Lupus Support - Lupus - signs it's worsening?

Author

Lupus - signs it's worsening?

Mahogany

2005-07-03, 12:35 pm

I have been quite lucky with my lupus and other than arthritis, I have
not suffered in the way in which some people have unfortunately had to
- I have never been on medication long term for anything related to
lupus and my arthritis was worse during childhood than it is now. But
recently (the last 6 months) I have started getting dry circular
patches on my skin all over my body and as I have dark skin, they're
very noticeable. Again, I guess I can cope with this and have been
told enough about lupus to know that this can be part and parcel of the
disease, although I did think this was something that happened first.
What IS troubling me (and this was, I admit, prompted by vanity and the
fact it's summertime), is that on the soles of my feet, I seem to be
developing what looks like large freckles or small liver spots you find
on the hands of the elderly, and each one, after a while, develops in
to a very dry circular patch that looks so unsightly as there are so
many. The nails are extremely weak and the skin around them dry and
I've had to miss out on my french toe manicure this summer! Pedicures
are no good, the dry skin is not just on the top layer. I have tried
creams and oils and sand paper and cheese graters but still nothing. I
have been to 2 chiropdists and a dermatologist, who can't give me an
answer, but as soon as I say 'by the way, I have Lupus', they decide
this is what it must be as they have no answers. My question is, IS it
Lupus? Is this an indication that my condition is worsening? My scalp
also is developing these same sorts of dry areas and my hair is getting
thinner in these areas. Everywhere else, these areas itch, but not on
my feet. I always had such pretty feet! A holistic doctor said my
liver is weak also after doing a barrage of tests. I'm between
consultants at the moment so am still waiting for an appointment, so
thought I would come here as a sort of heads up as to what might be the
problem or if I am, as I suspect, beginning to feel the true problems
that can be associated with Lupus. Thanks in advance and for taking
the time to read this!

Andy

2005-07-03, 12:35 pm

In article <1120238848.971096.306730@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
Mahogany <mahogany0@hotmail.com> wrote
>I have been quite lucky with my lupus and other than arthritis, I have
>not suffered in the way in which some people have unfortunately had to
>- I have never been on medication long term for anything related to
>lupus and my arthritis was worse during childhood than it is now. But
>recently (the last 6 months) I have started getting dry circular
>patches on my skin all over my body and as I have dark skin, they're
>very noticeable.

How big are they?
--
Andy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group]
See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more!

2005-07-03, 12:35 pm

Mahogany wrote:

> I have been quite lucky with my lupus and other than arthritis, I have
> not suffered in the way in which some people have unfortunately had to
> - I have never been on medication long term for anything related to
> lupus and my arthritis was worse during childhood than it is now. But
> recently (the last 6 months) I have started getting dry circular
> patches on my skin all over my body and as I have dark skin, they're
> very noticeable. Again, I guess I can cope with this and have been
> told enough about lupus to know that this can be part and parcel of the
> disease, although I did think this was something that happened first.
> What IS troubling me (and this was, I admit, prompted by vanity and the
> fact it's summertime), is that on the soles of my feet, I seem to be
> developing what looks like large freckles or small liver spots you find
> on the hands of the elderly, and each one, after a while, develops in
> to a very dry circular patch that looks so unsightly as there are so
> many. The nails are extremely weak and the skin around them dry and
> I've had to miss out on my french toe manicure this summer! Pedicures
> are no good, the dry skin is not just on the top layer. I have tried
> creams and oils and sand paper and cheese graters but still nothing. I
> have been to 2 chiropdists and a dermatologist, who can't give me an
> answer, but as soon as I say 'by the way, I have Lupus', they decide
> this is what it must be as they have no answers. My question is, IS it
> Lupus? Is this an indication that my condition is worsening? My scalp
> also is developing these same sorts of dry areas and my hair is getting
> thinner in these areas. Everywhere else, these areas itch, but not on
> my feet. I always had such pretty feet! A holistic doctor said my
> liver is weak also after doing a barrage of tests. I'm between
> consultants at the moment so am still waiting for an appointment, so
> thought I would come here as a sort of heads up as to what might be the
> problem or if I am, as I suspect, beginning to feel the true problems
> that can be associated with Lupus. Thanks in advance and for taking
> the time to read this!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/eczema1.shtml
Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin. The term comes from the
ancient Greek language meaning 'to boil over', which is how the skin feels
for about one in five children and one in ten adults who are affected.

Other less common types are seborrhoeic eczema, which affects the scalp and
eye-lashes as a severe form of dandruff; and discoid eczema, which causes
circular patches of eczema over body.
What makes eczema worse?

Many people with eczema find that certain triggers will make their eczema
worse, including:

* emotional or physical stress
* for women, their periods
* illness
* certain foods
* changes in the weather

It's difficult to prevent eczema from occurring in the first place but an
important part of the treatment is to try and avoid any triggers

discoid eczema? there's pictures here, but keep in mind they often show the
worst.
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/num...dermatitis.html

Discoid eczema can affect any part of the body particularly the lower leg.
One or many patches appear, and may persist for weeks or months.

The majority of patches are round or oval, hence the name ‘discoid‘ or
‘nummular’ dermatitis, which refers to their disc or coin shape. They can
be several centimetres across, or as small as two millimetres.

The patches are pink, red, or brown and well defined. They have a dry
cracked surface or a bumpy, blistered or crusted surface. Discoid eczema
may be extremely itchy, or scarcely noticeable. The skin between the
patches is usually normal, but may be dry and irritable.

The patches may clear up without leaving a sign. However, in darker skins,
marks may persist for months. These may be dark brown (postinflammatory
hyperpigmentation) or paler than surrounding skin (postinflammatory
hypopigmentation).

There was a "dry skin" thread a while back. you might want to read through
it to see what others did/used
http://tinyurl.com/aycr2 2nd thread
Each mentioned their solutions. BJ mentioned a power tool, must have meant
sander.
Her preventative is applying Aveeno (oil or cream) right after being wet
(bathing)
Another mentioned Vaseline. There are other solutions mentioned there.

????
I don't know. I don't want to make things worse for you.
J

Mahogany

2005-07-07, 11:51 am

they are very small but there are alot of them on the soles and the
heels and they start out as dark coloured freckles before turning in to
dry patches.