Malar rash question

I know that a malar rash can look different on one person vs the next, but I am wondering if what happens to me could be considered one. I appreciate any input you’re willing to share.

Does a malar rash hang around all the time or flush for a period of time then fade?
I am a fair-complected, freckly sort of lady so I have always been prone to flushing. But lately when I’m running fever, tired, stressed, or exposed to temperature fluctuations I flush worse than normal. It’s hard to get a picture that accurately represents what’s happening but I have one (or a few) I can attach if it helps. I just have to figure out how to attach photos. It’s mostly at night when I am tired. It’s across the bridge of my nose, down my cheeks, and flares out around my jaw line. Last night it happened and extended down my whole neck and chest. However, I go to bed and wake up my normal only slightly rosy self after a full nights rest.

Does a malar rash do that, or does this sound like something else entirely? I ask since I’m still not diagnosed and waiting on what seems like an endless parade of labs and testing. I was wondering how important that is to bring up to my doctor

I actually wonder the same thing. My face flushes in the same areas when I’m stressed, tired or just feel bad. It is very noticeable during those times and then seems to fade and be less noticeable at other times My diagnosis was that I have a “slight case” of lupus because my main complaints are joint pain and fatigue and my ANA is positive. I asked my doctor about my face and he showed me pictures of people with terrible rashes saying that it would have to be like that to be related to lupus. I don’t think that is true. I am not sure is my response, I guess; I’d like to know too!

Ditto .... If I get in the sun or get very tired, my face turns blood red. If I touch my skin on a "normal day", it turns red, if I wash my face, it turns red (without scrubbing at all)... I am not yet diagnosed either .. and do get "patches" of a rash at times, but mainly my face reacts as described above. Thank you!!

I have my mylar rash all the time, but does seem to be "lighter" in the mornings. But mine is always there. I have my mylar rash for a good 5 years before I was ever diagnosed with Lupus. I thought I was just flushed as I was always warmer than anyone else.

Have your Dr check to see if you have rosacea. It’s not uncommon… more common for ppl w/ autoimmune conditions.

A malar rash doesn’t have to be as severe as textbook med journal pics tho… they take pics of the worst cases. It can appear milder.

My Dr told me that the (famous) butterfly rash is sign of a Flare up. And to take my Prednisone at those times. Sometimes the pred helps, sometimes it doesn't.

Hope,

Your doctor is an idiot...Sorrry, but did he really say that? You don't have "slight" lupus. There is a list of symptoms and to be considered to have Lupus you have to have whatever number of them.

I have moderate to severe Lupus class 3 & 5 as well as Lupus Nephritis.

I am ANA neg (one of the 1% of lupus patients that are) and I have only ever had a slight reddening, depending on the circumstances. It's almost always if I have been in the sun for to long or overdone too much of something and am fatigued.

A malar rash is only 1 of 11 symptoms that Rheumys look for when diagnosis lupus. You may want to think about seeing someone with a bit more experience.

Stay healthy,

DeAnne

Dear DeAnne ... thank you for your post! I do believe patients on this site know more than the doctors we see. Hugs, Dee

Tootles,

Thanks. Wanted to kick myself after I posted, because I tend to be, well, a moderator and certainly don't claim to be an expert. My doctor, however, is. She is always ready with any answer to any question and I always want to pass that info on to our members.

I had asked her why I hardly ever had a rash with what she calls a "robust" case of lupus. Because of being ANA neg it took a kidney biopsy to diagnose.

ANA or a rash or any ONE symptom cannot be the only indicator and I think too many doctors rely solely on that. Even Dr. House (who is always looking for lupus in his patients casually dismissed a patient because of ANA neg results). Last time that I watched the show. It's because of this narrow thinking that people don't get diagnosed until they have or stroke or other organ failure. It's important to take more than one single blood test or symptom into account when getting a diagnosis and you either have it or you don't. You may have a milder case, but slight Lupus, duh!

That's like saying you're "slightly" pregnant.

