Dear Fibromyalgia

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

“Can a Rash Be a Symptom of Fibromyalgia?”
Self-Care for Itching, Burning, and Discomfort

By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN, Updated on July 16, 2026
Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD

Fibromyalgia can lead to skin conditions that cause rashes, though these are not direct symptoms of the condition. Explore the connection between fibromyalgia and skin issues, including potential causes and relief options.

What Is a Fibromyalgia Rash?
No specific rash is a symptom of fibromyalgia. But researchers have found that certain skin conditions are more likely to occur in people with fibromyalgia than in those who do not have fibromyalgia. These skin conditions include:

🔹Hyperhidrosis: This skin condition causes excessive sweating. The continuous moisture can cause soft, cracked, or scaly skin in the affected areas. It can also increase the risk of secondary fungal or bacterial infections in the affected areas. A 2014 study found that 32% of people with fibromyalgia also had hyperhidrosis.3
🔹Lichen simplex chronicus: This skin condition causes an itchy rash with red patches of thickened, leatherlike skin.4 Itchiness due to irritated nerve endings can lead to scratching, which leads to more itching. The rash and skin changes are due to this itch-scratch cycle. It is one of the most common rashes seen in those with fibromyalgia.

A small study from 2016 found various skin conditions to be more common in those with fibromyalgia. However, due to the size of the study, more research needs to be done to confirm its findings.

What Causes Rashes and Skin Symptoms in Fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia rashes is not well-known, but researchers have found potential mechanisms for the rash.

One possible cause is the immune system. There is an increase of mast cells on the skin in people with fibromyalgia. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell (WBC) found under the skin and in other areas. When there is an allergic response, mast cells release chemicals that cause flushing and itching.

The skin’s nerve fibers in those with fibromyalgia may be affected in ways that can lead to a rash. They respond more actively to mechanical or chemical stimulation. They can also trigger skin inflammation by their actions.

Fibromyalgia medications may also be the cause of skin rashes. Many medications may cause itching and rashes. These medications and the type of skin rash they cause are:

🔹Drizalma Sprinkle (duloxetine): Side effects may include blisters, peeling rash, hives, and mouth sores.
🔹Lyrica (pregabalin): Side effects can include itching and hives.
🔹Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine): Side effects can include itching and hives.

Fibromyalgia and COVID-19
COVID-19 and fibromyalgia are connected. Some people who had COVID-19 had symptoms, like unexplained pain, for months after the infection. This is a symptom of fibromyalgia, and some of these people met the clinical criteria for fibromyalgia diagnosis.

People who already had fibromyalgia may have been especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation and stress during the pandemic could cause depression and anxiety. It also could have affected sleep and mood, which are all symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Self-Care With a Fibromyalgia Rash
People with fibromyalgia can have sensitive skin that is prone to rashes. Taking care of the skin with a self-care routine is an important step in maintaining the body’s largest organ, the skin. Here are a few ways to practice self-care with a fibromyalgia rash:

🔹Avoid abrasive scrubs or loofahs.
🔹Use skin cleaners that are labeled as gentle.
🔹Don’t shower or bathe with overly hot water, as it dries out the skin.
🔹Avoid excessive sun exposure.
🔹Moisturize the skin regularly, especially after bathing.

Managing Fibromyalgia Flares and Rash Symptoms
Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that can require several treatments. People who experience fibromyalgia flares and rashes should report new symptoms to healthcare providers.

There are no specific guidelines for treating fibromyalgia rashes. However, the following treatments are common in managing fibromyalgia.

Antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and antiseizure medications (ASMs) are used to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms.

Since fibromyalgia does not cause tissue inflammation taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), is generally not helpful in managing symptoms.

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibromyalgia-rash-7561064

09/04/2026

One of the hardest things about living with chronic pain and illness is that people often only see the moments where someone is trying their absolute hardest to look okay.

What many people do not see is what it costs.

People often imagine pain as something temporary — a bad back for a week, flu aches, an injury that heals. Something unpleasant that interrupts life for a while.

What they do not understand is what it feels like to live in a body that no longer feels reliable, predictable, or safe.

When someone lives with chronic pain, they do not get a break from their body. They wake up in it. Go to sleep in it. Plan around it. Cancel things because of it. Grieve parts of the life they once had because of it.

Every decision becomes filtered through invisible calculations:

Can this body physically do this today?

