Yes, itchy skin and scalp can absolutely be part of lupus flares! Skin symptoms are actually among the most common experiences for people with lupus, with about 3 out of 4 newly diagnosed people having skin-related symptoms.
The red blotches on the neck and back sound like they could be a type of cutaneous (skin) lupus Show Full Answer
Yes, itchy skin and scalp can absolutely be part of lupus flares! Skin symptoms are actually among the most common experiences for people with lupus, with about 3 out of 4 newly diagnosed people having skin-related symptoms.
The red blotches on the neck and back sound like they could be a type of cutaneous (skin) lupus. There are a few types that can show up in those areas:
- Subacute cutaneous lupus — scaly or circular patches that often appear on the back, chest, and arms
- Discoid lupus — thick, scaly, coin-shaped rashes that can appear on the face and scalp, sometimes causing scarring or hair loss
- Acute cutaneous lupus — patches that appear and fade relatively quickly A MyLupusTeam member described their experience as "burning all over, itching all over my face, scalp, and ears," which shows how common these sensations are.
Getting biopsies and blood tests done is exactly the right path — a biopsy helps confirm which type of cutaneous lupus is present, so the right treatment plan can be put in place. Definitely keep following up with both a rheumatologist and a dermatologist for the best care.
August 10
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