Low incidence of dermographism in subacute and chronic urticaria.

Abstract

DERMOGRAPHISM is a term applied to wheals of various sizes and shapes produced on the skin by local physical or mechanical irritation, such as stroking, scratching, rubbing, and pinching. Synonomous terms are factitious urticaria (urticaria factitia), dermographic urticaria, autographism, mechanical urticaria, and dermographia. Dermographism is to be distinguished from pressure 1 Dermographism is provoked within a few minutes by a relatively gentle superficial mechanical influence, such as stroking of the skin. Pressure urticaria appears only after a latent period varying from 2 to 24 hours and only at the sites of relatively great and persistent pressure, such as the soles, palms, and buttocks. Our interest in the relationship between dermographism and subacute or urticaria was aroused when we noted many patients with dermographism were being referred for skin testing to the Allergy Section under the diagnosis of chronic urticaria. On investigating the literature, we found marked differences of opinion as to the relationship of these entities. Walzer 2