Subacute cutaneous lupus

[MarieB]

Is that a real word???   Just kidding. 
I've researched online but can't understand what I'm reading.
Today, my rheumatologist said he's pretty sure the rashes I have been getting are subacute cutaneous lupus or (something close to that) I can't swear what he said. 
He gave me an Rx for a steroid cream and wants me to think about trying plaquenil again at a lower dose. 
Any feedback appreciated. 

I hope everyone is doing as well as possible.  Best to you all.

Marie

[Linda196]

Information from Lupus Canada  https://www.lupuscanada.org/living-with-lupus/what-is-lupus/

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE) are diseases where skin rashes and sun sensitivity are the main problems; involvement of the internal parts of the body does not occur and life is not threatened. However, both DLE and SCLE may, at times, occur along with the systemic form of lupus. Performing appropriate tests to rule out systemic lupus erythematosus is therefore important when DLE or SCLE is newly diagnosed.

My father was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus in his 50s, treated with steroid cream for a few months and that was it, other than yearly screening for recurrence or signs of systemic Lupus, neither of which ever developed.

[MarieB]

Thank you so much Linda.  That all makes sense. 

[meirish]

Just a reminder to always wear a sunscreen or long sleeves when out in the sun. I don't get a real rash (no lupus diagnosis doc always thought I did but always neg tests) but I will get "sore" skin and sometimes reddish from the sun but not like sunburn, etc. Hurts and prickles.

I learned long ago to always at least keep legs and arms covered. Sometimes when out sitting around the lake I would wear shorts but always carried a lightweight towel, etc. to cover my legs. Tried to wear a cap that would shade my face along with the sun screen plus always wear my sunglasses.

I learned the hard way that when one faces the water when the sun is reflecting off of it you can get in trouble. That's when I learned move my chair so that I could put my back to the water and still visit with folks or read.

Sometimes it can get a little warm so I always tried to choose the cool part of the day to work in the garden. Also, when riding in front seat or driving I learned that  I had to wear light weight long sleeves plus in summer wore shorts and kept hand towels in the car to place over my legs. My bare thighs would hurt so much from the hot sun shining in the front window.  Good luck. meirish

[MarieB]

Thank you meirish!   

[Deb 27]

I find that the SPF clothes work a little better than sunscreen. Just my two cents worth. One of the first signs that I had of auto immune disease was something called morphea. I went to the dermatologists for it and got diagnosed with a skin biopsy. It "burned out" after about a year or two, like they said it would. I do have a few scars from it though.