New Dermatographia: What is helping you?

This is happening to me as well. Got the booster the 23rd. Noticed my scalp itching first on 1/3. Ok so there’s a bunch of us and not a lot of answers. Is there a specialist who can help us? I’m miserable and from the sound of it, we may be stuck in this situation for a while. I need to know when this itching will go away. Will it get worse? It seems to be the same. Not better. Not worse. Always worse at night. Will it ever end?

Good evening @staceyfred, welcome to Connect. I would like to be helpful about your itching. I have been dealing with "the itch" for quite a while. I don't quite know where to start or if I have enough information from you.

You indicate that your scalp itching began on 1/3/2022. Is that right? Are you relating the onset to the booster you had on 12/23/2021? Is that the correct date? My dermatologist has been working on "the itch" for a couple of years. She gave me Fluocinonide.....and a protocol for using it to keep the scalp itch under control. It works.

Where else on your body do you have the "itch"? Have you had tape testing or any other kind of process to determine the cause? Regardless, I have finally found a solution that works for me. Once again, my dermatologist has introduced me to a new product called Dermeleve......a non-steroid ointment that you simply rub on the itching area. It is available online at dermeleve.com. If you enter "dermeleve" in the Search block at the top of this page...it will take you to my introduction of this product. It takes effect within minutes and lasts about six hours. Literally, it has saved me from insanity.

I know too well how much you would like to be free of the "itch". And no....it doesn't have to get worse.

Are you doing a lot of scratching in your sleep?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Thank you for your insight Chris! I first noticed the itching on the 11th day after my booster (moderna). First on my scalp and then it was all over my body. Random spots at random times. Worse at night of course. No rash but hives where I would itch. Urgent care didn’t help and only suggested Benadryl and Zyrtec. The booster wasn’t even on my radar so I didn’t connect the dots until someone told me they knew someone else with the same reaction. Low and behold, here I (we) are.

It’s helpful to know others have the same issue as well. I just wish someone was better at helping us but of course this vaccine is new and we don’t know enough about it.

Hello, fellow sufferers!

My reaction started November 14th, 9 days after my booster. I’ve had a lot of the same symptoms as everyone else here, but with the added bonus of 2-3 hours of chest pain when my flare-ups would get really bad, like days when I am not able to get away from friction causing activities or clothing.

After a 12 day course of prednisone and insomnia for days on end, I’m now taking Pepcid twice a day and Zyrtec once a day. This regiment is helping, but I still have slight flare-ups. I accidentally skipped a day of Zyrtec a week ago and it came back full force that night and I’m definitely not doing that again. So, I’m coming up on 2 months now and do hope it won’t last too much longer. I wish everyone symptom free days soon!

I am an allergist, and we have seen a large number of people with dermatographia that develops 1 - 2 weeks after the COVID booster, usually Moderna. It has generally been short lived, with marked improvement within 4-6 weeks and resolution within 2-3 months. Antihistamines are the best treatment, though it often takes 3-4 times normal daily dosing of second generation antihistamines. I recommend seeing an allergist if the dermatographia is not easily controlled.

Thank you so much for the reassurance. It definitely helps to have as many medical professionals weigh in. What exactly is it? Are we allergic to a specific ingredient? Is it our immune system’s response to the mRNA? Will we be ok with other vaccines?

Identical timeline to others. Got moderna 12/10. Hives began 12/23. Was diagnosed with dermagraphia . Went on cycle of prednisone had some relief but it’s returned. I’m on week 4. Tested negative for major allergens. I’m currently on claritan, Benadryl and prescription cream. There’s a Facebook private group if you search Chronic Uticara after Covid vaccine. I think it’s up to 2,000 members.

I am so thankful I found this post. I have been dealing with hives and dermatographia since November 4, 2021. I’ve been to the ER, ENT, Dermatologist, and have an Allergist appointment in 2 days.

Had Moderna dose #1 Feb. 12, dose #2 March 12 and Moderna booster Oct. 25th. I only had a sore arm, headache and fatigue from my two doses. I did not connect my current skin symptoms to the booster dose.

I also have developed extremely itchy skin, hives, dermatographia and reddened facial skin. I am taking up to 4 Allegra per day to combat the skin issues. My GERD/Acid Reflux has also returned. I’m back on protonix for those symptoms. This would be close to the esophagus issues others are having? I do not suffer from constipation like others have mentioned.

I have an additional symptom no one has mentioned, extreme histamine released from scratching the skin. For the month of November, the more I scratched my skin, the more congested I became! I would then suffer from extreme post nasal drip coughing for up to two hours after scratching. I moved nightly onto the couch to not awaken others. The coughing was terrible.

I took the time to scribe my skin issues and plan to share the document with my PCP, the Allergist, and any other medical professional who would like to discuss this new skin condition with me.

I wish the rest of you suffering the best! Hopefully this will be through my system sooner than later.

Hello from one of your "peeps". Welcome to Connect. I am also very glad you found the open door that can introduce you to folks who have walked in your shoes and ventured down the path you are seeking to help you eliminate the issues of Dermatolographia and itching that are concerning you.

Using the Mayo Clinic site for help, I found this "if the condition is severe or bothersome, you may get help from antihistamine medications such as Benadryl, Allegra or Zyrtec." Have you found any of these OTC medications helpful? How about Allegra? I take one a day for my "neuropathic itch" and you are taking four. That sure seems like a lot. I have also used Benedryl and Zyrtec at the beginning of my skin problems that can include heavy itching and scratching.

I will be anxious to hear about your visit to the Allergist. Will you please share the outcome with me? Last month my dermatologist brought back a new anti-itch specimen sample from a conference she attended. It is called Dermeleve. You can simply use it topically and for me, it works within 15 minutes and lasts for approximately six hours.

Do you think something like Dermeleve would be helpful? You can go to dermeleve.com or place "Dermeleve" in
the search box at the top of this page. That will take you to my introduction of the medication and @johnbishop's additional post in Skin Health with all of the identifying information.

What can keep you from two hours of coughing? An inhaler?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

When did your throat tightness stop? I am on Claritin once daily and Hydroxyzine at night and notice the tightness is more prevalent when I don’t take the Hydroxyzine.