SKIN RASHES

[believe]

Hi Lupies,

I am itching all over and pretty annoyed :angry: this very moment. These rashes started a few days after I was exposed to 6 hours in the sun, though, I wore 40spf sunblock, a hat, and sun protective clothing. I don't have any pets and don't have bugs in my home, though my skin feels like it's crawling with critters. This sensation is similar to the precursor to my big flare last year, but I had hives all over my abdomen. For some bizarre reason, I itched like a madwoman weeks before I severely decompensated into a CNS SLE flare last year. I don't feel like I decompensating, but I am curious if other lupies have similar skin problems.

When fellow lupies talk about their ailments, skin involvement is one of the more common complaints. I am not even sure this may even be related to lupus, but let me describe the ******s and perhaps you can relate, and tell me what your rashes are called.

tiny red raised bumps that stay red when you press on them (some itch, others don't bother me) (appeared this week)

cluster of small bumps on my cheek that don't hurt or itch (not acne)

cluster of larger, reddish bumps (size of pimples) on my back that itch (new)

the lobe of my ear is very red, itch, and inflammed (this week)

lots of bruises (past few months)

petichiae after I have scratched

frontal alopecia (months)

livedo reticularis to my knees (months)


These are my current dermatological issues, but the tiny red bumps that itch are terribly bothersome at this very moment.

Do you relate to any of these rashes?

What kind of lupus related skin problems do you have? Appearance and sensation of the rashes...

Thanks for any input!
Believe

[RosemaryP]

livedo reticularis, you should see my face and my legs, I am a battle ground with them.
Itching...I usually find that is worse when warm, summer months are a real curse for it and autumn. In the past I found tea tree oil (from a health food shop) was the best to stop the itching, admittedly it stinks like crazy and you have to apply it to the itching area several times a day at times. IF that does not work (it will not cure the problem) there is the odd time some rashes do not work with it, I can give you no advice.
Alopecia yes and I get it more to the front too, more so on one side.
There are a heap of us that have skin problems at times.
One of the most cooling moisterisers that is non greasy is Lac Hydrin Lotion available on prescription in the US (it costs a bomb otherwise) other countires I recommend Lipobase lotion.
Those red bumps I can relate to.

[lisafree]

I do not have rashes or skin problems, so I cannot give you any information. What a horrible thing to be so itchy all the time. I know it is hard to take your mind off of things like that.
Have you asked your dr. what the rashes are and can he give you something that could help?

Hope the rashes get better soon.

:lol: Lisafree

[marybri]

Hi,
I hate to say this but after 6 hours in the sun I'm surprised you have'nt been hospitalised!!!!!

It is not enough to put on sunblock,a hat and supossedly protective clothing.
These things are ok for short periods of exposure but that length of time spent in the sun,quite honestly you are asking for trouble!!!!!

You need to seek medical attention straight away.

take care
Mary

[Angie E]

After working cattle (July in Texas!), fully clothed, long sleeves, jeans socks, the whole shebang, hat, sunblock I ended up with a full body rash just like you are describing. Tiny red itchy blisters all over. It took a week before they went away. The only thing I could do for them is put clear Benadryl gel all over and take a few Benadryl and knock myself out.

After being at my daughter's football game (she's a pee wee cheerleader) last week, sitting in the shade, etc, I ended up with the same itcy blisters on my cheeks. It will drive you nuts! My OB/GYN game me a cream called Diprolene that makes them go away overnight. It's a perscription.

Angie E

[LaneyPup]

Hi Believe,
I am new here but this topic really caught my eye. For a couple of years I have been going through all body itching, I thought it was because I was gaining weight. Even my private parts itch like crazy. One thing that has helped me is not using fabric softener and eating less sugar to control candisis. Warm baths in salts help too.

Laneypup B)

[Clare.T]

Whether they are all lupus related or not I would bet they are caused by sun and even heat.

Heat alone from any source is an aggression on the blood vessels and causes inflammation. There is even more likely to be a marked reaction when the person has lupus. Certain immune system responses are activated and in turn the autoimmune process can be accelerated

I can only tell you that red bumps whether itchy & sore or not are often the precursors of lupus skin lesions. They might take several years to develop into their full glory.

