itchy rash

[Lazybone520]

Hi, I've developed a very itchy rash all over my body. I'm just wondering, for those of you who have rashes (not the typical facial rash). Do they itch? I'm not sure if it's lupus related because it's not on parts of my body that were exposed to the sun. And i've been searching on the internet and lupus rash usually don't itch. What's going on? Can someone please give me some advice?

[cath]

Dear Lazybones,

Hi and welcome style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif . Nice to meet you...

You need to see your doctor - your Rheumatologist is probably the first to call, and they may refer you to a dermatologist.

There is one rash from Lupus that DOES itch. It is urticarial vasculitis.
My very first Lupus symptom was all over itching. It wasn't recognised for quite a while, but my rheumy has retrospectively changed the label from idiopathic urticaria to urticarial vasculitis after he made the SLE diagnosis. It can be really irritating, so I sympathise....

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/aww.gif

Of course I can't possibly say if this is what you have, you need a doctor for that style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbs-up.gif

There are other possibilities such as an allergy or mite bites (what does the rash look like?). Any changes in soaps or washing powders?

While you are waiting to see the doctor, try luke warm showers with non scented bath oil or moisturiser instead of soap, try a bath on oatmeal (unless you are allergic to it), calomine lotion.... Wear loose clothes made from natural fibers. I find they itch less inside out, so often wear my underwear inside out... (no-one sees it after all!)

Good luck at the doctors - I hope you get to the cause of the problem style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

X C X

[halfpintfl]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hi Lazy, and a very warm welcome to you. I know that you are not looking for
a lupus diagnosis, but , just an answer to your strange itch. I am diagnosed, but I can
tell you that the sun is the enemy of a lupus person, and I know this. So, one time
I went outside to take some camera shots, and I was all covered up, except my hands.
I was only out there for about 5 minutes, but boy, that was enough. I had the blisters
on my hands, which hurt and itched, but within an hour , all of me itched, with no
blisters. I saw my Rheumy, he said to Go see a Dermatologist, that skin was his
speciality. He was right, and I did. The Dermy knew just what to put on it, and later
when I had mouth sores, he knew what to give me that was safe enough to put
inside my mouth. Hope this helps.


Be well and keep posting. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif

[oohloo]

hi lazybones, nice to meet you. I had a red itchy, burny rash on the areas where i got most of the pain, (on the sides of my upper body, from under my arms to my thighs) it started about christmas time. My rumie referred me to a dermie, but just my luck it cleared up, the week i was due to go.
However i have been left with scarring from it, and i did show him, but was toild i neede to come back when it was bad. Typical !!!
At the moment it still itches and burns but it isnt red and sore like before, its almost as though its under the skin now.
I dont know if it is to do with the fibro, raynauds that i have been dx with, but, am also waiting for blood tests to be done for Lupus dx.
Go and see your GP for a referal to a Dermie, or ask your Rumie to get you an appointment.
Hope you get the help you need
Lou. xxx
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[Lazybone520]

Hey,

Sorry for my late reply. The itch was really bad that I couldn't sleep for two nights. I was really fustrated and frankly had no mood for anything. I went to a dermy yesterday and he gave me some cream and lotion to put on. Thank God the medication worked because I don't know what I'd do if I get zero sleep 3 nights in a row. The dermy said that it could be related to lupus but to make sure, he'd have to cut off part of my rash/skin to get tested. And it would leave a permanent mark. I made a face when he said that style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif and he said that he doesn't think it's necessary because either way, the treatment is the same (for the rash that is).

I'm better now but I'm going back to my rheumy tomorrow to see if we should increase my medication. At least till after my exams. I wonder if it was stressed that triggered the rash.

Thanks so much for all your advice.

Edith