Does this look like lupus rash?

Hi everyone.

I started with a flat purple rash last Tuesday. It’s spread across my stomach and down the front of my thighs. Then a more sporadic raised rash started on shoulders, back, and then my hands and arms on Friday evening. The first marks on upper body looked like I’d scratched the skin. Yesterday it started on my feet and lower legs and into my hairline and face. It didn’t start itching till Thursday evening.

I saw my GP on Wednesday and he took a full battery of blood tests. We’re still waiting for most of them as it’s now bank holiday so hoping for more answers on Tuesday afternoon. I’m on antibiotics to help prevent infection, strong antihistamine, betamethasone ointment to help soothe and clear it. I already used Dermol wash.

He’s thinking autoimmune/SLE lupus. I’ve got fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, diabetes etc. Looking at lupus, I do have other possible symptoms but not the butterfly face rash.

I’m going crazy wondering what it is and it’s got at least 2 GP’s confused at my surgery. Any idea’s would be appreciated but I’m not going to change the current “treatment” before I speak to GP again.

Thank you.

[Lizard28]

it’s a pity your GP didn’t refer you urgently to dermatologist for a skin biopsy, that might have gave you better results. It doesn’t look like my skin lupus but I guess there are loads of different looking rashes. My dermatologist said I could peel the skin like taking a carpet up and it won’t bleed which is very true. Mine would only get really red after a shower, I remember getting every lesion photographed at the hospital with the hospital photographer, what a nice job lol. Wish I’d got a copy to show you. I hope you get it sorted soon as it does look angry and sore. X

[heatherose]

Hi.This doesn't look like my lupus rash either. Mine was raised red 5mm spots, which were incredibly hot and itchy, and grouped together, forming a white border around them. They appeared symmetrically too...so one knee, then other knee...

I was told it was rare to have them on torso,

This is not to say that yours isn't a lupus rash, but as others have said, far better to get yours checked early. No one diagnosed mine til it covered my arms and legs and I needed to go to hospital.

Good luck on getting it sorted soon.

[Cathyan]

I’m so sorry, Robyn. This looks really uncomfortable to live with. Hope they get to the bottom of it soon. I know there are lots of types of psoriasis - could it be a variant? healthline.com/health/photo...

[Hidden]

I hope you get some answers soon, it looks really uncomfortable! Please let us know how you are doing xx

[lupie46]

Hi. Nothing like mine, but we all have different skinDermatology is going to be the way to get an answer.

Good luck.

[Pipido36]

Hi, that looks really painful. I had that a couple of years ago. It was alover my body, stomach, back hands and even face. It was really itchy. The wheals turned purple then crusted. My Rheumatologist referred me to a Dermatologist and after tests was diagnosed with Urticarial vasculitis. I was put on emollients and steroid cream and had to up prednisolone and hydroquinone which I was already taking. They took long to go away but eventually did. I have flareups every now and again but not as bad as the first time. My Lupus is now in remission of which I have noticed since then I haven't had a huge flareup of the urticaria. I am not saying that's what you have but just to let you know you are not alone. I hope you get the treatment you need.

Good luck. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Pipido36]

Hi, thank you. It’s spreading even since I posted. It started on my torso, then shoulders, then hands. Yesterday it was on my face and later my feet. I’m hoping blood results are back tomorrow and I have an appointment with GP so hopefully get referrals then.

[StormySky]

It looks a lot like a rash I've had for several months, and it is different from the rash I had when the connective tissue disease kicked off. My GP said this one is sweat rash or fungal, so to use over the counter treatments (they don't seem to do much). I hope your GP has some answers and makes some speedy referrals for you if you need them. Please let us know

[Suvi8901]

Sorry to see such an angry looking rash. 🥹😱

Looks like a kind of vasculitis which is an inflammation of the capillaries, the smallest blood vessels.

BTW GPs are NOT dermatologists even though some would like to think themselves dermatologists.😱🙄🥹😳.

Your GP must refer you on to a properly qualified NHS consultant dermatologist for a definitive diagnosis and the correct treatment ASAP!👁️👁️👆