could this be lupus?

[Sarahjj87]

hello everyone haven’t been on for a while. Woke up yesterday with this rash down both arms, chest and on face. It doesn’t itch at all. Does this look like a lupus flare?

Thanks for any help x x

[GLRocc]

Best to check with your rheumatolcy nurse or GP, as if it is Lupus rash or other rash they can prescribe something for it

[Sarahjj87 in reply to GLRocc]

I’ve been to gp who have done bloods and left a message for rheumy nurse but it’s got a lot worse! Fingers crossed someone will phone tomorrow x

[posthinking01 in reply to Sarahjj87]

Hi have you been out in the sun ?

[Cath24]

It's hard to say whether or not a rash is a lupus rash - that's because what really matters here is what triggered it, whatever it is, or what's happening in your body, i.e. systemically. There are hundreds of types of rashes that can look very different depending on the person, the person's skin, the root cause etc.

if your rash looked identical to mine, it does not mean the source is the same. Your rash could look identical to mine which would be lupus, and yours might be dermatitis or vice versa. A rash is just a reaction to something. This is why no one, not even a doctor, can take one look at it and tell you its source without thorough checks - blood works, biopsy (sometimes, not always needed), and possibly even having it checked with a dermatoscope can be a simple and useful way - some GPs will have one which could save you a dermatology appointment if the reason can be identified, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

Even a biopsy can sometimes be inconclusive or show various reasons that don't point to a single cause. What's more useful is to test for antibodies and to keep track of any other symptom, and the date they happened and what you were doing when it happened - were you in the sun? Stressed/anxious etc.? What did you eat?

With autoimmunity we become very connected to our body, very mindful, we take more time to listen to our body and notice changes, and we make adjustments as we go, and many of us have embraced an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. I often say I am healthier now than I was before my autoimmunity.

Good luck and definitely get yourself checked. If it's a lupus rash then its nature will be inflammation from a trigger like the sun, and hydrocortisone should work (GP will prescribe the correct dose). Try to keep your skin protected, wear long sleeves in the meantime or stay out of the sun if possible, just to be cautious xx

[LadyJade]

Hi. This looks like a rash I used to get on my arms and chest. This seems to have stopped since I went to visit relatives in France who took me to a village energy healer. I know it sounds hard to believe and I didn’t think it would last but I haven’t had it now for the past 5 years. I have been diagnosed with Chillblain Lupus which falls under Discoid Lupus but I get that in cold and damp weather just on my knees. It starts out looking like an insect bite, but then spreads and forms a circle (almost) of tiny bumps which are very itchy. I’ve now been prescribed Fexofenadine 180mg tablets to take when I’m expecting a flare up and Mometasone 0.1% ointment for the rash itself. This type of Lupus does not show in blood samples, you have to be referred to a Dermatologist who will carry out a skin biopsy to determine what it is. My Rheumatologist couldn’t say what it was so he referred me.

Keep on at your Rheumatologist to refer you. It took me 2-3 years due to the fact that referrals take so long that by the time my appointment came round the rash had cleared.

[Cyndilu13]

Hello, it looks almost identical to my rash and I have lupus and was out in the sun.. I want sure if mine was lupus related either.