Dermographic urticaria, its types, symptoms and treatment methods.

Exposure to mechanical factors: scratched insect bites, compressive clothing, temperature changes, may cause demographic urticaria. This type of urticaria is classified as a skin type disease in which a rash in the form of blisters forms on the surface of the dermis. According to statistics medical institutions, the disease manifests itself at least once in life in 5% of the population of our planet. Demographic urticaria is considered an allergic disease, which we will discuss in more detail below.

The information collected in the article will allow you to distinguish the signs of demographic urticaria from other skin diseases, as well as prevent its occurrence.

In the article you will find useful information in the following sections:

• Demographic urticaria
• Demographic urticaria, causes
• Demographic urticaria, symptoms
• Demographic urticaria, treatment
• Demographic urticaria, photo

Features of the disease

The body's response to skin irritation causes demographic urticaria.

This type of disease cannot be transmitted through contact to other people.

The skin's reaction to mechanical influence is manifested by a rash and blisters at the site of irritation. The resulting rash and blisters exactly follow the line of influence on the surface of the skin.

Several forms of the disease have been identified clinically:

• dermographism white;
• red dermographism;
• follicular dermographism;
• dermographism cold - dependent.

There are two types of primary manifestations of the disease:

• allergic – the most common, caused by the body’s response to a certain type of allergen;
• idiopathic – associated with human somatic diseases.

The disease may appear periodically. Deterioration of health due to the onset of symptoms was extremely rare.

Sometimes patients experienced headaches and chills.

With correctly prescribed treatment and following all the doctor’s recommendations, damaged areas of the skin are quickly restored.

Symptoms

Demographic urticaria is characterized by:

• itching, worse at night;
• burning, pain and swelling of the pathological area;
• the presence of scars in the form of straight lines of a light shade, which are surrounded by areas of color ranging from pale red to burgundy;
• deterioration in general health;
• in some cases, increased body temperature;
• worsening of symptoms due to exposure to high temperatures (taking a hot bath, visiting a sauna).

Demographic urticaria rarely occurs over large areas of the skin surface. It also practically never appears on the surface of the head and genitals.

Under the influence of objects, quickly disappearing stripes of white color appear on the skin of a healthy person. In a demographic patient with urticaria, such provocation results in an inflamed red scar with a white central part. Symptoms of the pathology appear within a few minutes after the influence of the irritating factor.

Important! Demographic urticaria in a mild form can pass without characteristic signs and subside within a couple of days. The duration of the disease in severe form can range from several months to several years.

What it is

Demographic urticaria, also known as “mechanical”, is one of the most common pathologies of the skin.

As medical statistics show, up to 60% of the planet's inhabitants are affected by this disease, i.e. approximately every ninth case of urticaria is of the mechanical type.

The main manifestations of this disease appear from exposure to a number of physical factors on the skin surface:

• friction or prolonged pressure from objects;
• effects of heat;
• cold;
• direct sunlight;
• water.

A characteristic manifestation of this disease is rashes, redness and scars clearly limited to the point of contact.

They do not cause severe anxiety or inconvenience for most patients. Symptoms go away quickly enough if the cause of the disease is eliminated.

This type of allergy is not life-threatening.

What is dermographic urticaria?

Dermographic urticaria or urticarial dermographism is a disease in which the skin reacts negatively to the influence of external irritants.

Statistics say that this is the most common form of urticaria. It occurs even more often as an allergic one. The problem affects approximately 5% of the world's inhabitants, but a small number of patients consult a doctor. This is associated with mild symptoms, so a person may not even notice the development of the disease.

What contributes to the development of pathology has not yet been clarified. The main assumption at the moment is the assumption of the genetic nature of urticaria with an autosomal dominant mechanism of inheritance.

Reasons for appearance

The main reasons for the appearance of demographic urticaria is the body’s response to prolonged physical influence or stress on the surface of the skin.

Physical influences that cause skin irritation include strong friction and pressure.

