Dry Skin

[JenniferW]

I have had dry skin since I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus about eight years ago. I was tested for Sjogrens and it was negative, but in any case I don't seem to have the same symptoms as I see described on here by sufferers.

I produce tears, saliva and sweat. I get dry eyes because I don't produce enough oil in the tear layer, so the tears evaporate. Using the actimist spray with lipids helps with this.

I have very dry skin, if I don't moisturise it goes thin. I use Eucerin lotion, with Urea in it and that is effective. Other lotions that I see other people highly recommending like Aveena do nothing for me.

I produce very little ear wax and it is hard and dry.

Does anyone else have these symptoms? I mentioned the dry eyes to the last rheumatologist I saw but once she had checked for saliva production she didn't seem interested (to be fair to her she covered a lot of stuff in the appointment and packed me off for various tests for other areas of concern).

[Madmusiclover]

I take evening primrose oil. A capsule morning and night. I use an emollient wash. Have you asked your GP for help?

[JenniferW in reply to Madmusiclover]

I haven't spoken to the GP, I have asked my optician for advice over the years. Mostly for this kind of thing I have asked on here because of the range of practical knowledge and experience

Thank you for the suggestion of primrose oil, I will look into that.

[Jackie1947]

I have RA have dry skin. I have Doublebase lotion on prescription in .I also have dry eye and have HyLo tear drops on prescription . My ears are dry and I rub a little vaseline in.

[JenniferW in reply to Jackie1947]

Thank you, I hadn't heard of the double base lotion, I'll look into it.

[Haz58]

I've never had dry skin but since October with my massive flare I'm still having, my skin is so dry and flaky. I'm using Aveeno at the mo but it's not helping very much. I have dry eyes anyway and use drops from the doc, systain balance drops.

[JenniferW in reply to Haz58]

Oh that's interesting, so you didn't have it and then did. So it's something particular being triggered I guess. Thank you for replying, it's good to know I am not on my own. I tried several types of moisturiser before finding the urea containing ones worked for me.

[Brian1977]

I've had really bad skin since I was diagnosed with inflammatory athritis in September I've also got ulcerative colitis. It's really bad along my forehead and round my nose and underneath both eyes

[JenniferW in reply to Brian1977]

That's awful, you poor thing.

[Brian1977]

I asked the occupational therapist last week about it but she never knew anything ill need to mention it to my rheumatologist consultant when I see him in 2 months

[Garnacha]

I use hydromol for really bad areas, particularly on the bottom of my right lip / skin, hands & any other areas that are pretty bad, but, it's really greasy so have double base to use for general coverage as it soaks in quickly with no greasy residue, it's a foam, I also use Evolve HA 0.2% eye drops

[JenniferW in reply to Garnacha]

Thank you for those recommendations

[Poshcards]

My Rheumy prescribed Cetraben cream for my dry skin and its brilliant xx

[JenniferW in reply to Poshcards]

Thank you, I will add it to the list to try.

[Gottarelax]

I am getting incredibly dry skin …and possibly malar rash on my face. I am not sure whether it’s to do with medication, just unrelated, rosacea or I need to raise possible lupus with the doctor (for the latter I feel a bit over dramatic). Everything I’m putting on my face makes it sting and it’s like I’ve not moisturised in years even though I do all the time. My eyes seem quite dry but saliva levels are probably on the high side. I’ve never been particularly waxy.

[JenniferW in reply to Gottarelax]

If you are getting a malar rash then you should definitely talk to the doctor. I've got lupus as well as RA and it affects what biologics they were able to offer me.

[Gottarelax in reply to JenniferW]

thank you Jennifer…I am still slightly in denial over my relatively recent RA diagnosis even though my body is shouting at me. I did try to mention my face at the first consultation but was wearing a mask and the consultant didn’t ask to see. It’s worse now than it was then. On MTX at the moment. I don’t know whether that would help with lupus if I have it?

[JenniferW in reply to Gottarelax]

Yes, methotrexate helps with luous too. I was diagnosed with the lupus first and put on hydroxy to see how I got on, then the RA showed up and they put me on methotrexate too, saying it treats both conditions. It is an awful shock when it happens. It is difficult to cover everything in the first appointment.You could phone the rheumatology department helpline to speak to a nurse about your symptoms if you don't have a follow up appointment soon. It's okay to do that.

[Gottarelax in reply to JenniferW]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have an appointment yet but apparently I should have one in February. It must be very difficult to come to terms with having lupus alone let alone the double whammy! I hope your treatment is working well for you.

[JenniferW in reply to Gottarelax]

Thank you, I hope your appointment goes well.

[Hidden]

I use pears soap which contains natural oils, and natural source shower gel which only uses natural ingredients. I would recommend those; some soaps etc are very abrasive and heavily perfumed which can damage and dry out skin..

[JenniferW in reply to Hidden]

I used to use pears soap, but still found it quite drying. I use a shower oil now, but am trying out different soaps lile olive oil soap. I think it's the sodium laurel sulphate thst is drying for my skin. It's hard to find soap that doesn't contain it.

[Deeb1764 in reply to JenniferW]

My brother bought me Aesop range - it is not cheap BUT small amounts only needed and i find it works really well as my skin been so dry but this seems to be boosting my hydration again,

[JenniferW in reply to Deeb1764]

I will look that up, thank you.

[STILL-I-RISE26]

hello, I have terribly dry skin also. I have been diagnosed with RA though it seems every part of my body is over active from one thing or another. Lichen Scileriouses in my private area, severe dry skin everywhere (I shed like a snake ) inflamed follicular itis, bald spot from it, tested for sjorgren,s but negative, seems like my liver gets inflamed in pain whenever I take biologics, currently waiting to start Orencia. I am starting to think I have lupus but don,t know the hallmarks of that. I had bariatric surgery 6 Yrs. ago that went catastrophic, life support for 6 weeks, kidneys shut down, ventilator, echmo, sepsis, My body went crazy, I spent 1.5 yrs in the hospital had 8 surgeries, septic 4 times, colostomy, C. difficile finally came home after all this and 2 weeks later I couldn’t,t get out of bed and was then diagnosed with RA.

[JenniferW in reply to STILL-I-RISE26]

Hi,

What a terrible experience, thank you for sharing it, you've put my dry skin problems into perspective. I really hope the Orencia works for you.

Jenny