What causes weird line-shaped rashes when scratching?

Question

Hello doctor,

Since last week, I have been feeling itchiness around my body, especially my arms, feet, abdomen, and back. At first, it started every night, but it started to feel itchy in the afternoon too.

Now, the itch kind of calmed down, but every time I scratched, my skin tended to form weird raised lines that looked like rash bumps, but in a weird line shape which is not really caused by how I scratched it. Just like the pictures below, the rash can either look like weird shapes or like red scars which form in order for some reason. Also, the rash does not go away after a while, sometimes it just stays there.

Now it mostly forms around my back, breast, legs, and arms. Is there any cause for this?

Please advice.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query.

I saw your clinical picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

It is called dermographism. Usually, it is seen in four to five percent of the normal population. Dermographism is a form of physical urticaria. Scratching, rubbing, or any kind of physical pressure can cause this type of rash. We do not treat this condition unless it is symptomatic like irresistible itching and causing distress for the patient.

I suggest:

Apply topical Calamine lotion three times a day. It calms the skin.
Take a tablet of Levosiz M (a combination of Levocetirizine and Montelukast) (anti-allergy medication) to keep these rashes under control. Take one tablet at night after dinner for two weeks.

Hope it helps.

Thank you.