The causes of the disease are considered to be:

• genetic predisposition;
• high sensitivity of the skin;
• depressed state of the body's immunity;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• parasitic infestations;
• a number of recent diseases;
• as a side effect of taking medications;
• stressful condition.

Regardless of the cause of demographic urticaria that caused this disease, redness, swelling and scars appear on the skin.

What causes the disease

The main reason for the appearance of dermographism in urticaria is the release of a large amount of histamine into the blood, a biologically active substance that causes allergies. The stimulating factor is a mechanical effect (pressure, vibration, shock) on mast cells located in the subcutaneous layer, in which histamine is produced. As a result, the permeability of the vessel walls increases, blood stagnates in the capillaries and edema occurs.

After numerous studies, it has been established that most often cases of urticarial dermographism occur in people with a history of the following factors:

• presence of a predisposition to allergies in parents or other relatives;
• past viral diseases;
• post-stress state;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• HIV;
• malignant tumors;
• poisoning with salts of heavy metals, ethanol and other chemicals.

Dermatographic urticaria can be idiopathic in nature and result from self-hypnosis or excessive emotionality of the patient.

With autographism, redness, swelling and blisters may appear in the following cases:

• when slapping or hitting the skin with a hand, cloth or other object;
• when pressed by the straps of bags, backpacks, watch bracelets, belts, belts, elastic bands of stockings and socks, etc.;
• when rubbing against the body of clothing (especially rough seams);
• when washing with a hard washcloth or brush;
• when scratching the site of an insect bite;
• after cycling (on the inner thighs);
• when sitting for a long time on a hard chair (on the buttocks);
• after a long walk (on the feet).

Sometimes dermatographic urticaria is a consequence of severe autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis and others. To identify this and begin treatment on time, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or allergist when the first signs of the disease appear.

Factors influencing the occurrence of the disease

The cause of this disease can be any long and strong mechanical irritation.

Among the main factors in the manifestation of the disease may be:

• rough and tight-fitting elements of clothing or underwear (for example, seams);
• straps from carrying a bag (case) for a long time;
• prolonged rubbing of the body, for example, rubbing with a washcloth, towel, or hand massage;
• scratching the surface of the skin as a result of irritation from clothing, sweat, sunlight, or insect bites.

The first signs of demographic urticaria appear when a rash accompanied by itching appears at the site of contact between the skin and the irritant.

Symptoms

Any mechanical irritation causes instant production of histamine in the epidermis.

The first symptoms of demographic urticaria can appear on any area of ​​the skin that experiences scratching or pressure.

A symptom is a sign of the manifestation of a disease that distinguishes a sick person from a healthy person, revealed by clinical examination techniques.

You can recognize demographic urticaria by its first and main symptoms:

• instant redness;
• rash.

The rash appears as elongated blisters. Typically, the first rashes form on the skin in the direction of the irritation and always have a linear shape.

Depending on the speed at which the first signs of the disease appear, two types of mechanical allergies are distinguished:

• immediate – the first signs appear immediately after affecting the skin;
• delayed - symptoms occur after prolonged skin irritation only a few hours after the start of exposure.

Symptoms may intensify if the disease is accompanied by psycho-emotional stress. Treatment in such a situation can last a long time.

Read whether urticaria is contagious or not. What is acute urticaria? Click to find out.

Classification of dermatographic urticaria

In dermatology, there are several classification systems for mechanical urticaria based on various characteristics.

Based on the speed of reaction to a stimulus, the following types are distinguished:

• instant. Symptoms of the disease appear within 3-5 minutes and persist for half an hour;
• average. The appearance of blisters and swollen stripes is observed after 30-60 minutes and continues for 4-10 hours;
• long-term Signs of urticaria may appear only after 5-7 hours and last for several days.

The last type of disease is considered the rarest.

