Dermographism Urticaria Workup

  • Author: Simone Laube, MD, MRCP; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 5, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

  • The results from hematological and biochemical screening tests are normal. In some patients, an increase in blood histamine levels is seen after experimental scratching.
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Procedures

  • The diagnosis is usually made by observing the clinical response after using moderate pressure to stroke or gently scratch the skin. The site is important because areas protected from regular pressure and environmental influences, such as the back, are more reactive than more exposed areas, such as the buttocks and limbs.
  • A dermographometer (spring-loaded stylus) can be used to apply graded, reproducible pressure (eg, 3600 g/cm2) and record skin responses. It is mostly limited to research settings.
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Histologic Findings

  • Biopsy specimens show dermal edema with a few perivascular mononuclear cells.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Simone Laube, MD, MRCP  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Borders General Hospital, Melrose and Western General Hospital

Simone Laube, MD, MRCP is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Shyam Verma, MBBS, DVD, FAAD  Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia, State University of New York at Stonybrook, Penn State University

Shyam Verma, MBBS, DVD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Elsbeth Young, MD, FRCP, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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