Hello! I posted last week as have just been diagnosed with UCTD. I had a malar rash last week (rheum is pretty sure it’s malar rash). Left my skin feeling v tight and uncomfortable. Just went to the shop now to get some CeraVe after my previous thread asking for skincare recommendation. Now I have straight away come up in a boiling hot rash and am absolutely exhausted, can barely stay awake 😔
So my question is, is this also a malar rash which has been triggered by the moisturiser (can that happen or is malar rash always triggered by sunlight?). Or is this just an extra allergy? And what in the world is gentler than CeraVe?? Should have just used my aloe Vera plant. CeraVe so expensive too! 😭😭
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AcheyAnnie
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me again 😄 rash has gone so pretty sure it was allergic as it was immediate and went after a few hours and a nap. Glad it's gone! Just getting to grips with this whole autoimmune shebang. This was definitely different to my autoimmune rash.
The Malar Rash I have is the typical butterfly shape across my cheeks & nose; I have it all year round but it is brighter & more raging red in the warmer weather when I spend a lot more time outdoors. I am outside pretty much everyday all year round as I have a dog which gets walked in all weathers! I’ve also been out in the garden today, sweeping, cleaning windows & tidying around after the awful cold spell. My cheeks are red from the cold but it isn’t my usual Malar Rash.
I’m far from being an expert but your photo looks like the CeraVe simply doesn’t suit your skin - I’ve spent £££s trying to find facial moisturisers etc which don’t irritate my skin. Expensive face creams end up being used as foot or hand cream!
As a face moisturiser my skin will tolerate some of the products in the L’Oreal range. Eg, Triple active day cream for dry/sensitive skin - it has UV filters & triple active night cream. I can also use L’Oreal Revitalift with SPF 30 but at £12.50 a pot, I look out for it when it’s on offer. Last week in Sainsbury’s it was £6.50 so I bought 2 - I prefer the higher SPF for sunnier days. Not every cream in the L’Oreal range suits my skin, some really sting & I have to wash them off immediately - it’s trial & error. I’ll find one that’s ok & use it for a while with no problems then suddenly it’s not ok - perhaps the formula gets changed.
I sympathise with you as it’s expensive & frustrating. The moisturisers I buy are cheap in comparison with some that are double & triple the price but I won’t pay that much as they’re far too pricey.
Hope you find something that doesn’t aggravate and doesn’t cost the earth x
Well Said !👏👏👏👏 , eg my infant onset lupus began as the rare cutaneous form”chilblain lupus erythematosus” and, over the decades, segued into SLE, as cutaneous lupus tends to do. Have spent 69 years trying to find OTC & prescription skin products I can tolerate…tried SO MANY diff types inc standards like Aveeno…anyway, gave Cerave products a go last year & they suit my skin better than any other product range yet. For what it’s worth, the other topicals that agree with my skin are Dermol 500 (antimicrobial emollient alternative to soaps) & the Weleda Calendula range 🤷🏼♀️…I could go on, but: yes, our versions of reactivity really do tend to be highly individual…& Yet another eg: my skin hates Aloe Vera in any form…
AcheyAnnie: hope you figure this out soon 💞💞💞💞 Coco
Thanks 😊, you clearly get it ….. Just goes to show all our bodies are different & what suits one doesn’t suit another! I too use Dermol 500 lotion without ill effect - I get it on prescription as I have a Prepayment Certificate but it can be purchased over the counter. It is a brilliant body moisturiser even if it takes a while to rub in! I swim so use it to wash with after as well, but it does make the shower floor very slippy.
You’ve clearly put a lot of effort & spent lots of money over a long period of time testing out an array of products; that takes patience, persistence & determination as you’ve been dealing with it for all those years. It can be so frustrating, depressing & soul destroying…….
Often, I find that the products which claim to be for sensitive skin are the worst, eg Sanex & Aveeno. I’ve not yet tried the Weleda Calendula range, so thanks for that suggestion x
To AcheyAnnie, hopefully (eventually) you will find what your skin can tolerate x
I LOVE your take on all this❣️ AND you make me chuckle! Have been thinking about using Dermol 500 in the shower, so v glad you’ve mentioned it gives the slipperies (I can’t safely swim or take baths…ever since my Lichen Sclerosus was diagnosed many moons ago)…my nhs dermatologist prescribed the D500 a few years ago for washing my severe Raynaud’s reperfusion injury feet (am on scleroderma protocol highest dose sildenafil), which I do in the bidet. Have relied on Calendula baby shower & shampoo/body wash for decades after learn8ng about it in an LS support org forum, but been thinking could switch to D500 in the shower, just to save pennies 🤷🏼♀️. My dermy calls D500 her magical secret 😆 potion.