I don't have any additional suggestions for soothing the itch except some aftersun lotions might help but do a test patch first in case of allergy to the lidocaine. You might also try Preparation H ,I think it is called for hemorrhoids - anesthetising. I take no responsibility for any adverse effects if you try any of these.

Your doctor needs to see them. If the lupus is being effectively treated hair loss should slow down.
That frontal loss is typical of lupus - the hair growth cycle is accelerated and they drop out before reaching full length thus looking shorter than normal.

Take care

Clare

[Suzan]

Hello :wave:

I certainly relate to your small raised "bumps" I am recently dx'd with
DLE and have lots of discoid lesions :wacko: few on face mostly along the jawline..and red rash across cheeks! a fair amount on back..and more than
I could count on left arm and few on right :unsure: and red rash on the
V of neck! oh, yes and some on scalp :o ooops and outer ear,too

I can also relate to the ITCH!! :wacko: and have different creams that
I use.... depending on the site. Scratching is forbidden :( and these
lovely little lesions do leave their mark or "impressions" :unsure:

I am now forced to wear sunblock in work...as the flourescent lighting
is unkind to my skin :angry:

I hope this info has helped...and sending you Good Wishes :love:

Take Care

Suzan :flowers: :flowers: :wave:

[Lily]

Yep spending that much time in the sun even with protection is a definite no-no. Once you are sensitised in that way it will only get worse and worse. You need to be very very careful. Especially the livedo, mine is much much worse if I expose it to the sun, but it doesn't stop there. After a summer holiday two years ago it came, turned nasty and it has stayed. It was visibly affecting my veins as well then to the point that I was having severe blood pressure drops and a whole host of other stuff. It's dangerous stuff playing with the sun, I learnt the hard way and now I cannot tolerate it at all, nor can I tolerate fluro lights or even the dentist. But it has moved on from there. It affects me in other ways and puts me in a flare, it affects my kidneys also. Please be ever so careful, what you think is 'just' skin can quickly become 'just' an organ!!!).

Interestingly enough amongst my plethora of skin complaints at times I have found that I get those itchy raised things when other things are a bit more settled. My raised red bumps usually turn into a kind of dryed out scabby thing which scars for a while, I get them on my back, even with no sun exposure (had them this winter). Cortisone cream helped, I couldn't get to a dermatologist but my Immuno has seen them and checks them out. He doesn't tell me what they are (I suspect a discoid type thingy) but he does seem interested in them.

Please be careful, you are playing with fire, you need to see a dermatologist, have a biopsy and get some treatment. If I get nowhere this summer I'm heading off to the dermy also, should have seen one years ago. But I fear that for some reason they don't want to give me Plaquenil which I really should be on I think. I'm asking about it when I next go to the city doc.

love
Lily

[Spankylj1963]

;) Oh boy, what a miserable subject. I am SO familiar with pretty well all of the rashes you described. Unfortunately, nothing I have tried to rid me of them has worked, so I can't offer much in the way of advice. The itching is enough to drive anyone mad. I've noticed lately (I've been in a flare since June) that after just a few seconds of my skin being exposed to the sun (particularly on my calves) I get the red raised bumps you described that itch like the devil. If anyone finds anything that helps the skin problems, please post suggestions on the message board.
Best of luck,
Jill

[zamsci]

Same here I was going to start my own thread but just to add to the rashy peeps I too recently became the non stop itcher. Of course it started slow I thought they were flea bites on my back and then I started scrach and then it spread to arms, fore head, my head, and lightly my legs. I have never in my 26 years of living ever has a single allegeric reaction to anything, never had hives or rashes--no skin problems ever! I 'm like some of the other responders when it come to the steriods but i'm already overweight I just cannot bare a rash (if it can be cured) so I'm on 40mg of pred and tampering downward all from my GP advice and creams and a anti itch pill -real tiny and orange red pill- its sort of working not nearly as bad as before 3rd day on meds will see! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