Depending on the clinical manifestations, dermatographic urticaria is:

• white. After pressing on the skin, a spasm and narrowing of the capillaries occurs, resulting in the formation of a white mark protruding 2-3 mm above the surface. Disappears after 3-5 minutes;
• red. When a blunt object is passed over the body, a slap, or a blow, a red mark is left that lasts up to several hours;
• swollen or elevated. After mechanical impact, the skin turns red and then swells with white, voluminous blisters, which may not go away for up to 2 days.

In addition, a distinction is made between local dermographism, in which swollen stripes and a rash appear directly at the site of pressure or impact, and reflex, when symptoms also affect nearby areas of the skin.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics is the identification of symptoms of a disease in order to correctly diagnose and prescribe subsequent treatment.

A general practitioner, as well as an allergist - immunologist, and dermatologist can diagnose demographic urticaria.

A doctor can easily make a diagnosis based on the first manifestations of the disease.

Each doctor finds out when and how the first signs of the disease appeared, how often it manifests itself, and also clarifies:

• the patient’s working conditions, or more precisely, whether there is contact with substances that provoked the disease;
• consumption of unusual foods;
• recent illnesses and types of medications taken.

In order to correctly prescribe treatment for urticaria, it is necessary to accurately determine its type and identify the cause of its appearance.

In order to identify exactly the type of allergen that caused the disease, the patient is prescribed additional examinations.

Photo: Test for reaction to mechanical irritations

When a diagnosis is made,:

• visual inspection. During a visual examination, the doctor examines the surface of the skin to rule out other types of skin diseases. The size of the lymph nodes is noted in order to exclude chronic causes of the disease.
• laboratory examination. Their appointment is necessary to determine the cause or allergen that caused the disease.

1. a general blood test is being studied;
2. urine analysis is examined;
3. stool is examined;
4. ESR is determined;
5. a biopsy of the skin surface is prescribed;
6. Liver tests are performed.

• skin tests. They are carried out to accurately identify the type of demographic urticaria by influencing the skin surface with different types of irritants:

1. Using a blunt object and applying slight pressure, a strip is drawn across the skin. The dosage of pressure is determined by a dermographometer. The doctor monitors the skin reaction over time;
2. to detect urticaria from pressure, a load weighing 7 kg is suspended on the thigh (shoulder) for 20 minutes;
3. to detect diseases from sunlight, ultraviolet radiation with different wavelengths is used;
4. when diagnosing a thermal type of disease, a warm object (45-48C) is applied for 5 minutes;
5. using ice cubes and cold water as skin irritants. This test is carried out for about 5 minutes to achieve visible skin irritation;
6. Diagnosis of the contact form of urticaria is carried out using application tests. The result of such a test can be seen within 30 minutes.

A patient with a demographic form of urticaria can be referred for consultation to specialists.

They may suggest that you undergo examination by:

• gastroenterologist , in order to exclude gastritis.
• parasitologist It is necessary to undergo examination in order to exclude infection with internal parasites.
• endocrinologist. It is necessary to check the level of thyroid hormones and blood sugar.
• immunologist. The state of the body's immune defense should be checked.

All these examinations will help to more accurately determine the type of demographic urticaria and prescribe a course of treatment.

Children can also get sick

Over the past years, the number of children prone to allergic reactions has been increasing. Often this demographic type of allergy occurs in children.

The main role in the manifestation of the disease in children is the tendency of the child’s body to allergic reactions.

Environmental factors and a number of physical causes can provoke the appearance of symptoms of the disease:

1. Sun;
2. cold;
3. water;
4. warm;
5. uncomfortable and restrictive clothing;
6. insect bites;
7. contact with animal fur;
8. tight wrapping.

The symptoms of the disease are identical to those in adults.

Children appear:

• fullness and blisters;
• additionally, itching of the affected skin area may develop;
• the main symptoms may be accompanied by swelling of the skin with a slight increase in temperature;
• nausea, diarrhea or constipation (in isolated cases).

Symptoms in children can last from a few minutes with a mild form, to several days with a severe reaction of the body, bringing inconvenience and discomfort.

