I just ran a search on this site for this topic because I thought I remembered seeing a discussion on this but it came up negative. Maybe I just saw it listed under someone's profile. I am not sure...
I have had a really bad rash and itching that started on my lower left leg. Then a new area sprouted on my right leg and then itching on all extremities. The derm did a skin biopsy which was negative but my rheum said she should have done it with a stain so I need to go back for a second skin biopsy.
I started on prednisone because my rheum thinks I am in a flare. My neuropathy has intensified during this rash period and she said there is a link with the nerves in the skin triggering more pain. Both md's think it is something autoimmune. I have the usual fatigue, drier than usual mouth and eyes and muscle stiffness.
Anyway just wondering if anyone has chronic itching that is considered autoimmune and how does your md treat it?
I've been having some small patches of itchy rash on my legs. The cortisone cream helps. I am not sure if it's related to Sjogren's or a side effect from ivig for my CVID. My doctor wasn't sure what it was.
Helene
Thank you for being kind enough to respond.
I am sorry that you experience the discomfort of an itchy rash. I most certainly relate to the discomfort.
It is my md's thought that this is a separate condition and not a symptom. Just like Sjogren's I had never heard of autoimmune rashes. I was just hoping to find someone else who experienced this so I know what to expect. Otc cortisone creams and anti itch cream and rx creams did not soothe it. I am on my second day of prednisone and am still getting tiny patches. My poor body is bruised and marked from scratching. I have been using tea tree oil as well.
I noticed she ordered lupus antibodies test in addition to lab work and it surprised me. When I was originally diagnosed with Sjogren's she said I was one marker short of a lupus diagnosis. I am wondering if something changed? I am wondering if itchy rashes are more common to lupus?
Just rambling thoughts since I have no where else to ask these questions.
Here's the other thread:
https://sjogrensworld.org/index.php?topic=25879.0
Thanks for the link. I was looking under urticaria/autoimmune itching.
"just wondering if anyone has chronic itching that is considered autoimmune and how does your md treat it?"
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I have multiple skin issues in terms of itching and rashes (in addition to dry skin).
My issues may be a little more complicated because I was on treatment fro Hepatitis C (with Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek) when the rash issues started. I think some of the first rashes I had starting in December 2012 were from those drugs. I had major issues with rashes and itches while on treatment. The biopsies showed some lesions that were allergic reaction type rashes, some were Lichenoid suggesting Connective Tissue Disease, and some were Psoriasis. At that time I was treated with Fluocinonide ointment (body), Hydrocortisone Valerate cream (face), Clobetesol solution (scalp), and Hydroxizine 50 mg oral for the itching.
After finishing treatment, the allergic type rashes improved and the Psoriasis got worse. Plus I still had a host of other odd ball rashes and lesions which I treated with Hydrocortisone Valerate cream. Most of these have gradually improved but I still have some lesions on my arms and legs and a few different type on my face.
Last summer I developed an annulare lesion on my shoulder. It was biopsied and the pathology showed it was a Lichenoid lesion. My local Derm said it was from Connective Tissue Disease but she did not know which one. This is my local Derm and I think they have not had as much experience recognizing specific lesions here. Since then I have been waiting for another annular lesion so I could go to the Derm in Minneapolis (who specializes in Autoimmune related derm problems).
In the meantime, I have had several other skin lesions on my arms and legs (for several months) as well as a funny reddish mottled discoloration to my upper arms. When I saw my Rheumatologist in January she said she thought the rash was Autoimmune. At that time she gave me the name of the Derm who specializes in Autoimmune rashes and my plan was to go when I got another annular lesion. I saw my Rheumatolgist again on April 24th and she said, "We see this (reddish arm discoloration) in Lupus." (Just what I wanted to hear, LOL.) She told me to make an appt. with the Derm specialist and see what he says about my skin lesions even though I have no active annular lesions at the present time. She said not to wait. So I have an appt. next week with him.
I spent a lot of time looking this stuff up, reading every histo-pathology description I could find and every type of rash description and every possibility. Both Sjogren's and Lupus can cause these types of skin issues and rashes. Plus one can have Cutaneous Lupus or Discoid Lupus without having Systemic Lupus. Plus there are a few independent rash possibilities too.
So, yes, I have chronic rash issues and some itching. My rashes do not itch much but they will not heal up and go away without Hydrocortisone cream. Even then, they leave brownish discolored patches on my skin. I use Hydrocortisone Valerate cream at times although I have not been using it while I am waiting to see the Derm specialist because I don't want to alter the appearance of the rashes. I don't know if the treatment will change after he figures out what they are and which disease is causing them.
Jasper
That sounds really uncomfortable and unsettling. I am sorry that this is chronic for you. I was unfamiliar with annulare lesions and had to look it up. I wish there was an easier way to diagnose this stuff. Makes me appreciate that this is my first experience and one that has only lasted a few weeks so far. Mine are red raised patches and I also get little bumps under my skin in other areas where there is no rash. Some look like my arms and legs have blemishes. Neither md knows what it is.
Let me know how you make out at the md next week. I hope he can give you definite answers rather than leave you wondering.
Best of luck.
Cassi ..... Thanks.
Truthfully, it is not as bad as it sounds. It was horrific when I was on the drugs for Hepatitis C and it about drove me mad (due to itching and it was raw in places), but now it does not really bother me that much, just rather annoying and concerning (since I don't know what is causing the current issues).
My main concern is to find out what it is. I may have more than one type (from more than one underlying cause). If the rash signifies a new Autoimmune Disease, then I want to know that. Not sure the treatment will be different, but I want to know what I am dealing with. And the treatment might be different.
One thing I have found is that not all Dermatologists are created equal. As I mentioned, I had my local Derm who is quite nice and who always does biopsies. But she lacks experience in more complicated diagnoses. So the pathology shows Lichenoid (Connective Tissue Disease) but she does not know what type. I actually had gone to see a Derm at the University because I thought they would see more Autoimmune related cases up there. But he was a jerk and did not even do a biopsy. He told me I just had dry skin. So I wasted 2 months waiting to see him just to be told I had dry skin.
Since I did not believe him and I knew it was not just dry skin, I then made an appt. with my local Derm and she did the biopsy which showed Lichenouid lesion. By the time I got all of the pathology back and saw my Rheumatolgist, the annular lesion had faded and was no longer active. (This was the delay I was talking about.) It is just too bad I did not see the Derm who specializes in Autoimmune Diseases at the time I had the annular lesion. He would have been able to diagnose it, I am sure. (But he had changed practices and so that was complicated, although I will see him soon.)
My point here is that maybe you can find a Derm that specializes in Autoimmune Derm issues because not all of them know that much about Derm as it relates to Autoimmune Diseases.
Best of luck.
That is how Sjo revealed itself to me back in January... :(
Nellie
Jasper and Machenza...
Make sure none of this sounds like you.....
http://www.thepatientceliac.com/2014/01/04/mast-cell-activation-syndrome-madness/