Lupus and itching.

[Jeffscott69]

Does anyone have awful itch,iv tried everything,cant stand this,its wakening me up,now on sleeping tablets,its really debilitating.

[Hidden]

Hi there. I know the horrid itch. I have been given antihistamines with a sedative combined tablet that I take and also make sure skin well lubricated and body hydrated. It feels like ants inside your skin. Ive had to cut nails short to avoid scratching in my sleep because Ill make myself bleed. Ice packs apparently can help. I havent found them useful myself though

[willybear]

I have been suffering from an itchy rash covering my neck and back for 6 months now. I attended dermatology a few weeks ago and was told they could not determine if it was connected to Lupus. I was given a steroid cream, told to moisturise thoroughly, wear cotton gloves in bed to stop scratching and sent on my way. I guess it is just something i will have to live with as it doesn't seem to be going away. The cream helps for a while but it returns as bad as ever when I stop using it. I really sympathise with you as it is horrible living with this.

[AimeeA]

Itching can be caused by multiple things. It could be a skin rash where cortisones/anti-histamines may help, but it could also be dehydration where you need more water (drinking more and/or humidifiers) or it could be neurological symptoms (nerve damage) that can get treated with meds, or an allergic reaction to a medication or something you eat or are exposed to.

So you might want to discuss with your doctor.

[Jeffscott69 in reply to AimeeA]

Thankyou

[bridhendo]

Hi my daughter has had an itch for 6 months now progressively getting worst very stressful no rash she is only a year diagnosed seen a dermatologist started her on 3 antihistamines and new mint based cream defo has helped the intensity of it but they think it is the lupus drug hydroxychloroquine she is on 200mg twice a day along with lots of other drugs they r just monitoring it now reviewing her monthly I hope this helps

[Jeffscott69 in reply to bridhendo]

Thankyou im on 400mg hydroxychloroquine,take fexofenadine and put dermacool cream on,itch drives me nuts,got sleeping tabs from doc as a backup as iv seen me having 2hrs sleep at night with it,really debilitating.

[bridhendo in reply to Jeffscott69]

The night tablet is hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax) 10mg defo has helped she was been woke by the itch every night it also a antihistamine still think the hydroxychloroquine mayb the problem it’s not easy for her dealing with this and trying to live a normal life 21 years old on 14 tablets a day her wee life has been turned upside down in the last year but fingers crossed it will improve hope this helps thanks if something changes I will message u hope u get urs under control. 😊

[Jeffscott69 in reply to bridhendo]

Thankyou,thats a shame at 21 and copeing with this,had another night awake with itch,going to ask gp for attarax,

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Jeffscott69,

Have you spoken to your GP or rheumatologist about this?

There are a number of steroid creams and ointments that can be used to treat rashes that range from mild to strong which you can discuss with your GP or Rheumatologist. Also, he/she may refer you to a dermatologist if required.

Skin involvement is common in lupus, with 60-70% of people with lupus reporting some skin problem. You may like to have a read of our guide on lupus and the skin which here: lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u... .

We published an article on our blog about coping with itchy rashes; the article contains helpful tips and information which you can read here lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-... .

Please keep us updated, wishing you all the best.

[Jeffscott69]

Iv read your blog,thankyou,my gp not clued up on lupus,im going to call rheumy today,took a sleeping tablet last night as just needed peace from the itch,its like something crawling under my skin,really driving me nuts.