[neebug58]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zamsci @ Nov 16 2005, 11:09 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Same here I was going to start my own thread but just to add to the rashy peeps I too recently became the non stop itcher. Of course it started slow I thought they were flea bites on my back and then I started scrach and then it spread to arms, fore head, my head, and lightly my legs. I have never in my 26 years of living ever has a single allegeric reaction to anything, never had hives or rashes--no skin problems ever! I 'm like some of the other responders when it come to the steriods but i'm already overweight I just cannot bare a rash (if it can be cured) so I'm on 40mg of pred and tampering downward all from my GP advice and creams and a anti itch pill -real tiny and orange red pill- its sort of working not nearly as bad as before 3rd day on meds will see! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif
[/b][/quote]


Hi, I too have to add to this itching post, I do not get any rashes, but any time I get out of a shower my body goes crazy with itching. I use a steroid lotion. and antihistimines before I take a shower but it really doesnt help all that much.

This is the most horrible thing I have ever gone through, it's a very painful itch. I have changed soaps, I have gone with out soap. I have changed laundry detergent and softener, stopped using softener, air dried you name it and I have tried it, water temperateure change. Has anyone one else had anything like this happen to them? I dread taking a shower...sighned stinky...lol
Big Hugs
Neebug

[elicook]

I've had a lot of problem with itching recently as well. I started itching after showers - all over. Then it was just my arms. I changed soap, shampoo, everything and nothing helped. After the itching I started developing small red spots that itched even more and a terrible rash that turned into open sores. It took three months of medication (prednisone and cortisone cream) to get rid of the rash and it threatens to return every so often - but I head it off with cortisone cream at the first sign.

[hazey]

Hi to all style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

This one caught my eye, as I have had various itchy issues over the last couple of years! Neebug and Elicook - I share your shower induced itching. I did a search and found some info on 'aquagenic pruritus'. It's the water itself that triggers it, not soaps etc. Just thought you'd like to know so we know we're not mad! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif

Whilst we're posting on this, I've another weird one. Since about June, I've experienced an incredibly itchy nipple!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hissy1.gif Just the one, not the other. No lumps, puckering or anything. GP happy that nothing sinister going on and suggests steroid cream and moisturising. But it seems so odd - why there??? Anyone else?

Hazel

[tink]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif HI i have very bad itching today and last night kept me awake .
voltarol was keeping it at bay but due to g p telling me too come off it here i go again.
i get it on my back where i can,t reach and all over ,, its painfull and stingy and itchy
i find that drinking lots of water and useing lots of moisturing cream with arnica in it helps a lot but like anything else as soon as we change our diet or meds here i go again .
the arnica cream helps with the pain a bit .but be carefull its trial and error with new things, what work for some might not work for others allways test first on small area .
sometimes it can be an allergic reaction that sets it off worse .but it never goes away alltogether .tink

[Unicorn]

Hi there i'm Netty from devon uk

This subject has me facinated. I too am troubled by constant rashes and terrible itching. Sometimes its impossible to sleep which makes other problems worse!

My Dermy says its Urticaria(Hives) and has me on 3 types of meds. He told me that there are 2 histamine respetors with in us and he would try to block both. i use Piriton at night to help sleep, cant say it helps much but not been on long. Telfast 180mg daily(antihystamine) and believe it or not he put me on Ranitadine 150 twice daily, its normally for stomach issues but doc says its been found effective in some cases similar to mine. Giving it a try any way, hope it starts to work soon. Will let you all know!

I still have not been dx'd yet but see a new rhuemy soon!

Take care all

Love Netty from Sunny Devon.xxxx style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif

[Mootie]

Hi Unicorn,

I have had chronic ideopathic urticaria and delayed pressure urticaria for 10 years. It drives me nuts so much so that I have been on full disability for 2 years now. I am on 180mg telfast and two ranitidine per day as well. Telfast is a H1 blocker and Ranitidine H2, these antihistamines work together to settle symptoms. As DPU is very hard to treat this therapy does not always work the best but it is what is available. There are times when I have had to go on courses of cortisone to settle the symptoms.

