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Arthritis (Expert Forum)
Rash
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.
Rash
by paranoid?, Apr 24, 2004 12:00AM
I have a rash on my righ upper arm. It has been there for years 3-4. It brown (darker then my skin) pigmentation. Feels alittle rough. I went to the doctor (PCP) and he told me that it was from the sun, gave me some kind of ointment but said it probably wont go away. Well I developed another rash on my left buttock. It covers about 1/2 of it. But it is my reddish, but faint. It doesn't itch but I have noticed it for about 3 weeks. I fractured my left knee in 2001, so I have pain in my knee sometimes, which also causes my left foot to tingle sometimes. I've seen an ortho about it and he said that wasn't uncommon.
Well I went to a dermotologist about my rashes. She mentioned something about Morphea and is having me take a blood test (lupus panel). Oh I forgot to mention that my PCP also saw my rash on my buttocks, and wasn't concern.
From going to don't worry about it to been screen for Lupus I am really scared. I don't have any other rashes, or joint pains. No chronic fatigue. I thought the rashes for lupus were more common on the face.
Well I went to a dermotologist about my rashes. She mentioned something about Morphea and is having me take a blood test (lupus panel). Oh I forgot to mention that my PCP also saw my rash on my buttocks, and wasn't concern.
From going to don't worry about it to been screen for Lupus I am really scared. I don't have any other rashes, or joint pains. No chronic fatigue. I thought the rashes for lupus were more common on the face.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 24, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 24, 2004 12:00AM
The typical "butterfly" facial rash in lupus occurs in 1/2 of patients. It is likely that your physician wants to ensure that no other rheumatological diseases can cause the buttock rash. Fatigue, fever, and weight loss are typically present some time during the course of the disease, occurring in 50 to 100 percent of patients. Joint symptoms occur in over 90 percent of patients at some time during the illness and are often the earliest manifestation. The arthritis tends to be migratory and asymmetrical.
If the blood tests for lupus are negative, you may want to consider a skin biopsy for a more definitive result. A second dermatological option can be considered.
You may want to discuss these options with your physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Bibliography:
Schur. Overview of the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. UptoDate, 2004.
If the blood tests for lupus are negative, you may want to consider a skin biopsy for a more definitive result. A second dermatological option can be considered.
You may want to discuss these options with your physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Bibliography:
Schur. Overview of the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. UptoDate, 2004.
