When i get itchy and i scratch my arm for example, shortly after i scratch, there will be a white "line" where my finger scratched myself, and red all around it. Does that signify some kind of allergic reaction or something? I remember a doctor years ago simply running a pen cap down my arm, not even too hard, and it made a red line down the path the cap ran over...does that mean anything?

Adam

Hi,

It could indicate a condition called dermatographism. All this means is that your skin is highly reactive, usually do to an overproduction of histamine.
I am horribly dermatographic. Even on huge doses of antihistamines- I still react badly to a simple skin scratch (when most people while on antihistamines would not react at all or only have a mild reaction).

Hope this helps to answer your question!

That sounds like it to me...does this coincide with any other health problems that you know of? I mean does an overproduction of histamine do anything else to you?

Adam

Hi,

That sounds EXACTLY like what my 9 year old daughter has. We finally broke down and took her to an allergist. They said what that is is HIVES, caused by some allergic reaction to something. Hers happened to be wheat, milk, pollen, dust, mites, and Asian beetles. They put her on Singulair, Loratadine, and Armour Thyroid, plus drops. They told her to cut down on her wheat and milk to once a day.

I would suggest seeing someone about this, and pinpoint what exactly it is causing it. My daughter puts on calamine lotion to help with the throbbing heat and itching that goes with it. Sometimes a bath in oatmeal bath stuff helps too.

You definatly are allergic to something, now you just have to find out what it is. I don't know where you are, but we are in Wisconsin and we go to LaCrosse to the Allergy Specialists. They are excellent at figuring out what it is and what is causing it.

Good Luck to you and I hope you find relief soon.

DeAnne

Wow I will do that. I have had lots of congestion, post nasal drip problems, ear problems etc. Im wondering if im just really allergic to something. This has been going on for YEARS!

I will look for an allergist, Im in CT. And get checked out to see whats goin on.

Thanks!!!!

Adam

ive had dermatographia/hives for ten years now. I've gone to an allergies and found that im allergic to plant molds, trees, dog, cat. I also tested for food allergies and there were none.

this is one problem i have that im sick of. if i don't take antihistamines, im itching, red and whelping all over. I wish there was a cure for this

I also have fibromyalgia

I read somewhere too that dermatographia is an early sign of dysautonomia

ive had dermatographia/hives for ten years now. I've gone to an allergies and found that im allergic to plant molds, trees, dog, cat. I also tested for food allergies and there were none.

this is one problem i have that im sick of. if i don't take antihistamines, im itching, red and whelping all over. I wish there was a cure for this

I also have fibromyalgia

I read somewhere too that dermatographia is an early sign of dysautonomia


What is dysautonomia? That doesnt sound good -
Adam

im scared to post links but this is a small portion of what ive gotten

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) , Neurocardiogenic Syncope, Mitral Valve Prolapse Dysautonomia, Pure Autonomic Failure, Multiple System Atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome) are some of the many disorders that involve a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, or Dysautonomia.

Our bodies have a complex task of maintaining a stable internal environment and respond appropriately to changes that take place in the external surroundings. This complex task is directed by the Autonomic Nervous System.

The autonomic nervous system manages most of our bodily systems, including the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal, urinary and bowel functions, temperature regulation, reproduction and our metabolic and endocrine systems. Additionally, this system is responsible for our reaction to stress - the flight or fight response.

When our autonomic nervous system malfunctions, it is known as Dysautonomia. Other terminology that is used includes - Autonomic Dysfunction, Autonomic Failure and Autonomic Neuropathy.

For those afflicted with Dysautonomia, there is a range of symptoms that can vary. The prognosis may be one that calls for an abatement of symptoms, or an adjustment to living with a chronic impairment. The following statement, by Dr. David H.P. Streeten, provides an excellent summation of the impact of Dysautonomia:


Autonomic Disorders are classified into two divisions

Primary Disorders (e.g. Orthostatic Intolerance Conditions, MSA /Shy-Drager Syndromes) Secondary, or Acquired Disorders (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus)


Symptoms

Major symptoms

Fatigue

Chest pain

Palpitations or irregular heart beat

Migraine headaches

Anxiety

Depression

Panic attacks

Shortness of breath



Minor symptoms

Neck aches or pains

Feeling hot or cold, not related to external temperature

Arm or leg aches

Shakiness

Swelling of arms, hands, legs, or feet

Difficulty sleeping

Backaches

Intestinal or stomach trouble

Difficulty with urination

Numbness in any part of the body

Aches or pains in hands or feet

Fainting spells

Excessive perspiration or inability to perspire

Trouble with eyes or visual disturbances

Skin trouble or rashes

Muscle fatigue or weakness

Dizzy spells

Muscular tensions

Twitching muscles

Poor health in general

Excessive gas

Bowel trouble (constipation or loose bowels)

Hay fever or other allergies

Trouble concentrating or memory problems

Out of all the major symptoms you listed I have:

Fatigue
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Some shortness of breath sometimes
Migraine (I had 2 or 3 small migraines with visual aura a few years ago, and strangely one last week after watching a strobe light at a sporting event

Minor Symptoms:

Stiff neck
Dont like being warm - always like sleeping in cold or having a fan on me
Twitching muscles (sometime feel a little constant tic in an arm or leg muscle, usually goes away
Eye trouble: I have had this strange double vision type problem since i was 17 (im 28 now). Especially when looking at lights at night or contrasting colors, it looks like there is an extension of the light (almost like a hologram of the image above below and to the sides. Worse when eyes are tired.

I have mitral valve prolapse, hbp (which i take atenolol and lotrel for) and anxiety which im on zoloft and xanax for. Also have recently been diag'd with sleep apnea (use a cpap machine right now. ENT says my tonisls and uvula are very large) and bilateral vestibular deficit...so im pretty much dizzy 24/7 and currently go to therapy to try to help that.

Im a mess. I need a miracle.

Adam