Rash on arms

[MyJourney200]

Hi all, I have this rash on both my arms, first came up 8 weeks ago after sitting in the sun for 30 minutes, it goes from red to purple in colour. Would anyone know if it could be thyroid related? TIA

[Tugun]

Hi,

I have no idea if it is thyroid related but definitely see a skin specialist about it and why it is happening. They would know.

See your GP and they will probably give you a blood test to check how things are going.

[Hidden]

Have you recently started any new drugs or supplements?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See GP

Could be hives

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[MyJourney200]

Thanks for your replies. I am not taking any medication apart from an antihistamine. I am waiting for blood test results. I will be seeing my endo for the first time 2nd June. Interesting read SlowDragon, I suffer with IBS and had the h pylori infection a few years ago.

[helvella Administrator]

I'll repeat what I replied on another post about a skin issue.

When people have skin issues, I often post this link:

dermnetnz.org/

It is a site for skin issues and has numerous photographs. We all know that there is more to it than "looks like" and some diagnoses require biopsies or other techniques. But it is a start.

I suspect most people would think it easier to look on that site themselves and compare their real skin with the Dermnet photos than for people here to try to match your photo to Dermnet.

[MyJourney200 in reply to helvella]

Thank you helvella

[lisabax]

I’ve had odd patches like that which are related to covid19

[Singoutloud]

I could be looking at a photo of my own arm few of weeks ago. I narrowed mine down to Polymorphic light Eruption. Burnt like hell and so itchy. Left the skin feeling slightly desensitized. It died down after a couple of weeks but has left the skin a little dry.

It's reaction to UV light so best to keep covered so it doesn't spread. I'm hoping it is just a one off for me as some people have a really miserable time with it

[Cooper27 in reply to Singoutloud]

I had this once too. It's only happened once to me, probably 10 years ago now. It can be a one off

[MyJourney200 in reply to Singoutloud]

Looked that up, it does fit the description for that, thank you

[Hillwoman in reply to Singoutloud]

I have this with the first strong sunlight every spring. It's nasty and takes two or three weeks to calm down. Thereafter, I sit under the parasol or in another shady spot with some factor 50.

[Beads in reply to Singoutloud]

Oh god is it itchy! And then some!

I've suffered for years, since I was a teenager. There used to be a PLE section on here (HU), but I noticed last year that it's gone.

It's also intriguing, how my feet flare up EXACTLY where the light hits through strappy sandals but not even in the margins just under the straps! When I first figured out what it was (thank you doctor Google, why weren't you around in the 70s and 80s?) there was a fair bit of research going on in Australia (they get more sun than over here so it'll be a bigger issue), but the consensus was avoid the sun and you'll not suffer.

Some years I suffer, some years not. It seems random, independent of whether I sit in the sun or am just out and about, but once it starts the rest of the Spring/summer is a pain!

[vocalEK in reply to Singoutloud]

We used to call that "sun poisoning".

[posthinking01]

Hi there - as someone who has to be careful in the sun due to photo sensitivity - can I suggest you nurse this arm/arms and keep them covered as obviously your body is telling you it doesn't want the sun exposure - I see you aren't on any medication - otherwise I would have said this was a 'steroid' rash/bruise - have you put perfume on this area at all as the sun would cause a reaction like this This can also be caused by perspiration containing a lot of salt if your salt levels are high.

[MyJourney200 in reply to posthinking01]

Thank you very much for your reply, I will take your advice🙂

[Lilith_18]

Hi,

It’s definitely a good idea to get any new, unknown rash checked by a doctor.

That said, it looks very similar to the a type of rash that can form if someone develops increased sun sensitivity (You mentioned your rash developed after time in the sunlight). The rash is called a Polymorphous light eruption. I looked on mayoclinic.org to get a better explanation and found this:

“Polymorphous light eruption, also known as polymorphic light eruption, is a rash caused by sun exposure in people who have developed sensitivity to sunlight. The rash usually appears as red, tiny bumps or slightly raised patches of skin.”

The pictures shown on the website looked similar to yours.

Just a possibility. I hope you find relief soon!

Lilith

[MyJourney200 in reply to Lilith_18]

Thank you very much for your informative reply Lilith, does sound very like what you described

[posthinking01 in reply to MyJourney200]

I wonder if this is a salt issue - coming through the skin and burning - I used to have salt loss problems which was an adrenal issue I found out down the line. Also this could be low vitamin C - you could try taking some to see if it helps.

[Marymary7]

I used to get a sun rash like that. Never tanned either. I'm ok now many years later. I read somewhere that thyroid problems could be linked, that something doesn't work hormone wise to make the protective melanin.

My pal had it and her doctor told her to take a supplement of beta carotene before she traveled abroad and during holiday and she's been fine since.