Hello everyone. Almost three weeks ago, I had a terrible bought of itchiness that lasted about three days. I scratched and noticed when I did, a redness overtook and the scratch marks appeared. After 20 minutes, it was like nothing happened. I changed my soap, lotions, and opted for cotton clothes. The itchiness subsided and I was left with Dermatographia. Any scratch or unintentional brushing with objects and I have red marks. My hands can get dotted with red marks. It’s a nuisance so I booked an appointment with an allergist scheduled for later in July. I also noticed slight swelling on my hands and feet. I went to see both my PCP and a dermatologist. I already knew it was Dermatographia thanks to Google and started taking Claritin. That lasted for two days and I switched to Zyrtec. I’m extremely proactive. My pcp wasn’t concerned. She didn’t even touch me. I made her take my blood to rule out an infection. The dermatologist gave me the scratch test, said it was internal, that I was allergic to something and that the allergist would help me figure it out. I wasn’t concerned, annoyed, yes. Concerned, no. Then I got my bloodwork results. My doctor ordered an ANA which came back positive with a moderate titer of 1:320. It was noted that there was a “fine speckled pattern low prevalence in systematic autoimmune rheumatic disease,” whatever that means. Because the titer was moderate she advised me to see a rheumatologist. I booked an appointment. The earliest one is in October.

Here’s the thing, I feel GREAT physically. I jog 3 miles almost daily. If it wasn’t for the rash, this wouldn’t even have been on my radar.

I had the Pfizer vaccine in 2021, no boosters. Had Covid in April. A stomach bug first weekend in June (my entire household got it) to be followed.by this lingering nuisance which I thought was a nothing could be a something Is Dermatographia autoimmune because I have no other symptoms.

I’m starting a new job soon very soon. Am making sure my appointments are in the afternoons. If Dermatographia is brought on by stress (or emotions as my PCP suggested) then this will be cyclical as this is all a touch stressful.

Any advice/feedback is appreciated.