Lupus rash or something else?

[Kmeyer]

Is this a lupus rash? It's moving up my arms and now on my neck

[SHEILWEIL]

Hi, that looks like hives from an allergic reaction. Does it itch? Is your tongue swollen or mouth itchy?

[Kmeyer in reply to SHEILWEIL]

It does itch, but my mouth isn't itchy or swollen. I was given cortisol cream to try first

[SHEILWEIL in reply to Kmeyer]

Did you try taking Benedryl?

[Kmeyer]

Yes I took benadryl for two nights and it didn't seem to help. I have had this rash for a about 4 days and it's slowly getting worse. I went to the doctor today and he just gave me a steroid cream to try over the weekend.

[AgedCrone]

Did your doctor tell you to stop using soap? A lot of rashes that start on hands & arms are caused by soap. Ask your pharmacist.....they often get straight to the point by thinking outside the box......doctors tend to think "what can I prescribe"?

You can buy creams that you use instead of soap which are very effective.

Also use rubber gloves any time you put your hands in water....when I first moved to NY I had an intolerance to the water.....but only on my hands & after a few months it subsided.

[Kmeyer in reply to AgedCrone]

I recently had a baby so i have been washing my hands a lot! I going to try these things you suggested. Thank you!

[sarahsch]

Hi kmeyer,

I used to have this rash, like a heat rash, on my hands before I was medicated. It was very itchy & would stop me sleeping.

Never found out what it was. Eventually just went away. I found using cold packs was the only thing that helped with the itching.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Sarah x

[Kmeyer in reply to sarahsch]

Why are you being medicated?

[sarahsch in reply to Kmeyer]

Replied with personal message.

[leslieliesel]

Perhaps you could ask for a skin biopsy of your rash...that is how I was dx'd

[Biloxi]

My rash looked very much like that, but it started on my chest and moved up to my shoulders, then arms. I had a skin biopsy, and it came back as Discoid Lupus. It's an abnormal response from the sun, or for me it is. Try staying out of the sun, wear natural sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), and wear long sleeves to experiment.

I've heard pregnancy can trigger it, but so can medications, stress, genetics, ect... In some cases it can be easily reversed (if it's from a medicine). Have you started or changed up any medications?

[Kmeyer in reply to Biloxi]

No I have not changed medications but my son is very sick so I am under lots of stress. Did you have any other symtopms or just this rash and did any creams work to clear it up?

[Biloxi]

A steroid cream cleared it up witin 2 weeks. The dermatologist I went to wrote a prescription for it.

I know it might sound a little strange, but my dr. suggested I try a cream for diaper rash. She says it helps the skin heal itself. It works pretty well on my eczema. I only have 1 bump left of my lupus rash, and I think it might be a scar.

I think it's easier to get rid of the rash soon after getting it. I've let some of the bumps stay around for months, and they are difficult to get rid of. It's almost like I need something stronger each time to get rid of.

I hope you find what works for you, and that your son makes a speedy recovery!

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Kmeyer ,

I'm afraid that we are not medically qualified here, so we're not able to say whether your rash could be caused by lupus or something else. Have you shown it to your doctor yet?

If you'd like more information about skin involvement in lupus, we have a booklet which you can read/download at lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

[Kmeyer in reply to Paul_Howard]

Yes, I have seen my doctor. Thank you for the information