Aveeno is my early onset Crohns husband’s old reliable (hus skin is very affected), but aveeno does nothing for me
Yes: you’re v perceptive: my ma raised us to concentrate on trual ,& error self help & lifestyle management…she was so anti-doctors that she kept my infancy lupus diagnosis secret until the multisystem debilitation had progressed so far that the NHS figured it out (long story) so I got into good diet & exercise habits v early, + am an old hippy who naturally began yoga, TM, Alexander etc in my early teens…& went on to Pilates, Tai Chi (only v slow beginners version) etc.
I too have used baby lotion, baby soap & baby shampoo for years pre diagnosis of SLE Lupus by Consultant Rheumatologist (June 2022), I just thought I had sensitive skin & these were the only products which didn’t irritate me.
I use Dermol 500 as a shampoo too & endeavour to rub it into my sore, itchy scalp; It helps with dry hair after swimming & is really a multipurpose product, indeed a ‘magical secret potion!” Even after towel drying my hair, if it feels a bit coarse I pat Dermol over it. I don’t have good hair though, it’s very thin & I’ve lost a lot of it. Had shingles aged 16 ( brought on by stress of O’levels) & my long, thick, wavy hair started to fall out; my wise, hairdresser Mum cut it shorter & now it’s very short. The gym I go to has 2 swimming pools, one is extremely warm plus they have an amazing Hyrdo Therapy pool which is beneficial for me with all my joint & orthopaedic ailments and therapeutic for my Husband who has awful Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Incidentally, the swimming instructor there has Lupus, but she manages the hours spent in the pool by smearing herself in coconut oil prior to putting on her rash vest & wet suit!
I have recently seen a Dermatologist & am awaiting biopsies for troublesome scalp & skin lesions on hands, arms & face. In fact she disputes the Rheumatologist’s diagnosis of SLE Lupus - it’s one big merry go round! I also have Raynaud’s…..
I too do Yoga & have done so for well over 30 years, diagnosed as hyper mobile aged 14 by a Consultant Rheumatologist, had spinal surgery & have 5 diseased intervertebral discs as well as other orthopaedic issues. (Long story + being a retired Paramedic injured whilst on duty, my aches & pains go way beyond Lupus). Yoga keeps me bendy, strong & flexible, I don’t do it for the relaxation side.
Health, dancing sport & fitness have played a major part in my life since childhood - my Mum & Dad were sporty & my sister was a fitness instructor.
Also, like you I had a Sarcoma - gynae which led to a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, also Stromal cell endometrial Sarcoma. Had polycystic ovary syndrome prior to surgery. Will hopefully catch up with you on your own or mine personal page/wall.
Seems like so many of us have unusual, similar & challenging symptoms.
Thanks for your informative reply & apologies to AcheyAnnie for hijacking her post! x
really glad to meet you! Thanks for every detail…am greatly relating…hope you’ll let us know what your Dermatologist has to say…I was gobsmacked when mine figured out I’ve always had ‘chilblain lupus erythematosus’ alongside my SLE etc. My rheumatologist agrees. For once, a meeting of minds 😅
(I could go on & on, but will just mention the highly hypermobile spine (2 significant injuries when young - 1 to each end, cervical kyphosis etc + 3 grade 2 lumbar vert fractures etc = scoliosis segueing into severe, further complicating hEDS/AID/PID gastro issues (chronic intestinal failure + pseudo-obstruction - been off food on exclusive elemental nutrition for 5+ years). This is how inherent predispositions have evolved over 69 years…it is what it is)
A close friend who has Scleroderma uses Aveeno creams as recommended by her specialist nursing team. She suffers with thickening of the skin which then dries and splits and this cream/lotion gives her relief. It may suit you as well. Good luck.
has the rheumatologist or gp given any advice as what to use? Otherwise as turquoise says it can be very expensive trying to find one that suits. I personally use body shop face creams, there is one with aloe that’s quite nice. My skin is more dry and tight with a rash appearing when I go out in sun or extreme cold weather or if the house is too hot. Years ago I was told by vascular consultant that lotion is better than thick creams for dry skin, not sure if same would apply to help rash.
Like a lot of people here I have found that it is an expensive trial and error to find one that suits my skin. I use CeraVe and it has been fine but what sets my skin off during the winter is the central heating (one way to save money on electricity), when it does flare up I bathe my face in warm water with a couple of drops of tea tree oil in, this seems to help the stinging and blotching.
