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Russians Flock to See Miracle Baby
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October 24, 2009 on Reuters
Pilgrims flock to see a 'miracle' baby in southern Russia's Dagestan whose skin appears to be a canvas for verses from the Koran.
Pilgrims flock to see a 'miracle' baby in southern Russia's Dagestan whose skin appears to be a canvas for verses from the Koran.
Oct 25, 2009 5:02 AM
Re: Russians Flock to See Miracle Baby
This miracle happens to be a skin disease called Dermatographic urticaria (also known as dermographism, dermatographism or “skin writing”) is a skin disorder seen in 4–5% of the population and is one of the most common types of urticaria, in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked or rubbed with a dull object.
According to Wikipedia the symptoms are thought to be caused by mast cells in the surface of the skin releasing histamines without the presence of antigens, due to the presence of a weak membrane surrounding the mast cells. The histamines released cause the skin to swell in the affected areas.
This weak membrane easily and rapidly breaks down under physical pressure causing an allergic-like reaction, generally a red wheal(welt) to appear on the skin. It can often be confused with an allergic reaction to the object causing a scratch, when in fact it is the act of being scratched that causes a wheal to appear. These wheals are a subset of urticaria (hives) that appear within minutes, accompanied by a sensation of burning, and itchiness. The first outbreak of urticaria can lead to others on body parts not directly stimulated, scraped or scratched. In a normal case the swelling will reduce itself with no treatment within 15–30 minutes, but in extreme cases, itchy red wheals may last anywhere from a few hours to days.
As it turns out this alleged miracle that has caused so much uproar is just a skin disease. The writings are made by a selfish mother who torments her child to garner attention. In a civilized society this woman would be charged with child abuse and her baby taken away from her. But in an Islamic world, hungry for miracles she receives homage.
A Miracle...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/4/42/20070312170502!Dermatographic_urticaria.jpg
According to Wikipedia the symptoms are thought to be caused by mast cells in the surface of the skin releasing histamines without the presence of antigens, due to the presence of a weak membrane surrounding the mast cells. The histamines released cause the skin to swell in the affected areas.
This weak membrane easily and rapidly breaks down under physical pressure causing an allergic-like reaction, generally a red wheal(welt) to appear on the skin. It can often be confused with an allergic reaction to the object causing a scratch, when in fact it is the act of being scratched that causes a wheal to appear. These wheals are a subset of urticaria (hives) that appear within minutes, accompanied by a sensation of burning, and itchiness. The first outbreak of urticaria can lead to others on body parts not directly stimulated, scraped or scratched. In a normal case the swelling will reduce itself with no treatment within 15–30 minutes, but in extreme cases, itchy red wheals may last anywhere from a few hours to days.
As it turns out this alleged miracle that has caused so much uproar is just a skin disease. The writings are made by a selfish mother who torments her child to garner attention. In a civilized society this woman would be charged with child abuse and her baby taken away from her. But in an Islamic world, hungry for miracles she receives homage.
A Miracle...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/4/42/20070312170502!Dermatographic_urticaria.jpg
Re: Russians Flock to See Miracle Baby
The same thing happens to me due to my allergies. If I scratch my skin with my fingernail, it will become red and raised after 20 seconds or so. Thankfully, it's not as bad now because I'm getting allergy shots.
By: chronomitch
Re: Russians Flock to See Miracle Baby
The skin didn't look like it was raised but yeah it was probably some allergic reaction.
By: Raikou
