A skin condition where writing or scratching on the skin causes raised marks that appear like writing, usually disappearing within 30 minutes.
From Greek 'derma' (skin) and 'graphia' (writing), combined with '-ism' (condition or state). The term literally means 'skin writing' because the skin reacts dramatically to light scratching as if recording marks like a pen on paper.
About 2-5% of people have dermatographism, making it surprisingly common! It's essentially your immune system overreacting to minor skin trauma, causing histamine release that makes welts appear exactly where you trace your finger—some people use it as a party trick.
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