1. < Autoimmune Diseases

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.

Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Feb 18, 2022
In reply to @rech1 "I have similar urticaria develop 15 days after booster taken on Dec 12. My first 2..." + (show)
@rech1

I have similar urticaria develop 15 days after booster taken on Dec 12. My first 2 shots were Moderna and booster was Pfizer. It has been 2 months and urticaria persists. I have been on Zyrtec everyday and 3 weeks ago added Pepcid. Urticaria still persists. I want to know if there is any case where symptoms of urticaria ever resolved? How long did it take and seems to help?

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@rech1 I’m sorry this continues for you. I included a comment from 1 day ago that you might find helpful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/681936/
Has your doctor given you any further helpful advice?

REPLY
natelias2016 | @natelias2016 | Feb 21, 2022

Eight days after my third moderna vaccine, I developed generalized hives. The itching began on my scalp and progressed to many other parts of my body. Took a six day cycle of prednisone, hives went away but have been dealing with dermatographia since then. I am on week 6 and taking Blexten (antihistamine) daily. I have tried to stop taking the medication but the itching quickly returns. I also get the occasional spasm in my chest which also seems to be associated with this type of reaction. I am getting progressively concerned as these symptoms persist.

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1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @natelias2016 "Eight days after my third moderna vaccine, I developed generalized hives. The itching began on my..." + (show)
@natelias2016

Eight days after my third moderna vaccine, I developed generalized hives. The itching began on my scalp and progressed to many other parts of my body. Took a six day cycle of prednisone, hives went away but have been dealing with dermatographia since then. I am on week 6 and taking Blexten (antihistamine) daily. I have tried to stop taking the medication but the itching quickly returns. I also get the occasional spasm in my chest which also seems to be associated with this type of reaction. I am getting progressively concerned as these symptoms persist.

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I’m so sorry this happened to you @natelias2016 . You do the right thing by getting your vaccines, but then you have a reaction. And, of course you’re concerned—this is all new and no one has answers.
Has your primary care doctor sent you to see a specialist?

REPLY
ayuda | @ayuda | Feb 22, 2022

Same for me as everyone else. 10 days after Moderna booster, I started itching, if I scratched anywhere it would break out in hives and burn horribly. A few days later my throat felt very full. And my period, which normally lasts 3 days, lasted 11. ( A side effect I had from my 2nd dose as well.)

I didn't put any of these things together as 1 problem until today. So I have tried several things.

First, I visited my ob gyn, the itchiness was on my privates as well, so my initial though was yeast infection. With the 3 day weekend I wasn't able to get test results right away so I was prescribed Diflucan as a just-in-case. I have taken 2 does. ( I received my test results earlier today, yeast infection tests came back negative.) I also started working on balancing my stomach, in the past eating more yogurt has helped clear up yeast infections faster.

Second, when my throat began to feel tight I thought I was having some type of acid reflux. I didn't have difficulty breathing but it was painful enough that I couldn't sleep. For two days, I doubled down on apple cider vinegar vitamins and Tums. Today my throat feels totally normal.

The itching started 5 days ago and I am feeling much better now. Not great, mind you, just better. But if I accidentally rub my arms against something, I don't immediately break out into painful hives. I don't know if the Diflucan helped, or the vitamins and Tums. But I feel significantly better than I did last week.

There is a lot of information out there about imbalances in the gut and dermatographia. I am going to continue to try working on that before I trying steroids and other prescriptions as it seems they haven't done much to help. A ton of people developed dermatographia after a round of antibiotics, lending more credibility to the balance of the gut.

REPLY
1 reply
ayuda | @ayuda | Feb 22, 2022
In reply to @ayuda "Same for me as everyone else. 10 days after Moderna booster, I started itching, if I..." + (show)
@ayuda

Same for me as everyone else. 10 days after Moderna booster, I started itching, if I scratched anywhere it would break out in hives and burn horribly. A few days later my throat felt very full. And my period, which normally lasts 3 days, lasted 11. ( A side effect I had from my 2nd dose as well.)

I didn't put any of these things together as 1 problem until today. So I have tried several things.

First, I visited my ob gyn, the itchiness was on my privates as well, so my initial though was yeast infection. With the 3 day weekend I wasn't able to get test results right away so I was prescribed Diflucan as a just-in-case. I have taken 2 does. ( I received my test results earlier today, yeast infection tests came back negative.) I also started working on balancing my stomach, in the past eating more yogurt has helped clear up yeast infections faster.

Second, when my throat began to feel tight I thought I was having some type of acid reflux. I didn't have difficulty breathing but it was painful enough that I couldn't sleep. For two days, I doubled down on apple cider vinegar vitamins and Tums. Today my throat feels totally normal.

