Itching

[randa_lupie]

Does anyone itch ferociously? What do you take? How long does it last?

[Hidden]

YES! I’ve itched so bad I wanted to scratch to my bone! My knock use to get just awful. The allergist put me on a corticosteroid cream. The problem is you have to be careful not to overuse because it thins your skin (aging) and you have to keep it away from your mouth, nostrils and eyes, and make sure you wash your hands well before touching anything.

Your doctor will need to Rx it, but I can give you the name of what I use if you like.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi randa_lupie,

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing extremely itchy skin at the moment. Have you seen a dermatologist about this?

We published a blog article on coping with itchy rashes which you may find helpful - lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...

Please let us know how you get on, best wishes!

[Lizziequink]

Hi, I do but usually only after a shower and it last about 20 mins. I take an anti-histamine before showering but it doesn't make any difference. My GP said it may be because I use water that's too hot but lowering the temperature doesn't make any difference either.

[MissusTee in reply to Lizziequink]

Are you on hydroxychloroquine? Aquatic pruritis is a side effect.

[Lizziequink in reply to MissusTee]

I'm not MissusTee. My consultant put me on it when I was initially diagnosed with RA but I couldn't tolerate it. Thanks for asking though.

[Hope1011]

I had a really bad itch when they checked the blood. My liver enzymes were up. I was prescribed steroids which got rid of the itch.

[field]

Hi ya,

I get this all over at times, it usually happens when i am in a flare or when i take certain meds. It also happens when i eat foods that have a high immune boosting factor. It usually calms down or goes away When i stop taking the offending substance or when the flare subsides.

[CecilyParsley]

Oh yes. I have been known to scratch at myself with a hair brush, rub up and down against a door frame like a sheep. My skin hair and nails are dry. I use Diprobase from my neck to my feet twice a day and take antihistamines twice daily. I still itch. I am unsure whether it is my thyroid or just an extension of my dry eyes and dry mouth. I hope you find something that works for you x

[BeingStrong]

Sorry to hear about your itching, I itch as well especially when I'm going through inflares. I have been on antihistamine (fexofenadine) even before I was diagnosed.

I recently purchased the Lupus Book and one of the extracts for itching is

" At some point in the course of the disease 10 percent of patients with systemic lupus will develop hives. This is one of the few skin rashes of lupus that itch. Most cases are related to coincidental allergic reactions, but an uncommon form

of lupus may be associated with lupus urticaria. Most of these patients have deficiencies in certain blood complement components. For unclear reasons, lupus patients have an increased incidence of allergies in general. Lupus urticaria is managed with antihistamines—H1 blockers such as hydroxyzine (Atarax, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl) and H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Zantac)—antiserotonin drugs (Periactin), cyclosporin (Neoral), and steroids.

Wallace, Daniel J.. The Lupus Book (p. 74). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.

Hope that helps