Unless you use heavy moisturizers and take extra steps to lock in hydration, Sjögren's can cause your skin to feel rough and itchy. You might also notice an eczema-like rash, which is likely more related to underlying autoimmune problems as opposed to the body's moisture production, says Dr. McCoy.
Sjogren's syndrome patients often develop a purple-to-red rash that does not lighten when pressure is applied. They may also show purpura (rashes with blood spots) that's indicative of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). If you observe any of these rashes on your skin, consult a dermatologist.
Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also have one or more of the following: Joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Swollen salivary glands — particularly the set located behind your jaw and in front of your ears. Skin rashes or dry skin.
Dry mouth, mouth sores, dental decay, difficulty with chewing, speech, taste and dentures. Swollen, painful parotid/salivary glands. Difficulty swallowing, heartburn, reflux, esophagitis. Fatigue, vasculitis, lymphoma, dry skin, skin sensitivity to UV light.
The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Sjögren's syndrome predominantly affects women.
What autoimmune disease causes an itchy rash? Some autoimmune diseases that may cause an itchy rash are cutaneous lupus, oral lichen planus, and erythrodermic psoriasis.
Ointments are the best moisturizers followed by creams. Lotions are not typically moisturizing enough for patients with Sjögren's. The best ointments are Vaseline® or Aquaphor®. If an ointment is too greasy for your taste, cream moisturizers like CeraVe®, VanicreamTM, Eucerin®, or Aveeno®can be used.
Nearly half of the patients with SS develop cutaneous manifestations, which may include dry skin (xeroderma), palpable and nonpalpable purpura, and/or urticaria-like lesions.
Salivary gland tests can measure how much saliva your mouth produces. Ultrasound imaging and biopsy can help determine if the salivary gland tissues are altered by inflammation. Blood tests can identify antibodies that are typically present in people with Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune disorders.
People with Sjogren's may be more susceptible to a rash, especially after spending time in the sun. Skin problems that occur with the condition may present as: xerosis, or dry, rough skin. small “blood spots” or purpura on the lower legs due to vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels.
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, which means something triggers your immune system to attack healthy cells. This attack damages the tear system in your eyes and the salivary glands in your mouth. Exactly what causes this abnormal immune system response is not clear.
Avoiding foods that tend to exacerbate symptoms including alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods, and spicy foods.
Hydroxychloroquine; first-line treatment. Methotrexate. Hydroxychloroquine plus methotrexate. Short-term (1 month or less) corticosteroids (15 mg or less a day); long-term corticosteroids (≤15 mg/d for more than 1 month) may be useful, but efforts should be made to find a steroid-sparing agent as soon as possible.
A flare can last for hours, days, weeks, or months. Condition improves with activity and exercise and worsens with rest. When inflammation is left uncontrolled due to lack of proper treatment, comorbidities can develop.
The case of a woman who was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome after experiencing unusual symptoms, including hives and joint pain, was described in a recent report.
Avoid over-the-counter medicines that can cause dryness. These include antihistamines, such as Benadryl.
Investigational therapy dazodalibep significantly eased symptom burden in people with Sjögren's syndrome who have moderate-to-severe symptoms, but minimal systemic disease activity, meeting the goal of Horizon Therapeutics' Phase 2 clinical trial.
Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes are: Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.
Dermatomyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease that often begins with arm and leg weakness as well as several different rashes including: a rash on the hands (Gottron's), around the eyes (heliotrope), and/or across the back and chest (shawl rash; see images at right).
Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers. Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster).
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.
A blood test can detect specific antibodies—immune system proteins that normally bind to harmful substances—that may signal autoimmune diseases. The antibodies associated with Sjogren's include anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies.
There are several infectious agents that are suspected to play significant roles in the development of SS, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1), Staphylococcus saccharolyticus, and Heliobacter pylori (Table 2).