Lupus Rash?

[SamRigs]

Hi, I have Lupus SLE and have had this rash on my shin for sometime now - also on my elbows and underneath my breast. I showed it to my rheumatologist at my last appointment and he said it was discoid lupus. He made a note of this in my letter I received however he never said anything about treating it. I was just wondering if anyone else has got these too and how they treat them as it is extremely sore. Thank you in advance 😊

[posthinking01]

Not sure I would identify this as discoid lupus but there again I am not a Dr. What I can tell you is that dependent what drugs you are taking - zinc drops might help - I was covered throughout my whole body with similar and it was a low zinc/thyroid problem.

[posthinking01]

Also on clean skin try Sudacrem which has zinc within it. Use clean hands please as the wound is open at some points. Hope this helps.

[Olive12345]

I would show that to your GP as you need advice on how to treat the open wounds. Also what antibodies do you have and are they specific to lupus? Scleroderma can cause rashes and skin ulcers but a rheumatologist should have picked that up if it was it. I have both but have a rare antibody that’s non-specific. Also it wouldn’t normally show up under your breast I don’t think so probably the rheumatologist is right but might be worth querying.

[SamRigs in reply to Olive12345]

Thank you ever such a lot for your reply - it is very much appreciated. I have taken in your advice x

[LuluM25]

From my own experience with Lupus rashes I would say it resembles what I've had and I would request an urgent referral to a dermatologist. If it's being caused by a lupus flare and you have SLE it will spread inflammation around your body. My dermatologist prescribes Prednisolone and steroid creams and I now have 3 or 6 monthly appointments to monitor any rash activity. Hope you're able to get suitable treatment soon.

[SamRigs in reply to LuluM25]

Thank you very much for your reply. I will take on board your advice x

[LuluM25]

You're welcome. One other thing, keep a photo log of rashes so that GP/Consultant can see exactly how rash progresses and what you're dealing with on a daily basis.

[SamRigs in reply to LuluM25]

I will do thank you - this was it about a month ago x

Leg showing rasg

[chrisj]

Definitely see your gp for some treatment. I had shingles a few years ago and it came up under one breast, was very sore with blisters. My gp couldn't give me any tablets because I have some kidney damage, she prescribed a cream and it worked wonders. It cleared it up quite quickly 🙂

I hope you get something for it, why on earth didn't your rheumatologist prescribe something....I have SLE but no skin problems from that and Sjogrens xxx

[SamRigs in reply to chrisj]

Thank you Chris for your reply - I am glad you got over your shingles. Your advice is really appreciated. I don’t know why my rheumatologist didn’t give me anything - he was a stand in for my consultant. He did case note it in a follow up letter as discoid lupus but didn’t offer any treatment - it was only when I went in to have a skin cancer removed off my face in January and before the procedure was undertaken my surgeon was chatting about lupus and asking me how it affects me. So I showed him my shin and he kindly said remind him later before the end of the day and I’ll prescribe you some steroid cream for it - which he did and I have used it, but it hasn’t touched it. x

[chrisj in reply to SamRigs]

Calamine lotion or cream might sooth things a little. I've had a look online. The cream I had was Aciclovir (Zovirax) but I believe its a prescription one. I was pleased and surprised at how well it worked, thought it would take ages to get rid of the blistering and sores.

Obviously your problem is a lupus one, not something I know much about. Have a look online you might be able to buy something, there are several creams out there for discoid xxx

[SamRigs in reply to chrisj]

You’ve been more than helpful - cannot thank you enough - it’s very kind of you xx

[Purplebox]

Dear SamRigs,

Poor you as I know totally how you must be feeling. I have been battling with the identical rash on both shins since last October. Mine caused so much itching that I resorted to a blanket cage under my duvet as I could not bear anything on my legs at night. GP initially diagnosed a fungal skin infection and treated it accordingly with Terbafine. That did not work. In February he referred me for an emergency appointment to the dermatology dept at hospital but that did not come through until mid May. By then the rash had spread, spots appearing around both ankles, on arms and chest and the itching was driving me nuts and I just couldn't cope any longer especially with the sleep deprivation. In desperation I referred myself to a private dermatologist who diagnosed discoid eczema. (Actually the appointment and medication were not that expensive which was a pleasant surprise. I am not critical of the NHS - they are so overstretched I don't know how they cope but with something like this condition a long wait results in long agony). I was prescribed 2 different creams. First one was Audevate ointment Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% w/w applied for 2 weeks at night only. The itching stopped within 24 hours - utter bliss after 8 months! After 2 weeks then switched to Elocon 0.1% Mometasone Furoate w/w ointment also applied at night only for 2 weeks. The rash has improved significantly, areas on arms and chest have gone completely. The ones on both shins and ankles have really improved, some areas have shrunk almost completely, some look more like a speckled rash but there are still a few bigger spots but they are smaller. The prescribed creams are definitely working. My follow up appointment is this Thursday. Keeping the skin moisturised is key - she suggested Aveno twice/three times daily which has helped. (Aveno do a special lotion which is specifically aimed at skin prone to eczema - comes in a white bottle and is fantastic). Also do not use any perfumed shower gels etc - she told me to get Dermol 500 lotion (pump action bottle available over the counter at pharmacies/chemists) to shower/wash with. It is a bit like showering with hand lotion but it works. Soaks in the bath are a no no. I have confidence in the dermatologist I found (she actually trained with the team at my hospital) and so far there is definite progress. I will let you know what the results of the next appointment. In the meantime good luck and I hope that the above information is of help to you.

