In the past I have had very minor rashes on my cheeks, an extra Plaquenil for few days usually takes care of it. However this past week I have a rash that is getting progressivly worse, its all over my cheeks, spreading to my nose, upper lip and chin. It is red raised bumps. Waiting to hear back from the Rheummy, but in the mean time…anyone else have this? Wonder if I will need to do another Prednisone taper.
sounds like the classic butterfly rash, discoid lupus I've had this mess on my face since the very begining plaquenil helped at first, as did prednisone but its never been completely gone, I use it now as a gauge for disease activity, the worse the soars the more active the sle is so far its been an excellent gauge according to the derm. I know this sounds a little weird I wish I could get rid of them, the scars are to say the least unsightly and don't cover well with make up in addition to sores I also have scars from old sores too. A good derm is the best source for dealing with the skin portion of lupus, if you find something that actually works please let us know.
I’ve had lupus 20 yrs but just recently had rashes everywhere. Went to derm and said some were lupus, some abcesses, some fungus. My rheumy wasn’t concerned at all. They lasted four months now. Rheumy did labs and lupus doesn’t show active. On my own went to dr and got lotions to help. Does blood work always show that it’s active? Can the rashes appear for months and levels not go up, but we r still in active sle? Very confusing.
I have that. It was diagnosed as rosacea. Coconut oil has helped a lot. Rosacea is a symptom rather than a disease in itself. It can be caused by allergy to meds or foods, especially gluten, and by other bodily problems that are not all clear. Mine is related to my heart problem. The worse my heart acts, the worse the rosacea gets. The classic Lupus rash doesn't get bumps like rosacea does.
That happened to me earlier this year. It was a signal of a major flare beginning and I believe (my Rheumatologist agrees) the antibiotic I was taking (prescribed by my PCP) made it MUCH worse. Are you taking Bactrim or another antibiotic that has side effects of causing sensitivity to sunlight? This could be the problem. We who have lupus are cautioned about using and medication that causes photosensitivity as a side effect. Take care.
Warrior, no Im not on any antibiotics…and stay out of the sun at all costs…this disease continues to surprise me with new symptoms.
Im sorry to say but you are having a flare up if sounds like that Butterfly that y we get on our faces due to sun exposure
My Rheummy put me on two weeks of a medication called COLCRYS…every other day. Wow, after the second dose, I can see a big difference!
Flygirl, did he tell you what it was? A diagnosis? I looked it up. Precautions and side effects to be aware of:
Thats interesting, colcrys is medication used to treat gout mostly, I'd be curious to know if the results are long lasting as I've tried lots of meds to clear up the sores on my face and nothing works long term.
Hopeful, you are correct, that what it is generally used for. I take it for two weeks, so will report back in a few weeks to see if it works long term. In my experience with this disease…nothing works forevermore…i just retake meds when flareups happen. Will see though!
Sheila, thank you…I always look up side effects first thing with new meds…although many of them sound like any other flare to me. 
I had called into the doc and described the rash…they said it was a lupus rash…i did my research, looks like rosacea to me, whats the difference between the two anyway? So, have had some improvement with the colcrys…will see if it continues.
Tracy
Rosacea has bumps and sometimes pimple looking tiny blisters. Lupus rash is smooth.
Flygirl said:
Sheila, thank you...looks like rosacea to me, whats the difference between the two anyway? So, have had some improvement with the colcrys....will see if it continues.
Tracy
Sheila, you described it exactly…must be rosacea.
I use rose water and chamomile to sooth my angry rashy skin. You can find rose water in the international isle at your grocery store or at a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern grocery store. As for the chamomile, just pick up some chamomile tea. Brew it strong and soak a flannel cloth in cooled tea, drape on face and let sit for about five minutes. Same goes for the rose water. Repeat as many times as you like.
Look what I just saw on TV! An ad for all natural Rosacea gel. I think i'll try it.
http://www.alva-amco.com/products/prosacea
In another discussion they are talking about dermablend that covers anything, including tattoos and strawberry marks and other skin discoloration and they say it stays on even if you perspire or go swimming, so I might try that too.
Flygirl said:
Sheila, you described it exactly...must be rosacea.