Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I remember reading about a "mask of pregnancy", but I thought it was
    a brownish tinge, not a red rash. It's cause by hormonal changes,
    natch. 
    
    Sue

    Melasma, also known as 'the mask of pregnancy' usually appears
    as a splotchy tan or brown, flat spots across the nose, cheeks,
    and forehead. 
    
    What you describe sounds more like Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus 
    is a chronic disease which has two forms. Discoid lupus is a
    mild disorder affecting only the skin. Systemic lupus is a more
    serious disease affecting not only the skin but also any of a 
    number of other vital organs such as the muscular system, bones 
    and joints, heart, lungs, intestinal tract, kidneys and bladder.
    
    The characteristic symptom in both forms is the particular skin
    rash, which is red, scaly and appears on the cheeks and bridge of
    the nose in a butterfly pattern.  Other skin eruptions may occur
    in light-exposed areas of the body.
    
    Although the cause is not known, lupus is neither infectious nor
    contagious, nor is it a type of cancer. Treatment is individualized
    according to a patients symptoms.
    
    You might want to ask your doctor about the rash. A simple blood test 
    called an ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibody) test can be preformed to measure 
    the 'titers' which can indicate if you have lupus.
    
    The above information was taken from a book called "Listen to Your
    Body", published by Rodale Press.
    
    Jodi-
    

    re .2
    
    As is often stated in the medical notes conference, be very careful
    when suggesting possible reasons for symptoms ... it could be
    classed as diagnosis which none of us are allowed to do by any
    stretch of the imagination.  To suggest Lupus from the little evidence
    Wendy gave is almost irresponsible.  The point being that there are
    a million and one other possible reasons for rashes, the vast
    majority of which are of little consequence, unlike systemic Lupus
    which is very serious indeed.
    
    Rather than make a suggestion like Lupus, a far better answer would
    be "consult your Doctor, because it doesn't sound like the Mask
    of Pregnancy".
    
    Stuart

	re .-1 

	Speaking as a moderator, I see nothing wrong with reply .2.  Not only 
did Jodi  specifically refer the basenoteer to her doctor but gave her more 
information as to the serious nature of Lupus do encourage her to see her 
doctor.

	 Speaking as a noter, I can understand the reason that Jodi saw it 
reasonable to put in information about Lupus both systemic and discoid.
The only other time in my life that I've heard a rash described as "butterfly"
was when I personally was be tested for Systemic Lupus.  So I second both Stuart
and Jodi in saying, it doesn't sound like the Mask of Pregnancy, please do see 
your doctor.  Please also let us know what the outcome.  Chances are great 
that it "just a rash", but we'd like to know.

Tracey

    	Well I thought I could do the old in and out, ask a question, get
    an answer and be out before anyone could say anything, but I seemed to
    have caused a stir. I hadn't even told you people that I was pregnant
    yet, but I guess that that's a moot point now. I am pregnant, I've been
    for awhile and I've literally had one thing after another in the past
    few weeks.

    	First of all, let me say that I have lots of medical training and
    tend to be familiar with and use medical terminology forgetting that
    others may not be so familiar with it. This was bought out most clearly
    this past weekend when my husband and I were paired and playing the
    game pictionary. I drew a woman and circled the middle of her body.
    "Abdomen, Uterus, ovaries.." Marc threw out every medical and
    physilogical term that he had ever heard me say and the answer I was
    looking for? Tummy.

    	So, knowing that, (I know, hindsight is always 20/20) when I said
    "butterfly rash" I was not describing a symptom of lupus, I was
    describing a *description* of the rash, it's as if you had placed a
    giant butterfly on my face and the wings would be the area where the
    rash is. A "butterfly rash" is a valid description of what the rash
    covers (although when I talked to the nurse, she wanted to know *which*
    cheeks had the rash ;-) and can be used to describe any rash on the
    face, not just lupus induced rashes.

    	Fortunately, I am familiar with lupus symptoms and knew that this
    was indeed *not* lupus but you, however, did not have that knowledge.

    	I have since called the Doctor's office and after ruling out a
    fever, they have come up with the following suggestions;

    	1. Last night I had some pretty heavy duty vomiting and heaving
    and this may be some broken blood vessels as a result of that

    	2. This could very well be a pregnancy related rash and just does
    not fit into the "brown splotch" category

    	3. I was on some antibiotics and this could be a reaction

    	In any event, I have to keep my eye on it and probably buy a
    heavier foundation.

