Rash - connected to autoimmune disease?

[rachelxu]

 I recently developed a symmetrical rash on my elbows - large clusters of red spots that itch, but not uncontrollably so.  These areas definitely are not bug bites or a response to poison plants, so I'm trying to figure out what's going on.  I know it could just be run-of-the-mill eczema, but I've never had any sort of skin rash before.   I have

Comments

[smartlikeatruck]

Some of the RA meds can cause vasculitis, but that's pretty rare.

[iris_diaphanous]

People with Systemic Rheumatoid Arthritis get a specific kind of rash, but it usually does not itch.

Is the rash on the backs of your elbows and is sort red, flakey, and silvery? If so it could be psoriasis.

It also could be a case of contact dermatitis. People with Rheumatoid Athritis often have allergies (allergies are within the realm of autoimmune problems). If you have tested positive of ANA, you could have another autoimmune disease along with RA that is causing the rash.

[iris_diaphanous]

I might also add that having a flare-up could bring an attack of psoriasis. Abnormalities in the immune system may increase the risk of developing psoriasis. If it is psoriasis (and not a serious case), there are over the counter meditcations you can try.

[apollonia]

Do you have sarcoidosis? My rheumatologist wasn't sure if I had that or RA and because I did not have a rash and had a clear chest x-ray, she decided I had RA. I am posting from my phone, but if you google sarcoidosis images, you can see the rash.

[maccaj]

Without being able to see it, it's impossible to know for sure what your rash is, but I can say that I've had eczema all my life, and when my RA is flaring, even a tiny bit, my eczema flares, too. As a few people have said, RA increases the chances of other autoimmune disease, so even if you've never had any autoimmune skin conditions before, it's quite possible that you have one now.