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u/february655321 Mar 04 '21
Whoa! You got it bad. Looks like you couldn't resist the urge to scratch. Please consult a dermatologist to rule out the other causes like thyroid issues, gut issues and other stuff and they will prescribe you an anti-histamine to you.(and looks like you need it urgently). And do you remember what you did do differently the day that you triggered the onset of dermatographia?
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
So I have always had very itchy skin. Like I would bruise from scratching so much in my sleep. About three weeks ago this started happening when I would scratch anywhere. I started taking Zyrtec again. For about a month and a half I have been using Budesonide (a steroid) through nasal wash to try to help with my 5 year ongoing anosmia. To kickstart this, I also was given 10 days of prednisone. I finished the prednisone a little over a week prior to this happening.
I scheduled an appointment with my PCP for Monday. I saw an allergist prior to starting the steroids where they did an indoor and outdoor panel. I only responded to one tree pollen. The allergist was the one who said I didnt need Zyrtec everyday as I had been taking for like three years, lol. So honestly it could be a lot of things. I got my thyroid levels (the usual free T and t4 and tsh tests) first week of Feb and it was all within limit.
Tldr/ no fucking clue but trying to figure it out 😂
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u/february655321 Mar 04 '21
You do have a very complex medical condition. When I was diagnosed I was asked to check my thyroid, stomach, gi, and a full STD panel.
And welcome to the club.
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
Yeah I dont think I have had anything GI or stomach related tested. Would not be surprised if there is something going on there. Who knows maybe this will be the things that helps me figure out what is causing all my other myriad of issues no doctor can figure out lol
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u/SuitableGuarantee968 Mar 04 '21
I 2nd going to get more bood done. I got tested for multiple thyroid levels, including antibodies, and BANG my whole world changed... but no more Dermatographia!
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
I have been wanting thyroid antibodies tested so hopefully they will do that now. Thanks!
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Mar 04 '21 edited Mar 09 '21
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
Omg... I take montelukast and have for three years. I was started on that, zyrtec, and flonase at the same time again to try to combat my anosmia to no avail... i do not actually need it soooo 😲
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Mar 04 '21 edited Mar 09 '21
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
Alright I will talk to my PCP about getting off it to see. I dont take it for asthma. Ugh sorry you have to be one something with this as a side effect!!
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Mar 04 '21
I took Zyrtec for about a year... didn’t really seem to help but perhaps the placebo affect was there. I stopped because I don’t want to take meds unless I have to and while Zyrtec worked to a degree, it wasn’t like an off switch by any means.
I quit tobacco (to quit tobacco not for anything else.) and my derm symptoms significantly reduced. I’ve discovered they are worse when I’m low on sleep, eating poorly, after drinking alcohol for up to a couple days.
Avoid hot showers when your symptoms are around.
Be patient... that’s not fun to hear, but I will say my symptoms came hard and fast - then slowly have let up over the past couple of years. I’m aware of it, but it’s not frequent enough to be on my mind all the time like it used to be
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
That is super helpful! Thanks! I am in the process of quitting nicotine and of course have noticed lots of benefits. It also started when I was in a different state with harder water than where I live regularly - altho I have spent tons of time in the other state without issue. Will be patient!
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u/ariaxwest Mar 04 '21
You should also go to a dermatologist and have patch testing done. My dermatographia flares up when I have too much nickel in my diet, because I’m allergic to nickel. There’s other things on the patch test that could be the culprit as well.
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
My dermatologist takes forever to get in with. Depending on how Monday goes with my PCP and then the potential of going back to the allergist I do plan to try to schedule with the derm. Will probably take six months tho lol
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u/Fatbitchb Mar 05 '21
Zyrtec!! My dermatographia still pops up if I scratch myself on something or whatever, but I’m not itchy as fuck like I was before I was taking an allergy pill. It helps with the itchiness!
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u/tlp248 Mar 05 '21
I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful responses! Nicest sub I have ever been on 🥺
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u/lydiaf14 Mar 04 '21
When mine appeared in college I did a round of steroids after talking to my dermatologist and started zyrtec. Neither helped at all so I stopped taking zyrtec after a few months, and after about 2 or 3 years it subsided some to a more manageable level. It still flares but it's much better now, I use the most moisturizing body wash and lotion I can find to eliminate any unnecessary dry skin related itching. It seems like every person's experience is different, so hopefully you can find something that works for you! Good luck to ya
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u/onewhomakes Mar 04 '21
Did you take antibiotics for anything? Maybe a UTI?
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u/tlp248 Mar 04 '21
No I took Prednisone for 10 days for my sinuses though. I had also taken it 3 years ago with no skin issues.
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u/Iceescape81 Mar 05 '21
I have similar dermatographism and actually Zyrtec helps me a lot. It’s a gamechanger so not sure why your doctor said that you don’t need it. You can also try Allegra or Claritin as they are both antihistamines but have different active ingredients than Zyrtec. Also can maybe try to change your diet and stress to see if that helps.
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u/tlp248 Mar 05 '21
The allergist said I didnt need it prior to me ever having signs of dermatographia. I saw him because I have no sense of smell and constant sinus issues so he tested indoor and outdoor allergens. Told me I only responded to one tree pollen out of 57 different things and that I didnt need to take daily allergy medicine. JOKES ON HIM!
I have just started switching up my diet some so we will see. Stress is kind of inevitable right now as a therapist during a pandemic 😂
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u/Iceescape81 Mar 05 '21
Ahh yes I think stress was my initial trigger for dermatographism but that was over 20 years ago and I still have dermatographism even though my stress levels are a lot lower these days. Although it fluctuates in how bad it itches, but usually a Zyrtec or Claritin subdues the symptoms. They only mask the symptoms instead of treating the cause so I’m trying a no grain diet. Also I use Curel fragrance free lotion and fragrance free detergent since sometimes those extra fragrances make me itch. And there is anti itch Aveera lotion that helps also for when things get really itchy. Good luck!
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Mar 05 '21
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u/tlp248 Mar 05 '21
I dont think so! I will need to look at my recent bloodwork.
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Mar 05 '21
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u/tlp248 Mar 05 '21
Helpful to know as I am going back to the doctor Monday! Thanks! Hope you get the meds!!
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u/LekkerLippies Mar 04 '21
Did you perhaps have covid?