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.

912 Members

7,373 Posts

0 Online

BarbaraB12 09/14/2009

i'm gonna try this again..not getting response on the scleroderma site so maybe here..my question is I was told i have CREST, not really sure what that all means but, i have little red dots on my figers and face more last few weeks but the older ones some to change colors..they go from red to purple almost black but then back to red..is this normal? doesn't hurt or anything just there. have a great week!
Barbara

deleted_user 09/14/2009

These little red dots sound like telangiectasias. Check to see if they blanch with pressure. Telangiectasias do, petechiae do not. If they do, then you should be aware that both telangiectasias (on the face or fingers or in the mouth) and pulmonary hypertension can have a common cause - CREST scleroderma. Other signs of CREST include calcium deposits under the skin, Raynaud's, difficulty swallowing (food lingers in the lower esophagus) or gastric reflex, and swelling fingers.

deleted_user 09/14/2009

have you tried Sclero.org the only thing preventing me from being scleroderma is the tight skin on my hands and i only have slight issues with my esopahgus

BarbaraB12 09/14/2009

yes i have raynauds and swelling fingers they swell so much won't bend it's not petechiae but my question do they turn black? cause that's what they are doing! thank you for responding!

deleted_user 09/15/2009

Hi Amy,
Can it be common for lupies to have difficulty swallowing at times? I have had this issue and it seems more often lately. The food doesnt actually get stuck in my throat, its just hard to swallow at times. Like i have to force myself. Its weird.

Barb...I dont know anything about CREST or the little dots your talking about.There is a great website called Physicians for Patients.com . It is for lupus patients and you can actually ask the dr.s questions and they will ANSWER them within a day. I have done it a couple times and they are wonderful. Everyone else should jot down the website..It can come in handy when you have a question that no one else knows how to answer.
Hugs to all

deleted_user 09/15/2009

if you have scleroderma it can cause issues with swallowing..i used to have issues swallowing like i had to think about it but i was also anxious at time when it happened... but sheesh swallowing problems will make anyone anxious. :)

i know petechiae can turn red, purple or blue

deleted_user 09/15/2009

i have red dots on me but they always told me folliculitis... they turned some weird colors too

deleted_user 09/15/2009

maybe puritic folliculitis

deleted_user 09/15/2009

I was diagnosed with three autoimmune diseases many years ago, lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. I'm not sure that it's the same red dots you have, but I had them all over my body at one time. They have been ever so slowly disappearing, and from what I understand, it has been helped through high nutrition.

Join the Conversation