Have you ever wondered if unusual skin symptoms like persistent itching and unexplained bruising could be connected to your lupus diagnosis? Several members of MyLupusTeam have shared their experience with these symptoms, offering a supportive platform to navigate this part of their lupus journey. Read on to find out if you share similar symptoms and how to manage them.

One member mentioned, “I will scratch my side, just a little itch, and it’s very painful! It’s as if I touched a very bad bruise, but it’s not blue, black, or purple at all. … It’s in all different places, like my back, side, shoulder, thigh, hip, and calf. There’s no visual evidence of any bruising. And the next day, it’s gone. Once in a while, it may be in the same spot for two days in a row, but that’s rare. … This has started to concern me.”

Others with lupus have spotted bruises but don’t remember getting hurt, such as one member who discovered unexplained bruising on their legs. “I have bruises all over my legs. I don’t know where they are coming from. It worries me,” they said.

There are several possible explanations for these symptoms. Sometimes, adjusting your medication or trying different skin care strategies can help.

One MyLupusTeam member suggested, “Bruises are common with lupus and also as a side effect of the many medications we have to take. Take some pictures and contact your doctor to make sure it’s nothing more serious.”

Here’s more background on why you may have mysterious itching or bruising and what you can do about it.

How Lupus Can Affect Your Skin

Skin symptoms of lupus can include mouth sores, skin discoloration, hair loss, and itchy skin rashes on various parts of the body. Some people develop a butterfly-shaped rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks, known as a malar rash.

Others get circular sores on the scalp, arms, or neck — these are typical symptoms of a type of lupus called discoid lupus. Skin signs of lupus can show up unexpectedly, and they may or may not be painful.

According to Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, 50 percent of people with lupus have photosensitivity (sensitivity to light). Natural sunlight and artificial lighting can produce symptoms that resemble a sunburn and activate other lupus symptoms.

Bruises are not considered a typical skin symptom of lupus, but members of MyLupusTeam report that they have experienced bruising. Read on to find out why these bruises itch, or why your skin might itch and then bruise.

1. Coexisting Health Conditions

Itching or bruising easily with lupus could stem from related health conditions or comorbidities (additional health conditions that you have at the same time).

When you have lupus, it can seem like the culprit behind every symptom you experience. But it’s important to remember that other coexisting health conditions might be part of the story. Involving other specialists, like a dermatologist or an allergist, can help offer a new perspective on your symptoms.

One MyLupusTeam member described their situation: “I wanted to ask if anyone is experiencing skin issues that feel like you are being stung by bees all over your back and itching from head to feet. It comes when I start moving around, or I get warm, or the sun is on me. My doctors do not know what it is, but they said it’s not related to lupus.”

One member responded, “That sounds more like fibromyalgia, and I know because that’s exactly what I have.”

If you experience itching and bruising and you have one of the coexisting conditions below, talk to your doctor about whether it may be the true cause.

Eczema

Some skin conditions may lead to both itching and bruising. For instance, eczema is a chronic condition that causes itchy, dry skin patches. While eczema doesn’t directly cause bruising, some eczema treatments can. For instance, if you use too much corticosteroid cream to try to ease the itch of eczema, that overuse can lead to bruising.

If symptoms like itching become unbearable, health care providers that specialize in dermatology can talk to you about your treatment and management options. They can also perform tests to understand if you have a skin disease like eczema or psoriasis.

Immune Thrombocytopenia

If you have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), bruising can appear at the knee and elbow joints. A bruise forms when small blood vessels beneath the skin break, allowing blood to escape and pool under the skin’s surface. In people with lighter skin, this pooled blood can appear as a purple or reddish mark, and in people with darker skin, it can appear as brown or black. Although itching isn’t one of the most common symptoms of ITP, some studies indicate that some people with ITP may experience it. Easy bruising is a feature of ITP.

One MyLupusTeam member shared, “I was also diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia on the same day I was diagnosed with lupus. That’s why I bruise so easily.”

Anemia

About half of people with lupus also have anemia, which means they have a reduced number of red blood cells. Anemia can cause both bruising and itching on various parts of the body. “I’ve recently been told I have chronic anemia,” one MyLupusTeam member wrote. Another said, “Me too. I’m tired all the time and it’s making my head itch.”