Csrave has been a lifesaver for me after years of trying to find something wgich didn't irritate my skin. But anyone can develop an allergy to amything
Hi. I used to be a member of a skin forum before my diagnosis. What I learned seemed very odd but here it is: shower once or twice a week in tepid water. For body lotion if you have no allergies it’s your call. For face believe it or not your skin learns to self moisturize. It takes about a year. Spots that bother you a tiny bit of aqua phor. Makeup for me is zinc based powder. My skin looks better now than it did 10 years ago and I am 65. Last. I use aloe when the rash burns. Good luck🎄
My daughter's skin does this immediately with E45 and has since a small child as she is allergic to lanolin. It goes away after a day or so once not exposed to it. This product does contain sodium lauryl sulfate which is soaplike compound used chiefly in laundry detergents, cleaning products, and toiletries such as shower gel and shampoo. With this in mind I was told by my Rheumatologist not to go near anything like that on my skin as I am very sensitive now in some areas. I imagine creams are worse than shower gels as you rub them in and leave them. I use ph balanced creams and shower gel or emollients. Could it be this is the problem or another ingredient you are sensitive to. ? In any case I wouldn't use it again so liberally but maybe try a small patch and see what happens. Even so called 'creams for sensitive skin' are not always tolerable for us, its a case of try a very little then see what happens. Good luck finding something.
Honestly don’t buy all these heavily promoted, heavily scented, hugely endorsed creams and moisturisers with the BIG NAMES! They’ll all hugely expensive. The adverts promise mostly BS!👆Those YouTube adverts and
TikTok influencers are to me over the top!
The Dermol 500 products ( as many others have said?) are hypoallergenic, anti-pruritic ie reduce itchiness, very gentle, soothing, moisturising and antiseptic .
Most importantly they are ALL prescribable by doctors!
I have DLE and produce lots of flaky, dead skin! All products have to be 100% plant based for me.
Take 100% tea tree oil for example, it’s antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial. Also aloe Vera has these properties. They’re natural not synthetic!
I think @Barnclown has said that tea tree oil based products can produce a rash in her so be careful!🧐
I only go for these and the Dermol 500!👆☝️👏
Thanks Turquoise-1 👏👍👏👏
Yes, uv will trigger a lupus skin flair and so will certain additives!😱
I too am a big fan of Tea Tree Essential Oil but only a good quality one, it really does do everything you say but may not suit everyone & patch testing is recommended.
I also find that Lavender Essential Oil is equally as good, is an amazing skin healer & is gentle enough to be used neat, directly on the skin without a carrier oil; once again ensure it is a really good quality brand & is only pure Lavender Essential Oil - not one of those cheap, scents to use in an oil burner! (Patch test carefully as with any essential oil, or check with an Aromatherapist).
Being a retired Paramedic I am well trained in how to treat burns & scalds and am well aware that it is not recommended to apply any lotions or potions. However, despite all my A&E knowledge & experience I do use Lavender Essential Oil on a small burn, as it soothes, reduces inflammation & helps the wound to quickly heal - it’s marvellous stuff! It’s good for soothing insect bites too and my itchy, red skin lesions.
Some essential oils can be safely mixed, (eg Lavender & Tea Tree oil) & they don’t require a carrier oil. I use these two on my dog in the summer months as a flea repellent, as I dislike the chemical varieties; he’s 12 years old & has never had fleas. I am not an Aromatherapist but began learning about it 30+ years ago through having aromatherapy massages for back problems. The good oils are a bit more expensive but they do last a long time as you only require tiny amounts.
Tea tree oil 100% works well on my nails and feet but as you say it’s not to everyone’s liking as it can sting!
I’ve actually got a super aromatic wild, giant lavender bush in my garden. What a lovely scent and sight in the summer with those bumblebees buzzing about!👏
Just a deep inhalation of the crushed lavender florets from the plant is so calming!👏☝️
I have learned this is very complicated. Like you, I have rashes that don’t seem related to disease flare. For years I got deep red rashes on my neck after sun exposure. It happened immediately and only with sunscreens and bright sun. I knew it wasn’t my usual photosensitivity. Once, a long time ago, a rash was biopsies, and it showed allergic reaction.
When I had to get a biopsy for a possible basal cell on my face, I landed in a dermatologist’s office who happens to specialize in connective tissue diseases. When I asked her about these rashes she said it is likely part of the photosensitivity. Photo allergy is common in lupus patients and part of the continuum of photosensitivity. I mentioned this to my rheumatologist. He had not known this. Other dermatologists didn’t either.
I had been switched to zinc based sunscreen. Apparently it is rare to get allergic reactions from these. I never got that neck rash again after changing to Elta MD. So I think the expert in lupus was right.
It sounds like you weren’t in the sun. But you may be allergic to a chemical in the sunscreen. I would switch to another, preferably zinc based go see if that helps.
It is very distressing when we need sunscreen and then have a reaction to it. I was at my wit’s end! But you will find one you aren’t allergic to. You may have to see a dermatologist to get the right one for you.
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Hydroxyqulororoquinine rash!?
Is this a butterfly rash? 
Rash
Rashes