At the first signs of illness, the child should be shown to a doctor in order to prevent the disease from becoming chronic.

To treat demographic urticaria, children are prescribed antihistamines with a dosage selected according to their age and weight.

During the period of illness, the pediatrician also prescribes:

• vitamin therapy;
• use of ointments;
• diet in nutrition;
• bathing the baby in herbal decoctions that help reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

Often, not all measures taken in time can prevent the recurrence of the disease. Treatment and complete elimination of the disease is possible only if preventive measures are taken.

Preventative measures for the disease are considered:

• maximum exclusion of contact with foci of an allergic reaction;
• strengthening the baby's immune system;
• selection of loose clothing and shoes;
• At night, it is recommended that the child wear knitted gloves and bandage the skin to prevent it from scratching.

Treatment methods for demographic urticaria

After an accurate diagnosis and identification of the cause of the disease, the doctor prescribes treatment. The diagnosis is made after a visual examination of the patient and a series of examinations.

The entire course of treatment includes three types of therapy:

• etiotropic type: the type of allergen that caused the disease is identified and excluded. Allergen detection occurs through a series of laboratory tests.
• pathogenetic type: creating a blockade at the initial stage of the disease. The course of treatment for this form of urticaria is prescribed according to the method of treating ordinary allergies. For mild forms of the disease, the course of treatment is gentle. Antihistamine drugs are prescribed. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor in accordance with the patient’s weight and the course of the disease. They will help stabilize the patient’s body condition and reduce the manifestation of the disease.
• symptomatic: treatment is aimed at treating the main symptoms of the disease: swelling, rash, burning and itching.

In severe forms of the disease, a longer course of treatment is required with strict adherence to recommendations:

• compliance with the prescribed diet;
• removal of clothing or its elements that caused dermographism. During the period of illness, it is recommended to wear loose clothing that does not affect the surface of the skin in order to prevent further development of the disease. You should also not wear clothes made from natural materials (wool);
• adhere to the temperature regime;
• reduce or completely eliminate spicy, smoked, fried foods, and alcohol from the diet;
• try to avoid stress or emotional stress.

When treating mild forms of the disease, a number of folk remedies can be used along with the main therapy:

• as a drink, use decoctions of string, black currant leaves, rose hips, mint or yarrow;
• drink freshly squeezed juices of carrots, beets or celery;
• take a daily bath with marjoram infusion;
• Chew and then eat the licorice roots.

By following all the doctor’s prescriptions and recommendations, you can get rid of demographic urticaria in a short time.

Prevention

In order to prevent or reduce the risk of a new manifestation of the disease, it is necessary to take care of basic preventive measures.

Preventive measures for demographic urticaria are:

• prevent or promptly treat diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• maintain a proper diet;
• complete elimination of the factors that provoked the allergic reaction: do not wear tight and tight clothes, do not tighten belts and belts too tightly, wear comfortable shoes.

Find out what to do if you have hives from medications. What are the symptoms of cold urticaria? The answer is here.

What are the causes of mechanical urticaria? Details in the article.

Forecast

Demographic urticaria is a treatable disease. After the first signs of the disease appear and its treatment begins, the first improvements occur the next day.

If the form of the disease is mild, then a general improvement in the condition occurs within the first three days.

But in 8% of cases, demographic urticaria can become chronic. This happens if the main cause of the disease is a psycho-emotional state.

The demographic type of allergy is considered a common type of disease. You can cope or control its manifestation with proper adherence to treatment and preventive measures.

Previous article: Is hives contagious or not Next article: Hives symptoms

How to treat hives

In adults, the disease in most clinical cases has a chronic form. When all the symptoms of urticaria are observed, treatment should be comprehensive:

• Elimination of irritating factors (for example, allergens) and taking antihistamines;
• taking desensitizing drugs;
• multivitamin therapy;
• following a “hypoallergenic” diet;
• taking absorbents and diuretics;
• proper hygiene and skin care;
• taking hormonal medications (in severe cases);
• Possible physical therapy.