(via imgTumble)“I have dermatographia, a condition in which one’s immune system releases excessive amounts of histamine, causing capillaries to dilate and welts to appear (lasting about thirty minutes) when the hypersensitive skin’s surface is lightly scratched. This allows me to painlessly draw on my skin with just enough time to photograph the results. Even though I can direct this ephemeral response by drawing on it, the reaction is involuntary, much like the uncontrollable nature of a blush.”
this is really cool.
I get these same types of welts, but only if there’s a high pollen/ragweed count. If you lightly touch or graze my skin, it welts up. I used to write my name on my forearm, make it obvious for a teacher to see, and then get out of class by going to the office, where they assumed I was mutilating myself—no one understands that it’s harmless. My family’s skin is weird.
Also, if I touch my neck or chest under any circumstances, the place where I touch turns bright red, and people commonly think I’m dying.
There’s also a very embarrassing issue that my scalp itches during those moderate-high pollen/ragweed times as well, so I’ll be scratching like I have lice or dandruff or something but my scalp isn’t dry or infested.
All of this happens when I’m stressed out, too. I’m weird. I never thought of making it an art, though…
(Source: thirstygods)