The itching started 5 days ago and I am feeling much better now. Not great, mind you, just better. But if I accidentally rub my arms against something, I don't immediately break out into painful hives. I don't know if the Diflucan helped, or the vitamins and Tums. But I feel significantly better than I did last week.

There is a lot of information out there about imbalances in the gut and dermatographia. I am going to continue to try working on that before I trying steroids and other prescriptions as it seems they haven't done much to help. A ton of people developed dermatographia after a round of antibiotics, lending more credibility to the balance of the gut.

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I forgot to mention, I have also been using an Eczema relief lotion, and taking oatmeal baths. When the hives have been really bad, I use Benadryl cream. I haven't had to use it yet today.

REPLY
maddymay22 | @maddymay22 | Feb 26, 2022

I am dealing with the same thing and it seems to get worse in the evening. Started two weeks after the moderna booster and has been going on for 2 weeks with minor improvement. Started on my neck and chest now also arms, back and legs. I want to jump out of my skin some days. The doctor prescribed Prednisone for 6 days and antihistamines. The only thing that actually helps with the swelling from the itching is Fenistil Gel. Makes the redness and itching go away very quickly. Also taking baking soda baths really calms the skin. Anyone get over this post booster rash?

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riana777 | @riana777 | Mar 1, 2022

I have the same exact thing after my MODERNA booster. This first started in December for me and I have had terrible itches ever since then. If I lightly scratch myself it welts up. I also had horrible chest pain/heartburn/indigestion at first but that has stopped thankfully. How are you doing now??? I am curious how other's symptoms are after a few months. Mine are just the same itch wise, but I am on antihistamines which helps a lot. I cannot find much information about this either and felt very alone, so I am so grateful you started this thread!!!

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riana777 | @riana777 | Mar 2, 2022
In reply to @coachandres "I had a similar reaction. 10 days after the Moderna booster I started with itchiness around..." + (show)
@coachandres

I had a similar reaction. 10 days after the Moderna booster I started with itchiness around my neck and scalp. Then hives all over my body (very itchy ). That night I felt tightness in my throat and even had reflux symptoms. Esophagus tightness and some coughing that would come and go but very intense at times. Got tested for Covid , it came negative. Drs sent me prednisone for a week and an antihistamine. The prednisone helped with the esophagus and reflux issue but the hives kep coming and going. got tested for allergies and no allergies were found. It has been amore than a month and I can not pass 2 days without taking the antihistamine because I start getting hives all over. I never had any hives before and I am starting to read that many people have been getting them after the moderna shots.

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same exact thing happened to me! How are you feeling now? Mine has not gotten any better unfortunately.

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riana777 | @riana777 | Mar 2, 2022
In reply to @ashley6000 "Hi everyone, I feel so lucky to have found this thread. I'm sorry to everyone going..." + (show)
@ashley6000

Hi everyone, I feel so lucky to have found this thread. I'm sorry to everyone going through this! The itchiness started in my scalp on Dec 3rd, 11 days after I received the Moderna booster. Followed by hives on my eyes, red/hot ears and dermatographia. I went to urgent care and got steroids and Hydroxyzine. That day a pink circle formed around my eye and my entire chest, it was scary. I started feeling intense chest pain (unlike many of you, my throat wasn't closing) that would wake me up. One night it was so bad I went to the ER and was told I likely had acid reflux. I was later told by my primary care doctor that it's possible this is an immune reaction to the booster shot, he said the chest pain could potentially be lung spasms, so he gave me an Albuterol inhaler. He started me on a Zyrtec/Allegra/Pepcid combo. The chest pain became much less severe and went away after a week and a half. I ended up getting Covid and only having cold-like symptoms with no new allergic reactions. The itchiness and dermatographia continues... the itchiness is the hardest part. Looking forward to keeping up with everyone here.

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The EXACT symptoms happened to me. The chest pain really got my attention and I thought I was having a heart attack. How are your symptoms now?? My dermatographia is still pretty much the exact same and not much better but my chest is better thank goodness. Hope you are doing well <3

REPLY
lo1 | @lo1 | Mar 6, 2022

I too have been dealing with CIU and dermatogrphia post moderna booster. My flair up started a week after the booster and when the hives finally went away the detmatograohia started. When the hives started I also noticed tightness of breath and also noticed joint pain. I went to the ER and was given prednisone. Following, my allergist had me take zyrtec for a month (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) this slightly helped but I am still dealing with dermatograohia. Luckily it doesn’t itch, it is just bothersome appearance wise. I started xolair injections on Friday and will keep you posted with how it works for me.

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