Newly Diagnosed with Discoid Lupus – Severe Itching & Scalp Involvement
Hey everyone,
I’m a 42-year-old male and was diagnosed with discoid lupus about a month ago after dealing with worsening scalp issues for a while. Right now the biggest problems are:
Scarring hair loss on my scalp
Absolutely insane itching/burning sensations
Lesions that still seem to be spreading despite treatment
My dermatologist currently has me on Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and clobetasol, and I’m scheduled to start steroid injections every 8 weeks. I know these medications can take time to work, but the itching is driving me crazy and affecting my sleep and concentration pretty badly. For anyone who’s dealt with discoid lupus, especially scalp involvement:
Did anything help calm the itching?
Any shampoos, moisturizers, cooling products, or routines that helped?
Did Plaquenil eventually slow the spread for you?
Anything you wish you knew early on after diagnosis?
I’ve had a buzz cut for 20 years, so honestly I’m less worried about the hair loss. I’ve got a six-head anyway, so nature was already winning that battle. Appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.