I have posted in the new arrivals forum but would really appreciate opinions on this. I have had a scalp and face rash for 8 weeks now. I am a male aged 54. My ana was positive at 1:80 (speckled pattern) but I passed all other blood and urine tests and also a chest x ray, my rhematoid test was also negative.. I am in no pain regarding joints and no tiredness..in fact apart from the rash and an upset stomach.. relatively well. I did notice some time ago flaky skin on my eyebrows which then progressed to a milar rash..after that my scalp and face turned pink. I believe I may have a yeast infection (I'll rephrase that..I pray I have a yeast infection)..because my tongue has a whitish layer. I am therefore drinking yakult every morning and eating yoghurt by the ton. I have been taking a zyrtek anti histamine tablet each morning which stops the burning sensation. I feel a little better but the rash persists. I have attached a photo of my face (try not to be too scared)...and would appreciate anyone's views. I have suggested seborrheic dermatitis to my doc but he wants me to see a rheumy first. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply....
Worried but awaiting rheumy appt.
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Hello Borodin
I'd say the chances of you having lupus are very slim indeed. In fact I am amazed that your GP is referring you to a rheumatologist, considering there is apparently only a very low positive ANA ,which can be from multiple causes or none, and a skin rash, which also could be from various causes. Perhaps he thinks that ANA is somehow diagnostic for lupus but if 95% of those with lupus have a positive ANA, 95% of those with a positive ANA do not have lupus.
Leaving aside the stomach problems and furred tongue, which are not especially associated with lupus, there do not seem to be any other indications for lupus at all either symptoms, in blood work or urine.
It is really hard to distinguish rashes from photos sometimes even for specialists, as photos are two dimensional and don't show details like scaliness. For what my comments are worth, which isn't much, it doesn't look like a lupus rash to me - I suppose because it seems to be in places that aren't usually affected by lupus skin such as the folds between nose and cheeks that run down the sides of the mouth, on the neck folds and bridge of nose, areas that are not affected so much by sun. Eyelids aren't that often affected either.
I'd have thought a dermatologist would be the first obvious port of call and while waiting continue investigations of the thrush theory, seborrheic dermatitis, and suitable treatments. You might want to avoid the sun and protect yourself from it.
I sure wouldn't be losing any sleep about having lupus.
Best of Luck - please let us know how you get on
Clare
I'd say the chances of you having lupus are very slim indeed. In fact I am amazed that your GP is referring you to a rheumatologist, considering there is apparently only a very low positive ANA ,which can be from multiple causes or none, and a skin rash, which also could be from various causes. Perhaps he thinks that ANA is somehow diagnostic for lupus but if 95% of those with lupus have a positive ANA, 95% of those with a positive ANA do not have lupus.
Leaving aside the stomach problems and furred tongue, which are not especially associated with lupus, there do not seem to be any other indications for lupus at all either symptoms, in blood work or urine.
It is really hard to distinguish rashes from photos sometimes even for specialists, as photos are two dimensional and don't show details like scaliness. For what my comments are worth, which isn't much, it doesn't look like a lupus rash to me - I suppose because it seems to be in places that aren't usually affected by lupus skin such as the folds between nose and cheeks that run down the sides of the mouth, on the neck folds and bridge of nose, areas that are not affected so much by sun. Eyelids aren't that often affected either.
I'd have thought a dermatologist would be the first obvious port of call and while waiting continue investigations of the thrush theory, seborrheic dermatitis, and suitable treatments. You might want to avoid the sun and protect yourself from it.
I sure wouldn't be losing any sleep about having lupus.
Best of Luck - please let us know how you get on
Clare
Thank you Clare...
Your reply is much appreciated. My doctor does seem to have given a knee jerk reaction and looking on this site a reading of 1:80 is usually considered negative. I have washed my scalp and face with Nizoral today and after a slight stinging my skin dried tight and I have powdery skin now on my scalpline, centre of my forhead and either side of the top of my nose directly under my eyebrow, at the bottom of my nostrils and on my neck. The skin also looks shiny and scaly under the light. I do have a sensation in my throat that is difficult to describe but if I have an oral yeast infection then I suppose that may be a symptom. Fingers crossed.
Let you know.