Last year I was diagnosed with vasculitis in addition to the urticaria and I think that the vasculitis is the main offender in my case.

There is a great Dr in your country, Dr Malcom Grieve (I think), he seems to be a world authority on urticaria. Here is a great site on urticaria, you will find some useful information here.


http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/urticaria.htm


Regards,

Mootie

[K-MARIE]

Hi, I too have to add to this itching post, I do not get any rashes, but any time I get out of a shower my body goes crazy with itching. I use a steroid lotion. and antihistimines before I take a shower but it really doesnt help all that much.

This is the most horrible thing I have ever gone through, it's a very painful itch. I have changed soaps, I have gone with out soap. I have changed laundry detergent and softener, stopped using softener, air dried you name it and I have tried it, water temperateure change. Has anyone one else had anything like this happen to them? I dread taking a shower...sighned stinky...lol
Big Hugs
Neebug
[/quote]


Hi,
I had this exact problem after the shower I itched extremely bad, so bad i didnt have enough fingers to reach all areas, it would last about 15 minutes then subside, just as you i had no rash and really dreaded shower, this started about 4 months after i began plaquenil, my derm said continue it anyway. but eventually i had to go off it due to weird eye symptoms and I havent itched since . plaquenil does mention itching as a side effect. i really think the vessels must be affected by the water pressure of temp, setting off the itching, do you take plaquenil?

[neebug58]

Hi,

No I don't take Plaquenil. My itching has subsided a great deal, almost down to nothing.
You all will be happy to know that I am back to taking showers on a daily basis now.

I believe that the itching comes and goes with flares, I have noticed that everything is settling down.

OR IS IT THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM??????

I'm trying to be positive..... I see a new rhuemy next Thurs. that I'm excited about.

I'm going to go to the urticaria website and see what information I can find.

Take care of yourself
Bighugs
Neebug

[dingding]

Hi there, I've had the itching after shower thing for about 15 years now. My sister, mum and aunt have it too. I've been on Plaquenil for about a year and had UTCD for about two. The itchy skin I think is called aquagenic pruritus. My GP's tried antihistamines on me but they don't really help.

It gets worse when seasons change and I've read somewhere when your tan fades (so either don't tan or use sunbeds!). I find showering at night helps, or if I have to shower in the morning going for a ten minute jog first. Ice packs are the only thing that help with the pain.

Hope this helps!

[Clare.T]

Hi dingding

Your post caught my eye because of this


so either don't tan or use sunbeds!).


People with lupus and similar connective tissue diseases are well advised not to tan and certainly not use tanning beds. Tanning means damage to the skin. Photosensitivity can develop after diagnosis. Many cases of lupus are triggered by UV exposure and increased disease activity is documented after UV exposure, even if there are no visible outward signs.

Not to mention the horrifying increase in skin cancers.

Take care !

Clare

[halfpintfl]

Hi there, I am not surprised either that you have all the itching and bumps:eek: , but I do offer you my sympathies. I say that there are two rules for Lupus;
1-the sun is your enemy
2-stress=pain.
I would either go to the hospital or try to get into a Dermy's office on an emergency basis, you need help now. O do hope that you feel better soon.:wink2:

[jej]

Hi.
I just wanted to add to the itching post, as I too have the shower itch. It has driven me to stopping showering and bathing in a tepid tub instead (not good for the environment I know).

As for the rashes, I thought they were just part and parcel of lupus. At the moment I have a glorious doubled sided rash that runs from the underside of both arms, down the outer side of each breast and down each side of my stomach before running across to my belly-button and joining up. Fortunately, it's not more than moderately itchy.

I also get the no-rash itch, a terribly frustrating scratch-demanding sensation on my arms and upper back, that specialises in starting up when I get into bed. I think this is dry skin related and have recently been applying a cream called Derma Salve (available on prescription in the UK) which helps me a lot (although it smells a bit).

Sorry everyone else suffers in the same way, but strangely knowing that you do does make me feel less alone with my itches.

jej:lol:

[nicky00]

Hi:)

I used to get hives,creeping crawling feeling, and some assortment of rashes pre diagnosis.