Blood Cancers Such as Leukemia

Individuals with lupus have a higher risk than the general population of developing blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, than the general population. Some blood cancers and their treatments can cause bruising and itching. Research indicates that taking antihistamines may help ease itchy skin caused by leukemia or other blood cancers.

2. Lupus Medication Side Effects

People with lupus often take multiple medications to manage different symptoms. Lupus medications have various targets, such as reducing joint pain, decreasing inflammation, protecting against organ damage, regulating the immune system, and lowering the risk of blood clots.

Unfortunately, some lupus medications can also come with serious side effects, like kidney disease, high blood pressure, weight loss, stomach ulcers, and skin problems. Monitoring for possible side effects is essential to keeping you safe during lupus treatment.

“I bruise easily as well. Bruising easily is a side effect of many of the medications they use to treat lupus. This is why your doctor watches your white count closely,” explained a MyLupusTeam member.

Another member explained, “I have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Between warfarin (Coumadin), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and prednisone, bruising is just one of those ‘learn to live with it’ things for me. I take vitamin C, and that has definitely helped keep it at bay.”

Some lupus medications are meant to help treat lupus skin symptoms. For instance, antimalarial medications like hydroxychloroquine ease pain and inflammation while also preventing lupus-related skin issues. If you’re required to take steroids for lupus, switching your medication from a pill or injection to a skin cream or gel can also help you treat skin problems. Steroids are a kind of medication that has been used to treat lupus for a long time because they have many benefits and they are easy to administer, but they are also known to cause easy bruising and dry, itchy skin.

When it comes to lupus medications, you may have more options than you think. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to better understand how your body responds to different medications.

3. Seasonal Changes

Some MyLupusTeam members have reported that a change in the weather causes their itching, perhaps due to dry skin or an allergic reaction.

Hives are usually associated with an allergic reaction, and 1 in 10 people with lupus gets hives. However, hives lasting 24 hours or longer are probably the result of the autoimmune disease lupus itself. Talk to your doctor if you can’t figure out whether your skin symptoms are caused by lupus or something else.

Tips for Managing Itching and Bruising With Lupus

On MyLupusTeam, members discussing skin symptoms have reached out for advice in dealing with unexplained itching and lupus bruising.

One member wrote, “I go through periods of random intense itching and bruising. Sometimes they coincide, and sometimes they do not. I know blood thinners and prednisone can make you bruise. However, I am currently only on baby aspirin and no prednisone. I get bruises without bumping into anything or getting injured. Bruises will also form after intense itching. I am careful not to claw myself during the itching but do catch myself rubbing the area. Any input is welcome.”

Others offered helpful tips, including:

• Apply compression — “If I apply compression, the itching stops. I now keep compression sleeves or legs with me everywhere I go. Next time you have an itch, try compression on the area.”
• Use ice — “I have discovered that I can put ice on the spots that itch so bad. I go to the fridge and put ice in a plastic bag. I put the ice directly on the spot that itches, and the itching goes away.”

Another member wasn’t sure how to prevent itching but noticed some triggers that made the problem worse. “I haven’t found anything to help,” they said. “But I do notice that sun exposure and exercise really set it off!”

Protecting your skin from ultraviolet light and cold temperatures can help prevent lupus-related skin flare-ups. You can prevent dryness and itching by applying sunscreen two or three times a day, wearing a hat and long sleeves when you’re getting exposed to the sun, and adequately moisturizing skin. You can also ask your health care provider about additional testing, like a skin biopsy or blood test, to determine other possible causes of itching and bruising. If you suspect that a lupus medication may be part of the problem, find out if you can try a different brand, dosage, or treatment option.

To live your best life with lupus, you’ll need to talk openly with your health care team about any uncomfortable or embarrassing symptoms. Don’t hesitate to discuss solutions that may make your life better. By sharing your experiences, you can work together with your health care team to find personalized approaches that improve your overall well-being. Remember, you’re not alone in facing lupus-related challenges like itching, bruising, and other skin issues. Seeking support from others who have gone through similar experiences can bring a sense of unity and provide helpful advice on managing these symptoms.

Talk With Others Who Understand

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

Do you experience itching and bruising with lupus? How do you manage it, and what treatment options have you explored? Post your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by sharing on MyLupusTeam.