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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Lupus from skin biopsy???

towne75
towne75
Hi all! I am just visiting this board, as I have RA and generally linger on that one...... At any rate, I have had a persistent itchy skin rash that has lasted for a couple of months - started on ankle, and now have it on backs of hands, ankle, forearms and elbows (and small areas cropping up other places as well). Rash starts out with little bumps and then turns pink, hard and crusty. After speaking to my rheumy, she referred me to a dermatologist and told me to call her after I got any results or diagnosis. Dermatologist called me last night saying that the result was inconclusive, but highly suggestive of a type of Lupus. Anyone have this symptom? I do not have any face rash at all.......
nanny1611
nanny1611
Hi, towne75, and nice to meet you. Yes, I have skin issues quite frequently, and my skin biopsies were what gave me the diagnosis of lupus. One doctor had suspected it for years, but my blood work was always negative for lupus. Autoimmune diseases like to "run in packs," so it wouldn't be surprising for someone with RA to also have lupus. In my case, I have lupus and polymyositis (or dermatomyositis--not sure which). Don't know if it would help you, but using coconut oil really helps me. And because it's a food product, it's safe to use as much as needed. Well, unless you're allergic to coconut. As for not having a facial rash, sometimes it can come and go. You might just looked "flushed", like you've overexercised, when it could actually be the malar (butterfly) rash.

Feel free to read some of the older posts, as you will see that lupus can manifest itself in MANY different ways. It seems to travel around the body, wreaking havoc just about anywhere. Have you ever kept a food log? That's sometimes helpful in recognizing a food trigger that's causing inflammation or an exacerbation of your symptoms. Feel free to ask questions here. And best wishes to you.
Mel1967
Mel1967
Hi towne75, lupus and RA can involve skin issues that you are describing. I had been having severe joint pain and fatigue, but never thought too much about it when I first became ill 20+ yrs ago. Then I began to get rashes and that is when the doctors honed in on lupus; soon after my ANA and other tests showed positive and became to soar. Have they done a scrapping of the rash and biopsied it? They can test that area for lupus as well.

My son also has lupus and RA, until recently he never experienced skin related issues. A couple months ago he began getting rashes on his legs and abdomen. Just goes to show every person with lupus is different, you just never know.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have as well.
Hugs,
Melissa