They were mainly an allergic reaction and made me feel grumpy and irritated then very worn out. Allergies are known for that.

As I understand it Lupus people are or can be prone to allergic type reactions. You will drive yourself even madder trying to figure out what set it off.

I do understand the sun to be a definate no no. I am trying to figure out that one for myself personally - as yet I cannot come to a conclusion despite all the evidence I think I may be trying the denial effect:eek: .


I did a quick Google to see what came under Nettle Rash or Urtica which is the name given to an allergic reaction rash (you dont have to be stung by a nettle)

Urticaria (nettle rash, hives)
Raised red patches or weals, sometimes with paler areas in centre, which cause intense itching can be caused by Food allergy (to shellfish, strawberries, nuts, etc.), food additives, certain drugs (notably aspirin), scratching, insect bites, and extreme Stress (grief at the death of a loved one, for example); in people with sensitive skin, heat, cold, or sunlight may raise weals. It has suggested that persistent urticaria may be a symptom of toxocariasis, carried by family pets. Therefore de-worm animals regularly, keep strays off your kitchen garden and be careful to wash your hands before meals.

Of course that is just a general quick Google.

I have had the itchy dots you describe and not hive like.

The lumps under the skin on my face ( now diagnosed as a malar rash) come out seemly more in the sunlight ( im still figuring out the sun exposure)

The photosensitive rash all over my chest was raging, but again after medication.

ie I was put on Planquenil I am clear of the itchy stuff.

Not sure what treatment you are still on if any,

Nicky:)

Acutally after posting I have read how many replies you have and all mentioned in great detail urtica..!

[BigSis]

Can I ask a silly question?
What does 'malar' actually mean? Is it the position of the rash {over the cheeks} or the type of spots?
I currently have an inverted triangle under each eye (like a clown) slightly itchy.
Thanks
BigSis x

[Clare.T]

Hi Connie
Yes the word 'malar' simply means on the cheeks. While the lupus rash is often on the cheeks, it can be other places too including the body. The proper term is "acute cutaneous" meaning associated with SLE, as opposed to subacute which is somewhat associated with systemic disease, or chronic cutaneous ( usually discoid) that isn't typically found with systemic disease.
I think that what I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be literally on the cheeks.

However, the malar rash is different from the other two in appearance, but malar rashes differ as well. For some people it is nothing more than a healthy blush and others it can be rather inflammed and sore looking like rosacea in some respects

Mine at the moment persists under my eyes as you'll see on the photos, a bit like what you describe although it isn't the 'malar' sort. Make sure you apply sun block thoroughly.

Are your eyelids OK, normal colour ?

Cheers
Clare

[BigSis]

Thanks Clare,
My eyelids are fine.
I think the rash is currently more noticable because I stupidly sat in the garden in the sun. It's October for heaven's sake!! Didn't expect a reaction at this time of year.
We learn by experience apparently.
BigSis (Bonnie x)

[julsie]

It's horrible to hear so many people suffering from itching.I've had rashes that get worse with heat and sun for years but I've always thought it was eczema,now I wonder.The only thing that has helped me is taking evening primrose oil and homeopathic sulphur tablets,maybe that will be of use to someone.
julsie

[Clare.T]

Hello Bonnie

I am sorry I got your name wrong :bow: :bow: :bow: - you can call me Blare 3 times to make up for my mistake.

You might not realise that UVA rays come through at the same intensity winter and summer, rain or shine and it's now known that some lupus sufferers are affected by them too, not just UVB.
Many photosensitive people like myself wear sun block all year round indoors and out because they can come through window glass, as part of our skin care regimes. I have been using an SPF 30 moisturiser in winter but have just decided I am going to stick to SPF50 with the UVA, as in summer. I even wear my hats on a bright winter's day (Get some funny looks but I can't care less )

You can get a good selection on prescription. I am pleased with the Australian " Sunsense" brand. It really isn't visible if you don't wear make up, not on a fair skin anyway.

All the best :)
Clare