HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Malar rash

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/7/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if what I have is a malar rash or not. The doctor said she thinks it looks like rosecea, but I'm still kinda worried about it. Just wondering what your own experiences are with it. Can the lupus malar rash come and go, even from one day to the next? Late last night when I was really tired, I could see it very clearly...it wasn't bright, just light pink, but the butterfly shape was very clear. When I got up today, it's faded, so all that is visible are some little reddish splotches on the fronts of my cheeks. I also have small acne-like bumps pretty much all over my face, but they don't ever go away like acne. The same ones are just always there in the same places.
Posted 3/7/2008 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
hi doodlebee,
when i had my malar rashes (first when i found out i had lupus, then each time i would flare, expect for my last flare in march) they would start out small and get bigger and darker red and bumpy until the docs would change my meds to help the flare. and with the malar rash it was on both cheeks and the bridge of my nose. I had rosecea a while back and it was a lighter red color and came and went, but went away completely when the docs gave me topical medicine for it. you cam to a good place to find answers especially about this. hope you can find the answers you are looking for.
Posted 3/7/2008 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the reply and information about how your rosecea was different from the malar rash. I should probably go to a dermatologist next so if it is rosecea it can get cleared up.

Another thing I'm wondering is...how many of you diagnosed with lupus have never had the malar rash? or sun-sensitive rashes, or any rash at all?
Posted 3/8/2008 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Link:  Pictures of Malar Rash Link:  Pictures of Rosacea Hey Doodlebug.  This is a really common question.  Most doctors are not good at distinquishing between rosacea and malar rash.  A dermatologist is sometimes necessary to rule out rosacea.  The pictures may help . . . I have read that lupus rash spares the labial folds (the small fold between the nose and cheeks).  But, I'm not sure that is 100%.  Like Suzanne said, antibiotics will clear rosacea, but not the malar rash.  My rash is present always, but it deepens when I'm flaring or feeling poorly.  Hubby can sometimes tell me before I feel too bad to take it easy because the redness preceeds my fatigue/achy times.  My cheeks look windburned . . . like I was skiing.  I've had people tell me I wear too much blush . . . LOL!!  I tell them "Thanks, I'll tone it down tomorow".  That's how I got my screen name . . . by cheeks are AlwaysRosie!!  Blessings!
Posted 3/8/2008 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
that's cute Rosie, I like. So you always have your malar rash? cuz as long as i'm in remission mine goes away. the rosacea hasn't come back since the topical cream cleared it up, but as long as i am not in a flare, my malar rash is gone. Sometimes my cheeks are pink but that's more when i'm sleepy tired or or when i use to drink. (alcohol, but since before the transplant i stopped drinking) the malar rash came up slightly one time in high school while i was in remission cuz i sat outside to watch a softball game. but now i know better and the face lotion i use has sunblock and i always were pants and long sleeves and baseball caps ( i have a khaki one that says lupus survior that i bought at cure4lupus.) just wondering.
Posted 3/8/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Rosie: My face is the same red all the time to. People ask me question also, by the time docs. caught it, was to late my face was aready scared. I had quacks for docs. back then, they treated me for everything else but lupus. I changed my docs. new rhuemy and derm. who spacialized in lupus. Put me on meds.right away. I put liquid make up on to cover my face so Im not so red.
Posted 3/8/2008 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Suzanne . . . it is always a bit red . . . but as I tire or feel sick or am going into a flare . .. it rages red. Joinery . . . I normally where no makeup except lips and occasionally eyes. But if I really want to cover the red, I use the mineral powder makeup. I bought an off-brand from Sally Beauty Supplies and it works great. I just don't like to use much on my skin because it can backfire on me. I can't were ANY earings or necklaces (even pearls cause a rash), my body kills a watch battery w/i one week. Very weird. My new rheumy insisted that I do not have Lupus . . . but he also insisted that I continue taking plaquenil and gave me a rx for medrol dose paks. Then, when I saw the new GI doc on Monday, she read my chart and noted that I have Lupus so I still think the doctors really do believe that I have lupus, but they really play it down . . . Blessings!
Posted 3/9/2008 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Rosie, I like to ask you one more question if you don't mine. When I flare my face gets really red and burns like sunburn also my arms gets red and little bumbs but after the flare is done my arms are ok. but face is still red When they caught the lupus my face was to late they said my arms should clear, which it does except for flares. I only ask you about make up I cause I'm wounder if it makes it worse. Thanks
Debbie
Posted 3/10/2008 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie, My skin is very sensitive . . . so I don't use many products on my face. Even some lotions will irritate my hands. I'm never sure how similar these smaller issue are among Lupans . . . I only know me. Most of us go thru a lot of trial and error. So, if makeup bothers your skin . . . just skip it. My arms do get the dusky red rash sometimes . . . and it does clear better than my face. I actually have come to appreciate my rashy skin. It is a great indicator of how my over-all inflammation is doing. Bright red cheeks remind me to take it easy before I get into big trouble. Hubby likes the visual as well . . . he says it really gives him an idea of how I am feeling when I keep things to myself. Blessings!
Posted 3/13/2008 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I think mine is probably not a lupus malar rash but have an appointment with a dermatologist next week to hopefully find out for sure what it is. If it's rosecea, hopefully I can finally get it cleared up.
Posted 3/13/2008 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Make sure and post to let us know how that dr. appointment goes. Blessings!
Posted 3/14/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Doodlebee,

   The only time I get the malar rash is when I'm in the sun alot. I will get a itchy, bumpy rash on my forearms, chest and upper thighs as well. I was just looking at some old photos last night from my parents house that were taken when I was 20, that was 12 years before being dx'd with lupus and I had the malar rash then. I was in the Air Force station in Bioloxi Ms. and was at the beach all the time....hmmm.

   I hope your appt goes well and you get some answers. Take care and keep us updated. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                                  Babs

Posted 3/15/2008 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Doodlebee,
I am Dumplin amnd also new to all of this. I have not gotton the malar rash that I am aware. I do get a slight rash on my chest if I am out in the sun for a while and it is very itchy. I am not sure what that is, I have not gone to a derm dr yet. I have only gone to my rheumy once. I have an appt with him later in March, so I guess I'll ask. Let me know what your derma dr. says. Also, how long do your flares last, or anybody? I feel like I in a total flare, pain all the time, fatigue, etc. Good luck and keep us posted. It is so great to be able to talk to others that can relate! Thanks, Dumplin
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply