Hair on skin feeling but no hair

I am in the midst of finalizing a diagnosis of Lupus.  I often feel like I have a hair on or bugs crawling on my arms and head and now feel like there is a hair on my nose but there is not.  Has anyone experienced this?  Do you know a reason?  It is driving me crazy!

[AireScottie]

I have Small Fiber Neuropathy, a type of Peripheral Neuropathy, most likely as a result of Sjogren's, and I get that all the time.  The ironic thing is, when I actually have a bug crawling on me, I can't feel it!  I get crawly bugs, cold water running down legs, and burning.  PN is really common with autoimmune diseases, and personally, I would argue that most fibromyalgia is actually PN (but that's just my opinion).  You can get an EMG to check for most PN.  Small fiber doesn't show up on EMG, though, so you have to get a skin biopsy to diagnose that, and I guess there are only a few hospitals that can do it.

[TrudieC]

Thank you so much for responding.  Now I don't feel so crazy.  I wondered if something related to neuropathy was involved.

[krndhn]

Gosh I am so relieved to read this!  I thought I was going crazy too!  I notice the same feeling on the back of my calf  when wearing shorts,  and then more recently on my forehead... feels like a hair tickling my skin but there is no hair there!  I too have lupus and sjogrens both.  So glad to finally have an explanation!

[AireScottie]

Glad to help ladies :)  When I started feeling cold water that wasn't there, I didn't tell any docs, 'cause I thought they'd say I was nuts!  It was such a relief when my Neurologist asked if I ever got that feeling.  I wish Rheumies were better informed about this, or at least knew enough to send their patients to a Neuro to be evaluated.

[karajo]

I too get the feeling that something is crawling on me.  I haven't had the cold water feeling though.  The one I have the most is the feeling that someone has taken their hands and cupped them over my head and is running their cupped hands down my head.  I also sometimes get shocky feelings down my neck and arm.  I haven't mentioned any of this to drs. as I don't think they would do anything other than think I'm a complainer.

[TrudieC]

Today it is out of control.  The skin on all of my body feels like it is jumping.  I am so uncomfortable.  My face feels like the aftermath of someone slapping it.  I am in the midst of a bad flare.   I did talk with my family doctor yesterday and he agrees I am likely having some neuropathic issues and am trying to get my rheumatologists office to call me back.  This isn't something to ignore.

[AireScottie]

Sorry you're having so much trouble today!  You definitely should have testing done, so you know if it's large nerves, if it's progressing, etc.  Also, lupus seems like a good cause, but a neurologist might want to look for other causes, and you wouldn't want to miss something by assuming it's from lupus.  If the rheumy doesn't call back, can your family doc refer you straight to a neuro?