My head is just itchy, but I do get that sensation on my arms.
June 21
That creepy crawling sensation on the scalp is something many people with lupus experience, and it can feel like bugs are moving under the skin — even when nothing is there. It's more common than you might think!
There are a few possible reasons this happens with lupus:
- Nerve damage – Lupus can cause inflammation around Show Full Answer
That creepy crawling sensation on the scalp is something many people with lupus experience, and it can feel like bugs are moving under the skin — even when nothing is there. It's more common than you might think!
There are a few possible reasons this happens with lupus:
- Nerve damage – Lupus can cause inflammation around nerves, leading to tingling, numbness, or crawling sensations
- Hair loss (alopecia) – About 7 in 10 people with lupus experience hair loss, and the sensation of hair falling can sometimes feel like a crawling feeling
- Medication side effects – Some lupus medications can affect the nervous system and trigger these sensations
- UV light sensitivity – A crawling or tingling feeling after sun exposure can be a sign of a flare
- Skin mites – If the immune system is suppressed by lupus medications, an overgrowth of skin mites can cause itchy, crawling sensations A MyLupusTeam member described it as: "It feels like bugs are underneath my skin... It drives me crazy." Another shared that the sensation moved from their scalp to their face along their cheekbones.
It's really worth bringing this up with a healthcare provider. Sharing details like how long it lasts, where it occurs, and whether it lines up with a flare can help them pinpoint the cause. Tests like nerve conduction studies may also help if nerves are involved.
If it seems tied to a flare, revisiting a treatment plan to better manage flares could bring some relief.
June 20
I found this bottle of spray in black hair section at Dollar General. It is called NO MORE ITCH GRO SPRAY. You can spray it on your scalp and rub it in or you can spray into your hands and rub it in. It stops the itching.
June 22
I also have had itchiness on my scalp, which only started about a year ago now. There's nothing visible on my scalp, but I've found that using a good hair conditioner seems to have helped me.
June 22
I get that feeling in my neck/shoulders.
June 21
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