All the best.

[SamRigs in reply to Purplebox]

Thank you so so much for your extremely helpful response - I really do appreciate it. I am scheduled a visit to see my consultant in two weeks time so will get them to investigate. In the meantime I wish you all the best at your next appointment and would be very interested to hear the outcome. Take care x

[Purplebox in reply to Purplebox]

Hi SamRigs

Hoping that this finds you feeling better despite this roasting heat.

I am just giving you an update to the rash situation on both legs as promised. Following the follow up with the dermatologist last week, the rash only showed some improvement and annoyingly a new spot decided to sprout on the left leg. The areas of spots had also become raised and rough to the touch. The dermatologist thinks this is now a form of psoriasis and prescribed Enstilar 50 micrograms cutaneous foam calcipotriol/betamethasone for the next 4 weeks. If that does not do the trick then a biopsy will be taken. Have been using this foam since last Friday and am glad to see that there is a massive improvement. Am hoping that this stuff will do the trick. She did not think that this is Lupus related as telltale spots would also have appeared at the back of the neck around the base of the hair line. However, that does not rule out that skin problems can occur for some who have Lupus. Will keep going with the present cream and let you know in 4 weeks time.

In the meantime stay as well as possible and take care.

Best wishes. xx

[SamRigs in reply to Purplebox]

Thank you so so much for all of your help and advice - it’s really appreciated. You take care xx

[dg70]

I have had this egg shaped rash on an ankle once. I had it for over a year before I realised it would not go away on its own. It could be extremely itchy and burn. A dermatologist prescribed a mild steroid cream (elocon) and it cleared up within a couple of weeks and never came back. I think it started because I stood on an ants nest and at that point I didn't know I had lupus so I was unable to heal as other people might. I get rashes on my elbows face etc.. which come and go and most of the time E45 (which I use daily) keeps on top of it but every now and then a rash takes hold, itches and burns and doesn't go. Then I have to turn to steroid cream, a GP can prescribe this or maybe even a pharmacist. I also have an antibiotic steroid cream (trimovate) for feminine rashes and when a rash has sores, this is Dermatologist recommended only. Yours looks like its sore. I suggest go to the gp then maybe ask for a dermatologist referral or see a dermatologist via your rheumy's recommendation, as it doesn't hurt to have things in place before you need them and you can get creams on repeat prescription so you don't have to wait to see a GP when things go bad. It's such a help when a rash flashes up with me and its agony and burns. If I had to wait to see someone before getting help it would be awful, you can then decide whilst already getting some treatment if you need to see a GP in case you need oral antibiotic for infected sores. 👍

[SamRigs in reply to dg70]

Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to respond to my message and also your brilliant advice. I really do appreciate it. You take care x

[dg70 in reply to SamRigs]

You too, hope you get things cleared up, lupus rashes can just be awful, so so itchy.

[Snoopdoggy]

discoid lupus is usually like circles of sores, but I think over they years it doesn’t always appear as the text book say. I was unwell for years with different problems. I had the rash across my face but it has always been there red blotches. I had eczema or skin problems all up my arms and hands sore cracked and bleeding. Wore cotton gloves and had cream for rash. Your doctor should give you something to ease your uncomfortable feeling and the urge to scratch is intense. Why is nothing cared for like it used to be. Because of cuts they are stopping us having prescribed meds it’s so frustrating.I hope you get something very soon . I was given betnovate I think it’s called but use sparingly as it is a steroid cream and can causes side affects. They should give you emollient to soothe the soreness etc.🤗🤗🤗

[SamRigs in reply to Snoopdoggy]

Thank you very much for your post - really hope your rashes are cleared up now. Best wishes. Sam xx