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Hi, I Am A Female, 44 Years Old. I Have
Question: Hi, I am a female, 44 years old. I have been suffering from unexplained bright red flushing of the face and neck for last fours years (it started in 2016) and more recently from swelling and burning of the right hand. I have seen two dermatologists and other specialists, but no one has been able to give me a proper diagnosis. My first dermatologist thought it might simply be a case of rosacea, but further examinations ruled this out. Doctors then believed that my symptoms were consistent with the presence of a carcinoid tumour, but all the tests I undertook came back negative.
My episodes of flushing are episodic and only occur between the end of September and April/June. For the rest of the year, especially during the summer months, I have absolutely no flush. Flushing can be triggered by certain foods, alcohol, hot meals, high temperatures and heating, stress. The flushing feels very warm and is very uncomfortable, like a sunburn.
The burning feeling and the redness of my right hand is not systematic but are getting more intense between December and February.
I should also add that in January 2017 and for about three weeks, I experienced repetitive hot flushes, especially during the night. I guess they were similar to the hot flushes associated with menopause. These never really came back, but after that, the red flushing of the face and neck got worse and kept getting worse year on year.
My episodes of flushing are episodic and only occur between the end of September and April/June. For the rest of the year, especially during the summer months, I have absolutely no flush. Flushing can be triggered by certain foods, alcohol, hot meals, high temperatures and heating, stress. The flushing feels very warm and is very uncomfortable, like a sunburn.
The burning feeling and the redness of my right hand is not systematic but are getting more intense between December and February.
I should also add that in January 2017 and for about three weeks, I experienced repetitive hot flushes, especially during the night. I guess they were similar to the hot flushes associated with menopause. These never really came back, but after that, the red flushing of the face and neck got worse and kept getting worse year on year.
Brief Answer:
Connective tissue disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
I understand your concern and I have gone through your question, I have seen pictures you sent.
I think this is a case of connective tissue disorder but to confirm that I need to see many investigations.
As you said you have visited two dermatologist and many blood investigations were done, I want to see those blood investigations, because only after that I will be able to confirm the diagnosis.
your facial flushing seems like SLE .
I am waiting for your previous blood investigation, then only I will be able to advise you any further.
thank you
Connective tissue disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
I understand your concern and I have gone through your question, I have seen pictures you sent.
I think this is a case of connective tissue disorder but to confirm that I need to see many investigations.
As you said you have visited two dermatologist and many blood investigations were done, I want to see those blood investigations, because only after that I will be able to confirm the diagnosis.
your facial flushing seems like SLE .
I am waiting for your previous blood investigation, then only I will be able to advise you any further.
thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you Dr. Diwashish Biswas for your reply.
My GP also thought of SLE so I had my Antinuclear antibody tested and they came back negative.
Do you think it could be linked to a deficiency in vitamins D? Last time I was tested (2015), I had 18.1.
Carole
My GP also thought of SLE so I had my Antinuclear antibody tested and they came back negative.
Do you think it could be linked to a deficiency in vitamins D? Last time I was tested (2015), I had 18.1.
Carole
Brief Answer:
No, it is not due to vitamin d deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
In 2 percent cases of SLE, ANA test comes negative.
As you have vitamin d deficiency, you should take vit d supplements.
Diagnosis of SLE is not made only on the basis of ANA test, there is a whole lot of criteria.
so I think we must consider ruling out SLE first.
Thanks
And regards
Dr Diwashish
No, it is not due to vitamin d deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
In 2 percent cases of SLE, ANA test comes negative.
As you have vitamin d deficiency, you should take vit d supplements.
Diagnosis of SLE is not made only on the basis of ANA test, there is a whole lot of criteria.
so I think we must consider ruling out SLE first.
Thanks
And regards
Dr Diwashish
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I also had a chest ultrasound but everything was normal.
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be periodic
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
yes it could very well be periodic.
Because it is a autoimmune condition, there are multiple factors like different types of foods, temperature or many other thing which can act as a triggering factor.
so whenever there is a trigger for this autoimmune condition, it presents with different types of clinical features as in your case flushing.
Thank you.
Regards
Dr Diwashish
Yes it can be periodic
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service.
yes it could very well be periodic.
Because it is a autoimmune condition, there are multiple factors like different types of foods, temperature or many other thing which can act as a triggering factor.
so whenever there is a trigger for this autoimmune condition, it presents with different types of clinical features as in your case flushing.
Thank you.
Regards
Dr Diwashish
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your reply.
I did ANA and SSA tests. Both negative.
Can symptoms of Lupus be periodic and disappear for 6 months?
Regards,
Carole
I did ANA and SSA tests. Both negative.
Can symptoms of Lupus be periodic and disappear for 6 months?
Regards,
Carole
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