Is it malar rash?

[IgnoranceSound]

I am having this rash lately.

[SurferGuy]

Possibly. Possibly not. Have you been out in the sun? Does it sting or burn?

I get this kind of mark a fair bit and all year round. Dr's have never been able to suss out whether its a malar rash, sun burn or my eczema. From what I've been told, malaria rashes don't sting or burn, so you can maybe figure it out from here.

Use a bit of Aveeno or similar cream on it for a few days and see how it goes.

[IgnoranceSound in reply to SurferGuy]

No. It doesn't hurt, it's not dry, soethimes I feel heat there but it going away. No, I haven't been in the sun. I was havig that rash a while ago but it's coming back. It only appears on my nose and sides of nose, kind of like you wear glasses and there is spot there but mine is much bigger and really red (you can't see it on the picture).

[SurferGuy in reply to IgnoranceSound]

Yup. The 'glasses mark without having worn glasses'! I have that pretty much all the time. It might be worth speaking with your GP or rhuematologist about this . Have you been given a mild steroid cream ever?

[IgnoranceSound in reply to SurferGuy]

Yup, been using steroid for that but it only whitens my skin there for one day. Do you have lupus? Can I have only skin lupus?

[IgnoranceSound in reply to SurferGuy]

I have been diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (only by cold feets and hands, this butterfly rash and leg pains + really small amount of antibodies). Now I discoveted that those symptoms are from thyroid! but this rash worries me. Maybe I do have it...or lupus

[KayHimm in reply to IgnoranceSound]

You can have UCTD and thyroid disease. Many of us do. I have photo sensitivity, rashes and now the malar rash. I still have UCTD. You should show the rash to your doctor. If it looks like a rash consistent with lupus they may describe you as “lupus-like.”

So confusing, right? We all have our own colors. What I do see in your rash is that is clearly delineated, doesn’t look like flushing. So you need to show your doctors.

XK

[IgnoranceSound in reply to KayHimm]

I kinda feel blood pressure on my face and then getting this rash (I feel hot sensation on this rash). I don't know if I should do ANA antibodies or if it's worthless? What if my ANA will show no antibodies but rash will still be visible? I really don't have any other symptoms of lupus. I am going to doctor soon as they will 'open' hospitals.

[KayHimm in reply to IgnoranceSound]

What tests were done when you had the UCTD? Doctors will look at your total picture. Just because your ANA is negative at one moment it doesn’t completely negate a prior diagnosis.

Do you have any other symptoms? Fever? Joint pain? Muscle aches?

[IgnoranceSound in reply to KayHimm]

No, I only have this rash. No fever, no joint pain, no muscle aches. I did ANA 6 years ago but in hospital they said to just observe it for now since antibodies were totally low. I do have symptoms of low functioning thyroid and low cortisol (trying to treat it right now).

[KayHimm in reply to IgnoranceSound]

That is usually what they mean to “observe” it. These illnesses evolve. I was on “watch.” A rash was what caused the rheumatologist to decide I definitely had autoimmune disease.

You should at least take the photos to your GP.

Glad you feel good.

[SurferGuy in reply to KayHimm]

I also agree. When I wasn't certain of some rashes (I've had a few) I'd always take picture as by the time I saw my rhumy (even after my 'little game post, I still can't spell the darned word) the rash would've gone!

[IgnoranceSound in reply to SurferGuy]

Dang, good I took pic because my rash is almost gone

but it's coming back anyway

Do you have like that too? Is it normal in that disease?

[KayHimm in reply to SurferGuy]

I agree!

[KayHimm]

Would you consider going privately to see a dermatologist? A dermatologist is the best person to diagnose the rash. The information will be very important for the rheumatologist for when you do get the appointment.

Maybe explain to the receptionist what the situation is. You really need to get an appointment when you have the rash. Not easy to do, I know.

[IgnoranceSound in reply to KayHimm]

Thank you. Yes I will go Right now need to find good endocrynologist because my fatigue doesn't let me function (low cortisol).

[KayHimm in reply to IgnoranceSound]

The NHS should have you on a priority list for that, no?

[IgnoranceSound in reply to KayHimm]

They really don't care. Telling me to do private tests that doesn't even matter. I am begging endocrinology department to take me for deeper tests + this virus complicates everything

[KayHimm in reply to IgnoranceSound]

Actually, the virus complicates everything but it doesn’t change the need to take care of all patients. You should ask why they don’t want to do the tests. Before COVID, I had an abnormal ACTH level. The endocrinologist was called that day and additional tests were run. Even now, I think I would receive the treatment.

They do care. There have been numerous articles in newspapers in the US about the need for patients to not hesitate to call their primary care providers. Their job is to keep everyone healthy and out of the hospital.

Please get an explanation. If you need endocrine tests, you should get them.