That crawling sensation and feeling of bites on the scalp is something other MyLupusTeam members have experienced too. One MyLupusTeam member described it as "bugs underneath my skin," while another felt "a creepy, crawling sensation on my scalp that moved to my face along the cheekbones." You're definitely not alone in Show Full Answer
That crawling sensation and feeling of bites on the scalp is something other MyLupusTeam members have experienced too. One MyLupusTeam member described it as "bugs underneath my skin," while another felt "a creepy, crawling sensation on my scalp that moved to my face along the cheekbones." You're definitely not alone in this!
These sensations are a known part of living with lupus and can have several possible causes:
- Nerve damage – Lupus can inflame nerves or the tissue around them, sending random signals that feel like crawling or biting
- Paresthesia – An abnormal sensation caused by lupus affecting the nervous system, which can feel like tingling, numbness, or crawling
- Lupus flare – UV light exposure can trigger a flare, which may bring on these skin sensations
- Medication side effects – Some lupus medications like leflunomide or cyclosporine can affect the nervous system and cause crawling feelings
- Hair loss (alopecia) – Common in lupus, this can sometimes contribute to scalp sensations It's really important to bring this up with your rheumatologist. Describing exactly how it feels, how long it lasts, and any patterns you notice will help them figure out the underlying cause.
Tests like nerve conduction studies may be used if nerve involvement is suspected. If a medication is thought to be the cause, your doctor may suggest switching to an alternative. If these sensations come alongside other flare symptoms, revisiting your treatment plan could help keep them under control.
August 4
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