If they push through, will they still be able to walk tomorrow?

Will they pay for this later?

How much pain can be tolerated before the body simply says no?

Some days they can function. Some days they almost look “normal.”

They smile. Go out. Show up. Try their hardest.

Sometimes they push far beyond what their body wants because they desperately want to participate in life. To spend time with people they love. To go somewhere nice. To feel like themselves again, even if only for a few hours.

But what people often do not see is the preparation and sacrifice behind those moments.

Sometimes someone with chronic illness will push through for days or weeks just to be able to do something important or meaningful.

They mask.

They smile.

They force energy they do not truly have.

They rest beforehand. Mentally prepare. Ignore pain. Push through exhaustion.

Quietly, inside their own head, they are making calculations nobody else sees:

How long can this body stand?

How far can it walk?

How much pain can be absorbed before the inevitable crash?

What people often see is only the performance of survival.

What they do not see is what happens afterward.

The collapse.

The flare.

The days or weeks spent recovering.

The exhaustion.

The cancelled plans.

The shutting themselves away while their body tries to recover from the price paid for appearing okay.

And this is one of the cruelest misunderstandings of invisible illness:

People judge someone by the version of them they briefly witnessed.

“You looked fine.”

“But you came out.”

“You managed that holiday.”

“You seemed okay to me.”

What many do not realise is that they witnessed the sacrifice, not the reality.

They saw someone pushing through.

Borrowing from tomorrow.

Spending energy that did not exist.

Paying for moments of normality with days or weeks of suffering afterward.

Sometimes people with chronic illness are not functioning well.

They are surviving strategically.

Trying desperately to hold onto connection, joy, friendships, family, purpose, and pieces of ordinary life before retreating again to recover in private.

And because pain is invisible, people underestimate it.

If someone looked okay yesterday, people assume they must be okay today.

If they manage one thing, people assume they can manage everything.

People say things like:

“Go for a walk.”

“Keep busy.”

“You need a hobby.”

“Everyone gets aches and pains.”

“Mind over matter.”

What many people do not realise is how invalidating those words can feel.

Because what is often heard is:

“You are not trying hard enough.”

“You are exaggerating.”

“If you really wanted to get better, you would.”

But the truth is, people living with chronic illness are often trying harder than anyone realises.

Trying to function.

Trying to smile.

Trying to stay independent.

Trying to contribute.

Trying to remain themselves.

Trying not to disappear inside pain.

People living with chronic illness are not asking for pity.

They are asking to be understood.

To stop being judged by the rare moments they managed to push through.

To stop being judged by what cannot be seen.

And sometimes, more than advice, what they need is simply for someone to say:

“I believe you.”

~ Author unknown

09/04/2026

Friday, September 4:
Good morning, lovelies, and happy Finally It’s Friday! This has been some crazy week for me. My banking account was attacked not once but twice, so now everything’s frozen, and I lost about 12 hours of my life to date dealing with the mess. Still more to do like contacting Social Security, and many of you know how fun that is! It’s really scary to know that no matter how many guardrails you have set up, and you don’t click on anything suspicious, etc. - you’re still vulnerable. I about lost my mind last night, so I’m totally unprepared for my posts for you today, but I’ll figure it out. I definitely need some therapeutic garden time today to work off some of this unhealthy stress…and possibly a nap, too.
So, does anyone have any special plans for this weekend? It’s a 3-day weekend for us here in the US as it’s Labor Day on Monday. I’ve got 2 very old friends stopping by on Monday for lunch. Can’t wait to see them! So, hope you all have the most fab Friday you can manage m, and thanks for stopping by!! Cheers! ☕️🫖🌞☔️🌈🍁☮️💜Beth🐝🟦

Artwork by Robin Pieterse

09/04/2026

Thursday night 9/3:
I’m going to be very brief tonight as it’s been a day 🤦🏻‍♀️ I won’t bore you with all the ugly details, but I’m totally drained, and ready to go back to the 80s before cell phones, social media, hackers, and so much more. Goodnight (or good morning) to everyone around the world! Sleep tight, sweet dreams, and see you tomorrow! 🌝⭐️✨🍁😴💤☮️💜Beth🐝🟦

Artwork by Karia Stochmal, “Changing Seasons”

09/04/2026

Gentle reminder 💜🐈‍⬛💜

Art credit ~ purr.in.ink