From a butterfly rash to kidney problems, seemingly unrelated symptoms of lupus can develop across a person’s body — and some can be surprising. One MyLupusTeam member shared, “I’ve had this marble-size lump on the inner crease of my elbow for a few months now. It is not painful, but now my entire arm hurts and goes numb.”

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation and damage. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of the condition. Can an elbow lump have anything to do with a lupus diagnosis? Although lumps under the skin aren’t among the common symptoms of lupus, many MyLupusTeam members have reported this type of symptom. Here, we explore common causes of lumps and bumps in the crease of your elbow and what you can do about them.

Lupus Skin Diseases

When someone with lupus has skin symptoms, including a lump below the surface, their rheumatologist should rule out cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). About 10 percent of lupus is cutaneous, meaning it affects the skin. Up to 65 percent of those with SLE also have skin lupus.

There are three types of cutaneous lupus:

• Acute cutaneous lupus — This usually presents as the butterfly rash on the face and cheeks and is less likely to cause bumps elsewhere on the body, although it can be generalized. The lesions can be triggered or worsened by sun exposure.
• Subacute cutaneous lupus — These lesions often resemble pimples, are usually triggered by sun exposure, and can appear anywhere on the body. They vary in shape and color, often presenting as pink circles in lighter skin tones and as darker or depigmented (lighter) patches in darker skin.
• Chronic cutaneous lupus — The most common of the many types of chronic cutaneous is discoid lupus. The discolored, scaly patches often appear on the scalp, nose, earlobes, hands, and neck and aren’t itchy or painful but may cause alopecia (hair loss) with scarring.

To prevent flare-ups of acute and subacute lupus, it’s important to be aware of photosensitivity. Protect your skin from exposure by applying sunscreen and using umbrellas, as well as wearing hats, gloves, and clothing that covers your legs.

Other nonspecific lupus lesions include:

• Nodules (rounded lumps)
• Blisters
• Discoloration around the nails
• Thickened skin
• Weblike discoloration
• Hair loss without scarring

If you have a lump underneath your skin rather than a rash or lesion on your skin, it’s most likely not related to lupus.

Can You Feel Lymph Nodes in the Elbow Crease?

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that filter harmful substances and help fight infection by producing and storing immune cells. You may be able to feel epitrochlear lymph nodes, which are located inside of your elbow crease. Most people have one to four of them.

Some people with lupus experience swollen lymph nodes, particularly during a flare. “Does anyone else deal with lymph node swelling?” one MyLupusTeam member asked. Another replied, “Yes — I had one removed and it came back!”

For certain individuals with lupus, a lump in the elbow crease might be related to a swollen epitrochlear lymph node. It may look like a lump on the inside of the arm near the elbow or a lump in the bend of the arm. With a symptom like this, it’s important to see a physician who can conduct a physical exam. If needed, they may order an ultrasound test to confirm if swollen lymph nodes are indeed involved or if there is another likely cause.

Other Common Causes of Elbow Crease Lumps

Like anyone else, people with lupus can develop skin conditions such as lipomas, cysts, and infections. Here are some potential causes of a lump in the elbow crease.

Lipoma

“I have had a lump (swelling) on the inside of my elbow before. My doctor diagnosed it as lipoma,” one member shared. A lipoma is a slow-growing, benign, fatty lump found between the skin and muscle layers. Notably, a lipoma feels soft and moveable and isn’t painful or tender. As with any swelling or lump you find on any part of the body, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.

Usually, lipomas don’t need to be removed. However, if it is large enough to affect your mobility, grows quickly, or causes joint pain, you can talk with your doctor about getting it removed.

Cysts

Cysts are abnormal pockets of fluid that can occur anywhere, on both internal organs and the skin. A sebaceous cyst occurs when the sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum to lubricate your skin and hair, gets clogged. A sebaceous cyst appears as a round lump under the skin, usually — but not always — around areas that have hair.

Sebaceous cysts are usually benign (not cancerous). However, if the cyst causes problems or shows signs of infection, with symptoms such as skin discoloration, swelling, tenderness, or pus, your doctor may choose to treat it with antibiotics and then drain or remove it. “I get small tumors and cysts under my skin often (had a few removed and one actually hospitalized me for five days,” one member said.

Some types of cysts on your elbow can cause complications if they disrupt surrounding tissue, including nerves. “I had an MRI to see if there was a nerve or spinal cord problem causing my one leg to give out on me. I couldn’t put any weight on it, then it would taper off to a limp, and I’d be fine by the next day,” a member wrote. “The MRI showed nothing problematic, just a mention of a Tarlov cyst at the base of the spine.”

If a cyst grows too large in the inside of your elbow, it may cause numbness, pain, and tingling in the affected arm. In that case, you may want to have a doctor check it out and perhaps remove it.

Infection

People living with lupus are more likely to experience infections than people without lupus. Both the autoimmune disease itself and the side effects of immunosuppressive medications used to treat it can make you more susceptible to infection, often affecting the skin. The infection may appear as bumps on or under the skin, including in the elbow crease.

Bacterial Skin Infections

Folliculitis, a bacterial infection of the hair follicles, can cause clusters of small bumps. If folliculitis gets worse, a pus-filled bump can break open, and the surrounding skin usually itches, burns, or feels painful or tender. Folliculitis is a common cause of an inflamed bump that could appear around the elbow. If you believe you have folliculitis and symptoms don’t go away after a week or two, your doctor can prescribe antibiotic medication to treat it.

Viral Skin Infections

Another type of skin infection, caused by HPV, is a wart. Warts appear as rough, raised, skin-colored bumps, either isolated or in clusters. Warts most commonly affect the fingers and hands, but they can also be found across the body. These skin lesions are contagious and usually enter the skin through a cut or another injury. Warts can be frozen off with cryotherapy or dissolved with topical salicylic acid.

Scabies

If you have multiple raised, crusted, itchy, discolored bumps in the crease of your elbow, they could be caused by the bite of a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Scabies bites are more likely to occur in children and older people, especially in crowded communities. Immunocompromised people are also more likely to react to the bites. A lotion can be prescribed for treatment, and those with scabies should be treated promptly to prevent spreading the condition to others.

Eczema

Atopic dermatitis, the most common subtype of eczema, causes dry, itchy skin and rashes that often appear inside the elbows. One systematic review found that people with atopic dermatitis have about 1.5 times the odds of developing SLE than people without atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis typically first appears in childhood and is often associated with conditions like asthma. It can affect various areas of the body. Treatment options include medications, skin creams, and light therapy, usually under the care of a dermatology expert.

When To Visit Your Doctor

Usually, bumps on your elbows are harmless. However, it’s important to get any new, growing, or inflamed lumps checked by your rheumatologist or dermatologist. They may recommend a workup, which could include a biopsy — removing a small tissue sample to examine under a microscope.

If you think you may have an infection, treatment can help stop it from spreading. If you have a lipoma or cyst that is causing mobility issues or discomfort, you may want it removed or drained. Anyone with lupus and skin abnormalities should rule out cutaneous lupus with their rheumatologist or other health care provider.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 231,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Have you ever noticed strange lumps or bumps on your body? What tips can you offer others experiencing this type of symptom? Share your insights in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.