Itch driving me nuts

[Cal66]

Does anyone else with lupus get split skin on finger tips, I have had it on & off for years, I can also see the raw skin layers as it happens or when it starts to heal

Also, but unconnected i cann' t stop scratching my right ankle, the itch then moves into my foot, my skin is dry as i have rubbed steroid cream & emolient cream on foot & leg, now my face is flushed ' the scratching is driving me nuts I also permaneintly take antihystamines

[KayHimm]

I don’t know if this is connected but I have itching when I go from hot water to cool air. It is part of my autonomic neuropathy. I also get the flushed face when the nerves go crazy when exposed to heat or other stimuli like chemicals. Do you have any other symptoms of neuropathy, nerve hypersensitivity or weird reactions to environmental stimuli? You might want to ask your GP for a neurology consult. These things can be really tricky and hard to diagnose. Do you have a photo of your flushing? Yes, itching can drive you crazy. If it is not a skin surface problem, though, the creams may not be helping. Good luck and hope they figure out the source of the problem. K

[Cal66 in reply to KayHimm]

Hi

Thanks for your advice, this last week the itching hasn't been as bad. I have been reading up on Neuropathy & feet, some of my symptoms does seem to be connected as I get burning pain in my heals and balls of my feet, I also have secondary Raynards disease. I was waiting for my Rhuematology appointment to mention it but don't know when that will be as I haven't been since July, so maybe I will try to see a doctor, only trouble is this new group of GP's don't know me as my GP has retired.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Cal66,

Have you ever been referred to a dermatologist for this symptom? Split skin on fingers can be caused by a range of different factors such as medication side-effects i.e. thinning of the skin, weather/temperature changes and allergic reactions. We published a booklet on lupus and the skin which you may find helpful - lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

The Lupus Encyclopedia provides helpful tips and information on how to treat dry/itchy skin which is listed below:

•Take shorter baths and showers

•Do not use soap on most body surfaces, except underarms and private areas

•After bathing or showering, pat the skin dry; do not rub (rubbing removes moisturising oils)

•Avoid using fabric softeners. They irritate dry skin.

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

Let us know how you get on, wishing you all the best!

[Teanna]

Hi,

I’ve not as yet been diagnosed with lupus but I do get an itch around the ears & inside my ears are really sore plus my ankles itch and split.

So I know exactly how you feel. I’m just waiting for a home visit from my GP but so far they have let me down twice now.

Good luck, I hope you find out what is causing it. Take care

Teanna

[Barbara17]

Hi. I have SCLE with secondary raynauds so my fingers and toes go white in cold weather (or air conditioning!) The last couple of weeks have been bad as the weather has been so cold and the tips of my fingers and toes have peeled and split. I try and keep my hands and feet as warm as possible and use hand cream several times through the day. I use a really heavy, sticky cream at night and sleep wearing gloves and socks. Also I avoid perfumed soap and shower gel. I find the Simple range is good. Or aloe Vera soap (which is quite hard to find in this country). My nails aren’t wonderful either but I have found a good treatment online which has stopped them flaking and splitting. Hope this helps.

[Cas70]

Hello, I have these splits in the skin on my finger tips and they can get very sore. It also happens on the sides of fingers and thumbs. Eventually a lovely chemist sold me Flexitol and said look for any cream that has Urea in it to calm skin. It worked fast! I now wear gloves for a lot of chores. I

gave up,on the heavy emollients as they were causing massive itching! I read that they can be too heavy. I now use Aveena or Nivea and have improved greatly. A good thing to use to ease itching is Tea Tree Oil or more expensive Dermacool- I get a two in one stick from Boots with Witch Hazel and Tea Tree, it is for insects bites and it is brilliant. I would stay off the anti histamines if you can. Steroids ? Have avoided them so far. There are a lot of simple old fashioned remedies out there but it is all trial an error until some proper help is made available. Hope this helps - good luck.

[Poshcards]

Hi, my thumbs split on insides and my skin just peels back from the tips all the time. I have had SLE for 26 years, so it must be a lupie thing x