasn't very old & don't remember much.  All I know of it is what's been told to me by family members.  He almost died both times he had it.\n\nMy brother had dark circles under his eyes the second time, which the doctor mistook for black eyes & called CPS (Child Protective Services) on my mom.  I vaguely remember this lady coming into our home & looking into the cupboards, the fridge, checking the stove, the washer, the dryer & the backyard.  Case was closed a few days later.  What the dark cirlces were from was a milk allergy.  My brother was allergic to cow's milk & we had to buy Mocha Mix & Carnation evaporated milk for him to drink.  I used to sneak drinks of the Mocha Mix in a small cup when no one was looking.  Now he's not allergic to anything.  Weird is what I say & probably a misdiagnosis.
541880
thanks for offering, hon, but as a sufferer nearly all my life, having been an RN for 17+ years, & having to face manic depression [with panic disorder] & OCD [with dermatillomania] everyday of my life...there are just not hardly any questions for me to answer anymore, but you are doing a very good thing & hat's off to you.\n☼☻☺♫♪♥♀☻☺♫♪♥♀☼☺♫♪♥♀☼☻☺♪♥♀☼☻☺♫♪♥
683335
I had lyme disease, I knew within 2 weeks of being bit that I had it, but went 3 YEARS without a diagnosis because even went I went to the Doctors WITH THE BULLS EYE RASH and symptons everyone insisted it couldn't be lyme because it didn't exist where I am (Illinois) -we all know a deer or rodent wouldn't dare cross a border! I found a lyme literate doctor through the lyme disease network and was on antibiotics for 2 years-I was taking different antibiotics (usually 2 different ones at a time) every few months, one antibiotic will kill off the cystic form of the spirochete while another will kill off once it has emerged.I now have osteoarthritis in my rt knee, neuritis in my right eye, it had affected my nervous system to the point I would forget I had talked to someone within seconds of hanging the phone up had gotten lost in areas I know like the back of my hand, my mood swings were so extreme I was constantly yelling at anyone around me, socially I had no desire what so ever to be around or talk to anyone fatige was extreme. Things are much better now but NEVER should have gottne to the point they were because of Ignorant doctors that insist they know all.
31220
I know what you are going through, I also have that problem.  It's called hyperhidrosis.  I use a roll on liquid that dries your skin out.  Ask a dermitologist what you could do, there are a few different options.
660357
You may have come in contact with something you may be allergic to. It could also be eczema or psoriasis.  It's best to let a professional diagnose you then us.