skin rash.

[Luppylou]

Hi I wonder if you can help. I was diagnosed in 2012 and have been lucky enough not to have had any problems with my skin. However, over the last six months I keep getting an itchy rash just below my eye, around the nostrils of my nose, below my lips and now on my forehead. My doctors thinks it’s Roseca but everyday a new patch seems to appear and the cream isn’t really helping. Does the lupus rash always start across the bridge of the nose and cheeks? Thank you.

[Mamasquidy]

I developed a discoid lupus rash last year which was everywhere over my body in the end except for the bridge of my nose.which remained clear. Mine started on my upper arms and the sides of my face.

[FandNnan]

My experience has been that my lupus rash always starts on my forehead and spreads from there down face, neck, chest and onto lower arms but mostly avoids my nose.

This summer it was on my right forehead and in front of left ear only. I continuously take steroids so it's mostly controlled and just grumbles in the background!

Ask to see a dermatologist, if you haven't already, as they have more knowledge, of course, about skin issues. 😊

[Luppylou in reply to FandNnan]

Thanks Both that really interesting. I was diagnosed in the UK and now live in Switzerland and my doctor here is questioning my diagnoses partly because I've never had a butterfly rash. They think everything could be explained by fibromylagia. What is the treatment you use for your skin as I also have a patch on my arm but I assumed it was something different. Two years ago I underwent a really painful treatment on my nose where they chemically burnt the skin off as they said it was precancerous but I'm questioning that now.

[Mamasquidy in reply to Luppylou]

I take hydroxichoriquine, apply lots of suncream, wear big hats and cover up.

[FandNnan]

I have diagnoses for SLE, Sjogrens, CKD and other related disorders and take Azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine and Prednisolone. Those three are specific to lupus but I take several other medications as well for other symptoms.

My dermatologist mentions thinning skin and is vigilant for signs of cancer also. I had biopsies done in July to check this year's rash was indeed lupus and not anything sinister. The Prednisolone is what controls my skin rashes, nothing else works, not even steroid ointments. Downside is that there are side effects with steroids.

I use foundation with Spf50+ (It Cosmetics) and wear sunnies, hats, long sleeves and avoid the sun.

I was diagnosed with SLE over 30 years ago, with NO butterfly rash, but over the years have had very minor rashes (so that I didn't even mention them). However 6 years ago I had a full blown upper body open sores rash (the exposed bits of upper body) the like of which my NHS dermatologist said she had never seen. It lasted around 7/8 months and was painful and grotesque. I was sent to the hospital photographers so she could use the pictures in her teaching! I now see her every 6 months, have open access to her and adjust my dosage of steroids within reason myself.

Hope this all helps.

[Luppylou]

Oh gosh I hope that it is under control now. I take Azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine. The doctors don't seem to want to consider it being a lupus rash because its not a butterfly. I have tried steriod cream but that didn't work so I'm now trying a combine of metronidazole cream and and antibiotic cream....

[smeackles]

Our experience is started on face (cheeks mainly but also across nose and very much still there) but progressed on and in ears and in scalp effecting hair over time. On Hydroxy, Azathioprine, Prednisone and other meds for side effects & had some steroid cream from dermatologist to use occasionally. But 4 months in and still progressing.

[Pangine]

I have discoid lupus. My rash started on my scalp. I have had it around my eyes and nostrils also, occasionally on my cheeks never across the bridge of my nose.

[Luppylou]

That's very helpful thank you.