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A graduation cap with rashy spots.

Reflecting on My First Skin Rash

When I was first diagnosed with lupus, I was just a kid. Being diagnosed with any disease is not what anyone would want. What is even more hurtful is the impact it had on my last few weeks of high school. Yes, I was a senior in high school at the time. I was so ready for me to take graduation pictures and walking across that stage, but something was affecting me. My skin started to flare. I guess because stressing, making sure I am going to pass was on my mind. Being so focused on going to the next chapter in my life.

I tried to hide my lupus skin rash

I used to wear big hoodies and jackets when I was in school so no one would understand what was going on with me. In high school, I did not talk to anyone about my condition because I felt I would be judged. Around the time I was in high school students were not that nice. If they noticed something, they would make fun of you. I decided to keep that part of my life a secret. When I started to have the rash, it started to itch and burn. Then I would scratch so hard to where it started to bleed.

Misdiagnosed with eczema

I did not have any treatment at first because my doctor thought it was eczema, but it was not. Then they thought it was psoriasis and it was not. When I finally was diagnosed with lupus, my doctor gave me Benadryl, Plaquenil, and Prednisone. When I decided to go to school one day, they decided that we could not wear hoodies anymore because kids were getting into trouble, I was worried. I was worried because others would see my skin. All my life I had been bullied, whether it was for my gap or mustache. I did not want to be bullied for a condition I really felt like I had no control over.

Lupus skin rash treatment

After I started my treatment my flare started to come down. But I was never able to face myself in that condition until many years later. I do not blame myself because I know that I was going to find my way at my own time. Our skin is one of the most prized organs in our body. Your skin is visible. I was not diagnosed with discoid or cutaneous lupus at the time. I was only diagnosed with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), but later I would be diagnosed with discoid cutaneous lupus. Also, I always wondered what made me trigger when I was first diagnosed. Was it the stress of graduating? I was not would cause my lupus to become active. It was not medically induced either. I was not the type of child that loved going to the hospital.

A fresh perspective

Now reflecting on those years ago I see how I have evolved into a very different person. I am more in love with myself than I used to be. I started to remember not to stress and focus on the better things in life. I decided to focus on the things I should be grateful for and I realized there is a lot of things I should be grateful for.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Lupus.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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