That restless, crawling, "get me out of my own skin" feeling sounds really uncomfortable — and it's actually something others with lupus experience too. There are a few reasons this might be happening.
Lupus can affect the nervous system by causing inflammation around the nerves, leading to strange sensations like crawling Show Full Answer
That restless, crawling, "get me out of my own skin" feeling sounds really uncomfortable — and it's actually something others with lupus experience too. There are a few reasons this might be happening.
Lupus can affect the nervous system by causing inflammation around the nerves, leading to strange sensations like crawling, tingling, numbness, or buzzing feelings throughout the body. A MyLupusTeam member described it as "the most terrible buzzing feeling all over, like crawling critters." Some possible causes include:
- Nerve damage from lupus-related inflammation
- A lupus flare, especially if other familiar symptoms are present
- Medication side effects — some lupus medications like leflunomide or cyclosporine can cause crawling or tingling sensations
- Light sensitivity — UV exposure can trigger flares that bring on these weird body feelings It's really worth bringing this up with a healthcare provider soon. Try to note any patterns — does it happen at certain times, after sun exposure, or after taking medication? That detail can really help narrow down the cause.
If the feeling comes with weakness, trouble walking, slurred speech, confusion, or loss of bladder/bowel control, seek emergency care right away.
September 6