Hello. I am new on here. I was diagnosed with Lupus along with copd and osteoarthritis.
I'm just wondering if anyone out there has ever had a itching rash, that can't be eased by itching it. It feels like ants under my skin. My rumatoligst said it was a reaction of the sun. Dr put me on a steroid and script of hydrocortisone. It didn't help ! Any suggestions?????
Complete sunblock everyday all year round is the only thing that worked for me as even indoor lighting affects me. It's a nuisance but sure it will help to keep the wrinkles at bay too!! Hope this helps 😊
Thank you for your response. I do use SPF 50, I still get the itchy rash. I'm so sick of this. I have to wear long sleeves, year round. My arms are a mess and I feel bad when people stare at me.
Where is the itching? 1 of my arms is like that at moment, has been for a few weeks. I'm using eurax cream and piriton at night and putting a bandage on as I'm scratching till I bleed. I have gp appt Tues and am going to mention it to her. If I get advice I'll pass it on.
My itching is on both arms. I've had three bad bouts with it. I scratch till I bleed and I am full of scars. I've been to my doctor and nothing helps. I even went to my rheumatologist, she wants me to see a dermatologist. It been put on steroids, strong coridasone creams, allergy meds and nothing helps. The bouts usually last a couple weeks. By then I'm a bloody mess and lots of soars.
Iv had this, I could have won the all England scratching competition. I do use the suncream but the best solution has been to stay indoors. I use cloudy and rainy days as cover when I need to go out. I know the uv light penetrates through clouds but mostly I'm ok. How much Plaquenil do you take?
Hello linda96,
I take 40mg of plaquenil.
Do you thin that maybe, that has something to do with the flair ups ?
I wear long sleeves, all the time. I have to go outside, because I work, but I also wear SPF 50 sunscreen.
How long do your flare ups last? Mine last for a week or two, then another few weeks to heal.
Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to know that it's not psychological. I sometimes think my primary care Dr., thinks I'm crazy 🙁
Hi, pls can you check that amount of 40mg. It should be 400mg. Plaquenil is 200mg tablets 1 X 2 times a day. Most people are on that dose. Children take just 1 tablet a day of 200mg.
My exhusband used to go on all the time at me scratching, but once I was on the 400mg it's nowhere near so bad these days.
I've had this too unfortunately, but I do something that you can try but I wouldn't recommend if you're really poorly.
I take antihistamines but I'm on the one a day, but I take 3 every morning and to have a shower I have to take 9 of them just to stop itching.
It got to the stage where one wasn't working or doing anything and I just upped it gradually to where I am now. I would say I don't have any itching attacks like I did, I have the odd one but nothing like I was.
I'm also on balneum cream and Betnovate Cream from the doctors too as well as the antihistamines. I've also been using a vitamin e gel which has calmed my skin down a lot too.
I hope this helps. I would say my gp knows I overdoses on the antihistamines so be careful and only up it gradually.
HI CINDYV. I AM 74 & STARTED WITH LUPUS WHEN 26. I WAS IN LONG REMISSION UNTIL 3 YEARS AGO AND NOW HAVE A REALLY BAD FLAIR. YES I UNDERSTAND THE ITCHING LIKE ANTS CRAWLING UNDER YOUR SKIN. I HAVE BALD PATCHES ON MY HEAD. MANY YEARS AGO I WAS PRESCRIBED SYNALAR GEL A CORTIICOSTEROID WHICH I STILL USE BUT IT DOES THIN YOUR SKIN. I HAVE FOUND PIRITON IN LIQUID FORM VERY GOOD TO STOP THE ITCHING. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN TO WEARING COTTON GLOVES IN BED TO TRY PREVENTING SCRATCHING. I HOPE YOUR DR SORTS YOU OUT SOON.
Thank you Gery,
I'm sorry your going through all the itching too. Does yours flare up then last for up to a month ? How often are your flare ups ?
I will ask my doctor about the creams you use, if they work for you I'll try it. I am desperate, when the crawler sensation comes back. It's slow insanity.
Thank you for responding to my post. I'll pray that you feel better.
Cindy 😊
I get this type of itch on my calfs and nothing seems to work, I itch until I bleed them it takes weeks to heel 😔
I'm so sorry your going through the crazy itching too. I get it on both arms. When mine flares up, I itch the skin off, bleed and get scabby soars. The last flare up, I got a staph infection. It was so painful.
Hi, check out panniculitis. I get it that too and scratched until my calves bled. Panniculitis is another lupus side symptom.
I'm 64 and it used to be the bane of my life but it isn't so bad now. The lupus apparently reduces in severity as you get older, and Iv found that is correct.
Hi there
I am sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues with your skin. We have produced an information leaflet on the effect of lupus on skin and hair which you can access or request on our website at lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u....
You might also find these blog posts useful lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...
and lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...
If what your doctor has prescribed does not help, please don’t hesitate to go back to see them to discuss the problem further.
Thank you for the information. I investigate the websites 😊
Re: Itching and skin pain
Hair loss ? :-( 
Itchy flakey skin.
Depigmentation of my skin
rash itching driving me nuts help x