Your reply is much appreciated. My doctor does seem to have given a knee jerk reaction and looking on this site a reading of 1:80 is usually considered negative. I have washed my scalp and face with Nizoral today and after a slight stinging my skin dried tight and I have powdery skin now on my scalpline, centre of my forhead and either side of the top of my nose directly under my eyebrow, at the bottom of my nostrils and on my neck. The skin also looks shiny and scaly under the light. I do have a sensation in my throat that is difficult to describe but if I have an oral yeast infection then I suppose that may be a symptom. Fingers crossed.
Let you know.
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3,033 Posts
Hi
welcome
ive seen your photo im not a doctor nor do i pretend to be but my father had lupus the dle one which affects skin on his fcae,scalp,neck,behind ears.they did test him for a yeast thingy but was a no and so they did biopsy for dle version lupus which was postive hes now 70 diagnsoed 3 years ago but has no internet access.
he see a dermatolagist only and uses prescribed sunblock,hat and steriod cream for big flares.
i have same test result and have had more in depth test done and going back to my rheumy in novemebr for those results.
i would say see them rheumy it can be very mild form lupus,like my father has.
i however have joint pains and joint inflamtion consitenly for many eyars but worse over last 3 years.
i was diagnsoed sero negative rheumatoid arthritis my rheumy says may have made mistake and have lupus of some form or both.
please do consider to see the specialst for matter of illimination if nothing else.
also not everyone knows there are 2 types of rheumtoid arthritis and a gp doesnt know this.
there is postive rheumtoid factor ra and negative ra
1 )the postive one has larger joint damage risk,larger inflamtion levels,red swellings of joints.
2)the negative has some inflammation,some joint swelling,pain but less erosion of joints treated same way just 1 more agressive than other and the sero negatvie can change to postive in some people. i have sero negative ra which means i dont show up postive for rheumatoid factor only a rheumatoalgist would know to look for this,mine was based on symtoms,family history very strong and blood results.
this is a recent finding over last 15 eyars i was diagnosed age 18 and at that time no name of sero negtive found so said i had inflammatory arthritis and treated me same as ra patient.
lol hope i havnt waffled.
lv countrylass
welcome
ive seen your photo im not a doctor nor do i pretend to be but my father had lupus the dle one which affects skin on his fcae,scalp,neck,behind ears.they did test him for a yeast thingy but was a no and so they did biopsy for dle version lupus which was postive hes now 70 diagnsoed 3 years ago but has no internet access.
he see a dermatolagist only and uses prescribed sunblock,hat and steriod cream for big flares.
i have same test result and have had more in depth test done and going back to my rheumy in novemebr for those results.
i would say see them rheumy it can be very mild form lupus,like my father has.
i however have joint pains and joint inflamtion consitenly for many eyars but worse over last 3 years.
i was diagnsoed sero negative rheumatoid arthritis my rheumy says may have made mistake and have lupus of some form or both.
please do consider to see the specialst for matter of illimination if nothing else.
also not everyone knows there are 2 types of rheumtoid arthritis and a gp doesnt know this.
there is postive rheumtoid factor ra and negative ra
1 )the postive one has larger joint damage risk,larger inflamtion levels,red swellings of joints.
2)the negative has some inflammation,some joint swelling,pain but less erosion of joints treated same way just 1 more agressive than other and the sero negatvie can change to postive in some people. i have sero negative ra which means i dont show up postive for rheumatoid factor only a rheumatoalgist would know to look for this,mine was based on symtoms,family history very strong and blood results.
this is a recent finding over last 15 eyars i was diagnosed age 18 and at that time no name of sero negtive found so said i had inflammatory arthritis and treated me same as ra patient.
lol hope i havnt waffled.
lv countrylass
Hi there
I don't think many lupies get away with having no pain or fatigue, but perhaps its early days for you.
I'm surprised the yeast thingy has not been addressed. A simple skin or throat swab should diagnose it and treatment is fairly swift.
I also believe that chronic yeast infections are fairly unusual in otherwise healthy males.
Good luck in your quest.
I don't think many lupies get away with having no pain or fatigue, but perhaps its early days for you.
I'm surprised the yeast thingy has not been addressed. A simple skin or throat swab should diagnose it and treatment is fairly swift.
I also believe that chronic yeast infections are fairly unusual in otherwise healthy males.
Good luck in your quest.
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