The dermatographic urticaria is also known as dermatographia or skin writing. It refers to a condition in which seemingly minor scratches turn into temporary but significant reactions. It is noticed that approximately 5% of people have this condition and it is most commonly seen in younger adults and older children. It is known that scratches can irritate your skin but they tend to heal quickly.
There are some scratches that are white against the skin while others redden slightly. With the dermatographic urticaria, scratches worsen which is causing deep wounds or even allergy-like reactions. The most common symptoms of dermatographic urticaria include swelling or inflammation; itchiness; welts that look like hives; deep wounds; raised marks on the skin that look like writing; redness.
Usually, symptoms last for about thirty minutes at a time. There are rare cases when symptoms can last for a day or longer. But the dermatographic urticaria itself can last for months or years. Also, symptoms of dermatographic urticaria can worsen with extreme temperatures.
The dermatographic urticaria can be triggered by infections; exercises that cause excessive skin rubbing (such as wrestling); stress; certain medications, including penicillin; excessive rubbing from clothing or bedding. The exact cause for dermatographic urticaria is not known. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from dermatographic urticaria before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies so in this way you will avoid side effects. [1]
Here are some home remedies for dermatographic urticaria:
Aloe Vera:
We know that Aloe Vera is one of the most soothing and calming natural cures. This natural cure has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can help you to get relief from the redness and calm down the irritation. It is great for topical use but also it can be taken internally. This will stimulate immunity and eliminate inflammatory toxins. It is simple to use Aloe Vera in a topical way. [2]
It is better to have fresh Aloe Vera. If you have your own Aloe Vera plant, you can choose a plump leaf and break it in two. You should use the Aloe Vera gel for the immediate application on the irritated skin. You should let this natural cure to stay there for 15 minutes and then follow it with a gentle rinse.
Also, you can use Aloe Vera juice on a daily basis so in this way you are using this natural cure in an internal way. This natural cure has nutrients that can help to boost the immune system. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid the usage of Aloe Vera as their natural treatment for dermatographic urticaria.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast but also it is good for the topical use which means that you can use it as your home remedy for the dermatographic urticaria. Also, they have soothing and anti-irritating properties which are making it one of the best home remedies for dermatographic urticaria. The topical application of this home remedy will instantly relieve wheals and itching [3].
You should mix two cups of ground oatmeal with one cup of baking soda. You should sprinkle this home remedy in a tub filled with warm water. You should give it a stir before you soak in the water. You should repeat this natural treatment on a daily basis and soak it for 15 minutes.
Nettles:
You may think that nettles seem counterintuitive but they are highly recommended as a natural treatment for dermatographic urticaria. It has unique properties (like an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties) which are making it a great home remedy. Also, they have the ability to give you relief from the swelling and itching [4].
You can make a nettle tea by using a tablespoon of dry nettle leaves to one cup of water. You should steep this herb up to 15 minutes and then sweeten it with a teaspoon of honey. Also, you can take nettle supplements but talk with your doctor about the recommended dosage.
Apple cider vinegar:
You can use the apple cider vinegar in a topical way as your home remedy for dermatographic urticaria. It has soothing and cooling properties which are a combination with its antihistamine properties that can give you relief from the inflammation. Also, this natural cure has the ability to regulate the immune system’s response. There are two ways in which you can use apple cider vinegar as your home remedy for dermatographic urticaria.
You can add two cups of apple cider vinegar in a tub filled with warm water. You should soak in this water. You should take this apple cider vinegar on a daily basis for fifteen to twenty minutes. In the other natural treatment, you should dilute one part of apple cider vinegar in one part of the water and wash the problematic areas a couple of times per day.
Manage stress:
It is very important to manage your stress as your natural treatment for dermatographic urticaria as well as for the prevention of this condition. You should make regular exercises or you can go to meditation to get relief from the stress that you have in your life. It is very important to have adequate sleep because it will prevent stressful situations during the day. [5]
Drink a lot of water:
It is very important to drink a lot of water if you suffer from dermatographic urticaria. You should avoid alcohol, soda, and sugary drinks because they can increase redness which is dehydrating. You should be sure that the water you drink is filtered just in case the tap water is contaminated. When you drink a lot of water, then it can help your skin to stay healthy, as well as your overall health.
Probiotics:
You should add probiotics in your diet as well as adding probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut and kimchi on a daily basis.
Vitamins:
When people suffer from dermatographic urticaria, then doctors recommend adding vitamins in their diets, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6. You need to talk with your doctor about the recommended dosage of the vitamin which will be best for your condition. [6]
Avoid scratching:
You should avoid scratching your skin as much as possible. It is very important to treat the itchy skin because it can help you to avoid scratches. If you have noticed that the itching gets really bad, then you should use a cold compress in the area where it started or you can use cold water over it. If you scratch, then it will spread all over along with the welts.
Cut back on sugar:
It is very important to stop eating so many sugars in your diet. You will notice that your body will feel better and you will feel better too.
Lukewarm showers:
You should avoid taking baths or showers which are too hot or too cold because this can help your body to stay protected from the extreme temperatures. It is known that the dermatographic urticaria reacts to firm stroking but also it can be facilitated by sudden changes in temperatures. Also, you should avoid going to the sauna and Jacuzzi as well as going out in freezing temperatures whenever possible.
Avoid itchy clothes and bedding:
It is known that wool and synthetic materials are very common skin irritants so you should avoid them if you have dermatographic urticaria. [7]
Acupuncture:
There are some studies in which are said that the dermatographic urticaria can be relieved through acupuncture. This is a type of alternative medicine that is used to relieve a wide range of conditions and to soothe the pain. There are not enough studies to approve that acupuncture can be used as a home remedy for dermatographic urticaria but it is believed that it can help. [8]
The most common acupuncture points could be large intestine 11 and spleen 10. There are different types of acupuncture that are available, including sham procedures that rely on the placebo effect to cure the dermatographic urticaria. There was one study in which was involved 40 people who suffer from dermatographic urticaria. These people were divided into two groups.
The first group received real acupuncture treatment while the other group received the sham procedure for three weeks. In this study was shown that the majority of the patients who benefited from the real treatment were met with remission of their symptoms. Also, this study was discovered that the best results were noticed in the third week following the treatment. Also, it was noticed that the beneficial effects of acupuncture are increasing with each session.
References:
[1] Kudryavtseva AV, Neskorodova KA, Staubach P. Urticaria in children and adolescents: An updated review of the pathogenesis and management. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 2019;30(1):17-24.
[2] Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019;44(1):1–9.
[3] Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015;14(1):43-8.
[4] Kregiel D, Pawlikowska E, Antolak H. Urtica spp.: Ordinary plants with extraordinary properties. Molecules. 2018;23(7):1664.
[5] Jackson EM. Stress relief: The role of exercise in stress management. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. 2013;17(3):14-9.
[6] Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Chularojanamontri L, et al. Relationship between vitamin D and chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review. Clinical and Translational Allergy. 2018.
[7] Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N. Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care. Northern Clinics of Istanbul. 2019;6(1):93–9.
[8] Yao Q, Ye Y, Liu X, et al. Acupuncture for patients with chronic urticaria: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open. 2015;5(9):e007704.