    	As for Stuart, he was just doing what is routinely done in the
    Medical notes file (he is very active there and I am a co-mod) very
    often we have to "step" on people who volunteer diagnosises based on
    very sketchy information. We once had a fellow who wanted a cat
    destroyed because it had bitten a woman and the woman was then thirsty.
    Several people had the poor woman convinced that she had rabies and
    that she would be dead in a matter of days. Since that episode we have
    become very vigilant over there.
    
    	I'll let you know if they decide anything definite about this rash.
    
    	Thanks for your responses.

    			Wendy     

    	

    Wendy,
    
    The base note does mention pregnancy - so does the title of the note.
    
    Donna
    

    
    Yes, but  didn't say it was mine  ;-)
    
    	(could have been the proverbial friend)
    
    			went

    re .5
    
    > ...when I said "butterfly rash" I was not describing a symptom
    > of lupus, I was describing a *description* of the rash, it's as if
    > you had placed a giant butterfly on my face and the wings would be
    > the area where the rash is.
    
    That's what I thought you meant (a rash shaped like a butterfly); how
    is a *lupus* butterfly rash different (if not shape, then what???)?
    
    Leslie

    Wendy:
    
    Don't know if this offers any reassurance, but when I had some heavy
    vomiting during pregnancy, I broke blood vessels in my face.
    
    Imagine going to the ladies room at work (about an hour after arriving)
    and seeing little red dots on your face...especially after someone told
    me the previous day that I had been exposed to chicken pox several
    weeks earlier.
    
    When I spoke to my doctor about it, she mentioned that some women break
    blood vessels in their face during labor from pushing too hard ! 
    Luckily that didn't happen to me.
    
    Hang in there.  
    
    
    - Terry

    	That's funny because when I first saw these red dots, I also
    thought that they might be chicken pox (I've had it twice and so
    wouldn't have been surprised). Imagine my surprise when I saw them in
    the morning like that!

    	Upon detailed inspection (something that can't really be done in
    the ladies' room) I have decided that more likely than not they are
    broken blood vessels in the face area. There is no rash anywhere else
    on my body, it is not itchy, and the red spots actually have tiny lines
    leading out of them. Why this has happened only on my face is beyond
    me, I have never even heard of this happening (as a result of
    vomiting). I have new found respect for vomiting. (now if I can only
    get rid of it)

    	As far as the question in reply .8;

    	When one talks about *The* Lupus Butterfly rash, one talks
    about a thing, a  noun, a symptom of the condition Lupus. Most Doctors
    would know exactly what you are talking about.

    	When one talks about *A* butterfly rash, one talks about a
    description, an adjective which describes where the rash is and the
    area it covers, there is not necessarily a connection with Lupus.

    				Wendy
                  

    One of my daughters has what is descriped as a spider spot which
    is kind of similar ... in her case it's a red dot with a spider of
    little capillaries radiating out from it.  The doctors say that
    they often go away by themselves, but if they don't, minor surgery
    can be done to effectively seal the blood vessel that feeds the spider.
    
    Stuart

    
    Wendy, I think you missed the point brought up by .8  ...   Is there 
    something uniquely distinguishing about the butterfly rash from Lupus ? 
    Obviously it has a shape or some other distinguishing feature that
    resembles a butterfly which is precisely what you described, and
    hence the confusion.
    
    Maybe a topic in Medical devoted to Lupus would be in order.  But,
    just to tidy off a few loose ends here ... so that no-one starts
    worrying about Lupus upon seeing a rash ...
    
    Lupus is auto-immune disorder, like arthritis. Most of the symptoms of
    Lupus are non-specific ... that is they are not unique to Lupus
    (unlike for example a chicken-pox rash which is very specific ...)
    Lupus, named after the cunning wolf, is also known as the great
    masquerader, in that its symptoms are so non-specific that it can
    be confused with many many other diseases.  It is mainly by symptom
    patterns (i.e. so many symptoms out of lists of symptoms) that
    diagnoses of Lupus are generally made.  It is a difficult disease
    to diagnose.
    
    So, before anyone looks at a symptom or a few symptoms and suddenly
    has fears of Lupus, go talk to your Dr.  In fact any symptoms you
    may experience that are unfamiliar or unusual or prolonged or just
    worrysome the first and best thing to do is to talk to your Dr.
    
    Stuart
    
    

    ...Maybe it's *shaped* like a wolf, but lives for a week, reproduces &
    then dies!  :'D
    
    Leslie

    Just FYI there is more info on Lupus in KAOA01::ARTHRITIS which
    discusses a number of auto-immune system disorders.

    I had some of those from vomiting during my first pregnancy --
    mostly on the side of my nose.  I looked like a wino.
    
    --bonnie