New Dermatographia: What is helping you?

Posted by jackographia @jackographia, Nov 28, 2021

If you don't know what dermatographia is, please feel free to read and participate, but this discussion is aimed at people who currently suffer from this illness. I have questions that I don't think anyone without the condition can answer. The onset of my symptoms began about a week after receiving the Moderna covid booster shot. (My 3rd covid shot) Which may or may not be a factor. My symptoms began with full body itching, where any scratching would lead to very easy skin reddening. I went into an urgent care soon after and was prescribed steroids (prednisone) and antihistamines. While these work to lessen the itch GREATLY, my skin still reacts to even slight scratches or pressure with easy redness. My condition is largely self-diagnosed, but my primary care physician agrees with it.

There is so little relative information about dealing with this illness that I feel like I need to reach out here to ask. If you have/had this condition:

1. Did you (like I am) develop a tightness in your esophagus? or any bowel issues?
2. Does your face get flushed, fully red and feel warm?
3. Do you know of any support groups that I can reach out to for information and solidarity?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@artscaping

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

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Thank you for sharing. I have to be very careful with all medications. I have eye issues and have to avoid steroids and antihistamines. I have been working with my ophthalmologist during this "event". She has approved Allerga. I guess this is a positive note, I do not have a high level of itchiness anymore. I react to the heat and redness from simple pressure on my skin. If it does become unbearable, I will try the Dermeleve. The cough is caused by mucus. I have to cough to get it out. Haha. It could be my environmental allergies and not related to this issue? I will share my results from the Allergist appointment. I hope he has an open mind!

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@bhsloane

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.

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I have to say it did not stop yet, it happens way less. Maybe only 1-2 times a day. I am at Day 73 of "this" and noticed a decrease around Day 60. I also noticed foods with preservatives bring this on more. I had a pack of cheese-filled Ritz crackers and almost had an instant throat tickle. I never checked the ingredients. Something I need to look into. I have to be very careful with medications due to some eye issues. Gosh. I hope the Allergist has some more information at the appointment. I will share any news I gain from the appointment.

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I've been dealing with the same thing! I got my moderna booster on Dec 30 and my scalp/neck started itching on Jan 9. Then some hives started appearing on different parts of my upper body. I started taking antihistamines (reactine) and it's really helping, but my skin is still super sensitive and red marks appear with the smallest scratch. No throat or digestive issues though.
With antihistamines it's manageable but I worry it will last a long time.
I have not seen a doctor because from what I read online there's not a lot that can be done.
Has it been getting better for any of you?

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In 1988 I developed hives,9 months of nutso itching. My reg Doc thought it was in my head, the allergist thought it was scabies, the dermatologist thought my skin just needed salve! Then...I went to U of M of Michigan! I had a tumor...it was Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Finally a diagnosis! Chemo started! Wonderful chemo, it STOPPED the 9 months of itching!. Thank you God!

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A friend sent me this thread and I’ve read all the stories and realize that I also am dealing with some sort of side effect of the covid vaccine.
Quick background, my booster shot was given 10/28 and an allergic reaction was noticed in 11/8, I attributed it to a recent new med astorivastatin.
My allergic reaction was mostly centered around my head and neck but my first notice was in my feet. No real appearance of welts on my skin but it would quickly inflame I began scratching.
I visited my allergist and he said that my “mast cells” were over excited and prescribed Allegra or fexafenadine to help control the issue, it has helped and the itching has subsided.
However, similar to others I’m also having gastro related issues, mainly a choking sensation, like a pill is stuck, and intestinal issues, bloating, soreness and a lot of gas/burping.
I visited my gastro as I do have a history of gerd, no other diagnosis, maintained by famotidine daily. She prescribed an antispasmodic Hyoscyamine which my urinary tract didn’t deal with well. She then change it to Amitriptyline, I’m not currently seeing any relief from the abdominal issues, still battling. Smaller meals do seem to help and avoiding gaseous foods also helps.

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@marie28

I've been dealing with the same thing! I got my moderna booster on Dec 30 and my scalp/neck started itching on Jan 9. Then some hives started appearing on different parts of my upper body. I started taking antihistamines (reactine) and it's really helping, but my skin is still super sensitive and red marks appear with the smallest scratch. No throat or digestive issues though.
With antihistamines it's manageable but I worry it will last a long time.
I have not seen a doctor because from what I read online there's not a lot that can be done.
Has it been getting better for any of you?

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There is a Facebook group on this chronic spontaneous urticaria

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@stevematrix

The exactly same thing happened to me, just as you described, a week after my Moderna booster, I am currently taking 3 different antihistamines and I am on my 7 day of Prednisone, these help with the itching but I cannot scratch my skin, even slight pressure will make it red. My doctor wants me to see and allergist but I feel like I need to see and dermatology first. I will keep you posted. Best regards

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I’m dealing with the same. Just under two weeks after the Moderna booster, developed dermatographic urticaria and angioedema. Prednisone taken for 5 day. Rashes persist two weeks later, with flares regularly occurring throughout each day. Physical touch and heat are common triggers; although it can come on seemingly without either stimulus. Nearly two weeks have passed from finishing Prednisone, yet symptoms persist. Good luck to you and everyone going through something similar.

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@allergydoc

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.

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Thanks for the verification, Doc! There's a whole Facebook group of several thousand people who are all talking about this. It's the "Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria After COVID-19 Vaccine Support Group," if you're interested.

I'd never had any significant allergies in adulthood. The first two Moderna vaccine doses only resulted in headaches and the mild "Covid arm" reaction. But two weeks after the booster, I started getting very itchy and experienced dermatographia. It began December 14th and I still have it as of this writing (1/19/22). Mostly annoying so far.

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I also had same exact reaction. 11 days after booster of Moderna. Broke out in hives, now chronic uticartia and Dermatographia for over 3.5 months. Joined a Fb group with over 3000 members experiencing same exact reactions from Moderna (and a few from other boosters) booster. Not sure if it is a Mast Cell / immune response? PEG allergy? What is going on with this.? We need some real guidance from Allergy & Immunology because we are growing in numbers by the thousands weekly now. Please offer some advice to all.

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@hellopeeps

I have to say it did not stop yet, it happens way less. Maybe only 1-2 times a day. I am at Day 73 of "this" and noticed a decrease around Day 60. I also noticed foods with preservatives bring this on more. I had a pack of cheese-filled Ritz crackers and almost had an instant throat tickle. I never checked the ingredients. Something I need to look into. I have to be very careful with medications due to some eye issues. Gosh. I hope the Allergist has some more information at the appointment. I will share any news I gain from the appointment.

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Good afternoon @hellopeeps, I have been following your posts and have learned a little more about some symptoms that sounded familiar to me. I want to introduce you to @rwinney. It appears that you have quite a number of issues and from your last post and this one I see that you are dealing with eye issues. Rachel has had eye issues as well as many other sources of pain and discomfort. She has learned how to deal with many of them and that includes reducing the time she can spend on Connect. So I hope she might be available to say hello.

When is your Allergist appointment? I am waiting to hear if you would please share.

May you have contentment and ease.
Chris

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