Scalp rash with lupus

[Aurali]

Hi all, just a random question....does anyone else an itchy scalp rash with lupus? Thanks guys. 💕

[Penguintaz]

Hi Aurali

My honest answer is I don't know. I suffer with excma as well and I believe this mainly causes my dry scalp but then it could be exaggerated upon by lupus or the treatment for it. However since starting my lupus treatment all my excma symptoms have basically gone away (mild rash on my hands or face rarely but they come into contact with the most allergins).

My scalp is dry from time to time, I have not been told it is lupus related, only excma related. Is it worse for you during flare ups? Is it itchy as well or just the dry flakeness?

[Aurali in reply to Penguintaz]

Thanks for your reply 😀

It's like itchy spots, my gp has given me betnovate scalp lotion which does calm it down & yes does appear when I'm unwell.

[Penguintaz in reply to Aurali]

Then I think it could be! Just keep looking after it, I found T-gel helped me

[Aurali in reply to Penguintaz]

Ok great, thank you I'll give that a try 😀

[Wendy39]

Hello

Yes! Is the short answer.

The long answer is, I have had eczema and dry skin since birth basically. I also had asthma and allergies. My Dad's side of the family had asthma and eczema. So Atopic illnesses.

But before my lupus diagnosis, in 2013, aged 39, I had experienced various scalp problems. I had a sore on the crown of my head, that wouldn't heel, it was weepy and crusty. Then I got this rash at the nape of my neck, left side. My head felt like I had really bad nits. My whole head was "crawling". I have 3 children and was working in a school at that time. I would comb my hair every night with a nit comb, convinced I had nits. I never found anything though. It was an annoying symptom and I couldn't work it out. Until I got the lupus diagnosis and started to piece all of my symptoms together. I am photosensitive and so a lot of my scalp problems were due to sun exposure. I also get an itchy head when I am getting hair loss. Luckily for me the patches have been small and not noticeable. I have had hair thinning too. When I saw the first dermatologist, (it was her last day and I didn't know that then) she told me it was nothing to do with my lupus and probably a chemical burn from dying my hair at home myself. She was very dismissive. She didn't pass me onto any one else and I got left out in the dark with my skin issues. The various scalp applications I tried never seemed to work. Then the rash spread. It went to the right side of my neck and head. Anyway, a few years later I struck gold with a different dermatologist (he also left after 9 months!). He biopsied the rash on my neck and it showed that I had active SLE. The rash wasn't a chemical burn. It wasn't eczema or psoriasis. Basically, the only thing that has made that rash better is getting my medications right for my lupus. No creams work. It has to be treated from the inside. I know take 400mg hydroxychloroquine a day, 3g of MMF a day and 3 x 50mg of mepacrine a week. The mepacrine was added for skin issues and I've been on it about 18 months now. My rash is finally clearing up. I never wore my hair up, as the rash was unsightly. But now it's cleared up from my neck and is only above my hair line. It's much smaller and it is not red raw and weepy. It's more dry now. I still get an itchy head. But nowhere near as bad as before.

I hope that all makes sense.

If you have any more questions, I am happy to help if I can.

Best wishes

Wendy

[Aurali in reply to Wendy39]

Thank you Wendy, thats really helpful. Mine starts off as itchy lumps which then scab.

My meds have just been increased to 400mg hydroxychloroquine so will see if I get any improvement.

Thanks again for your help & take care.

[GERY in reply to Wendy39]

Hi Wendy39. Thank you for your answer to Aurali which describes my itchy scalp & rashes. I also had these symptoms many years before finally being referred to a Consultant Dermatologist who did a biopsy on the rash on my back which confirmed Discoid Lupus. I had waited from the age of 29 until aged 50 before being referred & getting a diagnosis & I am now aged 76 so I would say to anyone keep pushing your GP for a referral. Best wishes to you

[Wendy39 in reply to GERY]

Thank you! It’s always good to help people here, no matter how little. And yes, I agree. We know when something is wrong with our bodies so go with your gut feeling and ask for help. x

[GERY]

Hi Aurali. Yes I have discoid lupus and suffer with itchy rashes on my scalp and hair loss. I have tried many remedies but the only that helped was the steroid gel Synalar prescribed by a consultant dermatologist. Hope this info helps. Sending my best wishes

[Aurali in reply to GERY]

Hi Gery, I may ask my consultant to test. My dr prescribes betnovate lotion which does eventually clear it up.

Its good to get other opinions so thank you & take care.

[Greentomatoes]

Hi Aurali,

I have itchy skin, I presume caused by my SLE. My scalp can itch but I don’t have a rash. Hope it eases for you soon🙏🏻