Itching and Lupus

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Most of the itching lupus patients endure is because of neuropathy (a

disorder of the nervous system). It is caused when the nerve endings

become irritated by medication, kidney involvement, and skin

involvement. Lupus patients on high doses of prednisone sometimes become

diabetic which also can cause the skin to itch when blood sugars are too

high.

The sensation of itching is due to irritation of nerve fibers in the

skin. Some of the sensations of neuropathy have been described as a

cottony feeling between fingers or toes, a tingling sensation as if the

area of the body is " falling asleep " , a feeling of " bugs crawling " on

the skin, or a sensation of water dripping and running across the skin.

If the irritation is more intense, it may cause a burning sensation.

Lupus can also be another instigator of hives. Most treatments focus on

topical skin care to relieve the inflammation, itching, and scaling. For

more severe cases, oral medications are used.

Ointments containing antihistamines (Benadryl cream) and/or

cortisteroids (Cortaid) are the first line of defense. If the itching

doesn't resolve, oral antihistamines and/or prednisone is given.

Sometimes the anti-anxiety drugs Xanax or Valium will help to calm the

nerve endings.

Patients can help the situation by limiting their salt intake (nitrates

can cause the skin to itch), eliminating sugar, and lowering the protein

intake in their diet. By drinking plenty of water, the patient is better

able to flush out the toxins in the body caused by kidneys that are not

functioning at 100%.

Oatmeal baths may help minimize the itch of hives. Cool wet compresses

may help as well. Heat is NOT advised, nor is ice.

Lupus patients must be very careful their " itching " doesn't cause any

secondary infections. Scratching the itch normally is no problem, but in

lupus patients, the skin is extremely sensitive, breaks open easily, and

can quickly become infected.