Itching, Numbness, and Lupus

[Guest guest]

Most of the itching and numbness that 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.

Other diseases can cause the neuropathy as well. Those being Multiple

Sclerosis, Diabetes, and Fibromyalgia.

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 numb feeling, 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.

If the numbness in the limbs, fingers, or toes gets too bad, it should

be investigated by a doctor. When the fingers and toes become numb,

there is a chance of stubbing the toes and not even knowing the toe is

hurt. This can lead to infection.

Some numbness may also be caused by compromised blood flow because of a

condition called " Syndrome " or sticky blood. It causes small

clots to form in the blood vessels. In the smaller blood vessels in the

feet and hands, it first shows signs of a feeling of numbness or itching.

Diabetes can also cause numbness in the extremities and can progress to

the point of gangrene.