Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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do you have to have a rash?

ds13099
ds13099
Ok I have all the symptoms of Lupus, been seeing many many drs over the years I have a great Rheumy dr who has now said it has shown 2 xs in blood work but needs to see if it shows agaion, but I do not get a rash. Has anyone with Lupus not had a rash?
deleted_user
deleted_user
You dont have to have the rash to be dx with lupus. You dont even need to have all the symptoms. Some people only suffer from some of the symptoms while others suffer from all of them. Positive blood work within a couple of months of eachother, plus at least 4 symptoms in the criteria are usually enough for a dx. BUT, if it is just your ANA that is elevated/positvie then you may not have lupus but may have UCTD or MCTD (undifferentiated mixed connective tissue disease/mixed connective tissue disease) or another auto immune disease. An ANA is not the most specific blood test to confirm lupus. Has your dr. spoken to you about starting a medication? This is really the true confirmation if you have a connective tissue disease or lupus. Im sorry if this is all over the place. My toddler is screaming for me....
hugs
Allisonc79
Allisonc79
Do you get an itchy scalp? I don't get a rash but for some reason my scalp is most affected. But plaquenil has helped tame that down. I don't have a rash per say but I notice a redness around my nose and cheeks after I have been in the sun, or exposed to heat. I also get various red spots on my chest area, but nothing major.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The part about showing up 2X in the blood? Not true. Although it's not a bad idea to DOUBLECHECK any test results that can be life-altering.

To diagnose lupus, a patient has to have at least 4 of the 11 ACR criteria. Some of the criteria are lab based, some are not. For instance, you can be diagnosed if you have a malar rash, sun sensitivity, seizures, and kidney symptoms. A rash or malar rash aren't necessary as long as you have another symptom to bring you to a total of 4 or more.

But there is not "rule" that the blood work tests (I'm not sure whether your doc means an ANA or anti-DSdna, or one of the other assorted provabilities.