I will always come to this site and only this site because we do share so much and just looking up the definition is confusing and frustrating and scary.

We Lupies gotta stick together!

Hugs back atcha, Tootles.

DeAnne

Well actually today I got my tests results in and ANA was negative. So the rheumatologist basically closed the case on lupus and offered to prescribe a stronger anti-inflamatory. The nurse said there aren't false negatives for ANA tests so I definitely don't have lupus. I said I really didn't want a stronger anti-inflamatory as I think my dose is fine, but the pain is not the only thing wrecking my life right now. The biggest problem is this severe, persistant fatigue. So for that she suggested all these lifestyle/diet changes I either already do or have tried to no avail (ex low carb diet, diabetic diet, no carb diet). I've been very upset today... not because I don't have lupus or RA. I am glad for that. But because the world won't wait for me to find out what's wrong with me and every day it feels like a marathon just to get through work.

Thanks for the support. I probably won't be around much longer since I don't have lupus. I just feel silly.

Hi!, it is called the Lupus Butterfly Rash which is very common! really it's the nerve system that flares this . our body is crazy , the things that you go through daily reflects the rash to come out , and yes it goes away just as though it came. Rest helps , well okay sleep. Funny - yeah i know , also stay away from STRESS and touching your face with dirty hands - i have to carry baby sensative wipes everywhere all the time.. Hope things get better for you...Beverly L.

Thanks Beverly and everyone… I’m not sure why I get this rash on my face. It’s definitely butterfly shaped and gets worse and worse. Does anyone know what besides lupus and rosacea can cause a rash like that? Could it just be random and idiopathic. I’m just lost. I thought for sure it was lupus when I had that rash and started experiencing raynaud’s in my hands and toes. Now I’m being told it’s not a possibility at all. I don’t want lupus I just don’t want to be ignored by doctors because I’m miserable physically and they keep treating me like a mental health case, like it’s all in my head.

You are stressing ! The doctors will tell you anything if you don’t stand up for yourself! You have to express to them calmly how you are having the pain and what you are experiencing , tell them it is not your norm. , take someone with you who can let the doctor know -yes ! That is true , the problems and things that you go through are 4real and they are with you daily. Two people saying the same thing , the doc will know or just ask for them to run tests to be on the safe side of things…Beverly L.

Thanks that’s a good idea. My husband is the one who sees me every day and has offered to go with me. I think I may bring him in the next appt if able… Plus I plan to document how I take care of myself (every bite I eat, every exercise I do if I am able to start doing it again, the vitamins I take, etcetera) so they will know why “eat a better diet and do water aerobics” is not the answer for me

Yes! That’s what I had to do!! Turst me it will help.Hope everything go well for you…Beverly L.

Mine is pretty much the same but an extreme case. Plus now its scarring up from going untreated so long. Dark red scarring. It goes down my neck and chest as well. Hope u got the answers u were looking for. God bless (:

Lulu,

Just for giggles tho, keep an eye on your kidneys and your protein leakage. I have never been ANA positive. I don't know why ANA is always used as THE marker. I get very angry about this as I know that I would not be as ill as I am had any of my PC's in the past looked blood tests.

Now, it is too late.

Best of luck and best of health,

DeAnne

Lulu said:

Well actually today I got my tests results in and ANA was negative. So the rheumatologist basically closed the case on lupus and offered to prescribe a stronger anti-inflamatory. The nurse said there aren't false negatives for ANA tests so I definitely don't have lupus. I said I really didn't want a stronger anti-inflamatory as I think my dose is fine, but the pain is not the only thing wrecking my life right now. The biggest problem is this severe, persistant fatigue. So for that she suggested all these lifestyle/diet changes I either already do or have tried to no avail (ex low carb diet, diabetic diet, no carb diet). I've been very upset today... not because I don't have lupus or RA. I am glad for that. But because the world won't wait for me to find out what's wrong with me and every day it feels like a marathon just to get through work.

Thanks for the support. I probably won't be around much longer since I don't have lupus. I just feel silly.