Several autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, lupus, andSjogrensdisease, can cause rashes.
You should be able to manage your rash with proper skin care and medication.
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List of Autoimmune Diseases With Rash Symptoms
The followingautoimmune diseaseshave rash symptoms.
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Psoriasis
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These rashes can occur anywhere on the body.
Different types of psoriasisplaque, flexural, guttate, erythrodermic, and pustularhave different types of rashes.
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Symptoms of psoriasis rashes by key in include:
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It is red and /or has raised papules.
The malar rash can be mistaken forrosacea, which is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
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Rash is one of the most common symptoms of vasculitis.
It typically occurs in people over the age of 70.
Symptoms of bullous pemphigoid rashes include:
Dermatomyositis
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Dermatomyositiscauses chronic muscle inflammation that can lead to muscle weakness and pain.
Often, the first sign of the disease is a rash followed by muscle weakness.
However, that is not always the sequence.
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Although people with MS do not typically experience a visible rash, they may experience chronic itching.
MS symptoms include itching, mainly on the hands, feet, face, and scalp.
The rash is commonly misdiagnosed as eczema and usually gets better when someone goes on a gluten-free diet.
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Since it’s related to gluten, DH is often linked to Celiac disease.
It’s rare but possible for someone who does not have Celiac disease to develop the rash.
Why Rash Can Be a First Sign of Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases affect the entire body.
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The skin often reflects what is occurring internally.
Autoimmune diseases, like lupus or bullous pemphigoid, are known to affect the skin.
Sudden blistering may be a sign of bullous pemphigoid, and tests will be run accordingly.
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Thyroid Hormones and Rashes
The thyroid produces hormones that regulate skin cell production and turnover.
Testing Rash for Diagnosis
Autoimmune diseases are not always easy to diagnose.
Skin biopsy teststake a sample of tissue to analyze in the lab.
Topical creams canhelp with psoriasis symptomsalong with oral medications.
In some cases, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure can also help lessen plaques.
Wear protective clothing such as hats or clothes made with high-quality fabrics, and use sunscreen.
Tests to determine the rash origin include blood tests and skin biopsies.
Medications and topical creams can treat autoimmune rashes and the underlying disease.
Avoiding the sun can also help with symptoms in some instances.
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2023;14:1157250. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1157250
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dermatomyositis.
2023;37(1):154-159. doi:10.1111/jdv.18561
Celiac Disease Foundation.Dermatitis herpetiformis.
2023;14:1167890. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1167890
MedlinePlus.Skin biopsy.
2021;8(1):e000428.
doi:10.1136/lupus-2020-000428
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Estadt SN, Maz MP, Musai J, Kahlenberg JM.Mechanisms of photosensitivity in autoimmunity.J Invest Dermatol.
2022;142(3 Pt B):849-856. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2021.05.007
