Positive ANA test, type 1 diabetic - help?
Hello, I'm hoping someone can help shed some light on a problem my best friend is having.
He is a type 1 diabetic (pump dependent) and is having a horrible time at the moment with itching. His skin, especially on his genitals, itches uncontrollably at all times of the day (but especially at night) it seems to be red and bumpy in patches and is quite bad on his stomach and arms. It also appears that he has a Mylar rash on his cheeks.
He recently had an ANA test come back positive. Of course that opens up the possibility to several things. He is 20 years old, active, seemingly health (besides the diabetes) young man. I hate that this is driving him absolutely crazy and we're waiting for him to get in to see a rheumatoligist.
If anyone has some advice, ideas, ways to help alleviate the itching until the doctor seems him please let me know. He has taken prednizone already and has been applying sarna lotion for a couple of weeks now.
This answer may be lengthy but read once to know more than you need now.
ANAs can be found in approximately 5% of the normal population.
Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are unusual antibodies, detectable in the blood, that have the capability of binding to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. The nucleus is the innermost core within the body's cells and contains the DNA, the primary genetic material. ANAs are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies that are directed against one's own tissues are referred to as auto-antibodies. The propensity for the immune system to work against its own body is referred to as autoimmunity.
ANAs are found in patients with a number of different autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE (my sister has SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, juvenile diabetes mellitus, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis. ANAs can also be found in patients with conditions that are not considered classic autoimmune diseases, such as chronic infections and cancer.
ANAs can be produced in patients with infections (virus or bacteria), lung diseases (primary pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension), gastrointestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease), hormonal diseases (Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis, Grave's disease), blood diseases (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia), cancers (melanoma, breast, lung, kidney, ovarian and others), skin diseases (psoriasis, pemphigus), as well as in the elderly and those people with a family history of rheumatic diseases.
Many medications can sometimes stimulate the production of ANAs, including procainamide (Procan SR), hydralazine, and dilantin.
As I see that you are already using prednisalone,whic is a steroid is the higher end drug to find solution for many problems.if it doesnt work it means, you have to make corrections with abnormalities currently present in your body now. I some cases, cetrizine can help, but not always.
My sister has SLE with ANA +ve for past 8yrs.She had same problems and all are under control now on God's grace and regular medication and regular Yoga.
As this answer is for your friend, I suggest you to show more kindness to him. he needs it more than anything else.he will be depressed already I think. his Type 1 DM will still worse the condition.
All what I suggest is, dont take medications unwantedly as may cause early resistance to such patients and see the doctor reuglarly and take medicine and have healthy diet and exercise and yoga.ONLY BIG EFFORT WILL BRING HIS CONDITIONS TO NORMAL. I am sorry.but believe me.So help him.I am proud to answer a good friend like you who cares his/her friends.
Hope to get well soon. There is no recovery,but you can find good control.
Splendid Health Combat - skin conditions - skin rash - yeast
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