Cuteneous lupus erythematosus and skin disease

Although autoimmune diseases are not that common, lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects many. Autoimmune diseases are difficult to treat because the body’s immune systems starts attacking the healthy cells and muscles instead of fighting foreign bodies like virus and bacteria. So, it becomes really difficult for a patient suffering from lupus to become completely disease free. However, it is possible for a lupus sufferer to lead a normal life as this disease can be controlled with proper medical attention

There are four types of lupus and almost all of them have one common symptom and that is skin rash. Almost two third of the people will develop some sort of skin rash or lesion as a result of this autoimmune disease. Although the most common type of lupus is the systematic lupus erythematosus, lupus rash is more prominent in case of cuteneous lupus erythematosus. Here cuteneous means skin. This form of lupus is limited to the skin and does not affect other major body organs like heart, kidneys and livers. A patient suffering from cuteneous lupus erythematosus can have different types of lupus rash and lesions. However, the most common type is red, scaly and raised. This type of lupus rash infection does not itch. This type of lupus rash is also known as discoid rash as it resembles a round disc or circle. Another common type of lupus rash is the butterfly rash. This type of rash covers the cheek and the nose and looks more like a butterfly. Other parts of the body may also have lesions and rashes including the face, neck, shoulder and scalp. However, lupus skin rash is more common to the areas that are exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light. If the rash is on the scalp, it may cause the person to lose hair.

Living with cuteneous lupus can be very challenging for the patient. Any outside activity during the day can make the lupus rash worse. So, it will not only affect the patient’s health condition but also decrease his or her self confidence. However, this form of lupus will not cause any severe health concern for the patient. The main problem lies elsewhere. Almost 10 percent of the patients with cuteneous lupus will develop systematic lupus erythematosus in the future. And systematic lupus can affect major internal organs.

What are the different types of Lupus?

Now cuteneous lupus can be of 3 different types based on their severity. The three forms are: acute cuteneous lupus erythematosus, sub-acutecuteneous lupus erythematosus and chronic cuteneous lupus erythematosus. Chronic lupus is also known as discoid lupus mainly because of the shape of the lupus skin disease The rashes and sores mainly appear on the face and scalp. As mentioned before, there is a chance that people suffering from cuteneous lupus will develop systematic lupus. However, it may also be the case that the patient was already suffering from systematic lupus and the itchy rash was a symptom of that. So, it is very important to check with your doctor to see if you have only cuteneous lupus or systematic lupus. Discoid lupus irritation can be sensitive to light. So, you must take preventive measure during an outbreak. Try to avoid outside activities and if you must go out use lots of sunscreen.

Acute cuteneous lupus mainly appears when a patient is suffering from systematic lupus outbreak. Malar rash is the most common symptom of this form of lupus. This itchy skin infection looks more like sunburn and can look like a butterfly when it affects both cheek and the nose. Hence the name butterfly rash. Although they do not leave any scars like chronic cuteneous lupus, the lesions and lupus rash are more photosensitive and can become worse very fast if exposed to direct sunlight or fluorescent light. Sub-acute cuteneous lesions look more like red ring shaped or scaly lesions. They develop in areas that are exposed to the sunlight for a very long period like face and arms. They do not itch or burn but may leave scars or cause discoloration.

Be sure to check out my page on the treatement of this illness, methods on healing lupus.

What about the usage of medication?

Medications must be used to keep the rash under control. Most common medication is steroid ointments or creams. These creams and ointments are over the counter drugs and can be bought without a doctor’s prescription. However, it is best to seek medical attention if you are experiencing the above mentioned symptoms.

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Accurate Treatment Of Irritation On The Skin

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that makes the immune system attack the healthy cells of the body. Because the immune system is malfunctioning, the vital organs of the body will be affected particularly the heart, lungs, kidney or even the brain. There are four different forms of lupus namely Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid Lupus, Drug-induced Lupus and Neonatal Lupus. Though the last three types are not serious forms of lupus, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the kind that could get worse if not managed well or treated. If the patient is diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, is there a cure to it?

Though there is no specific drug invented to cure lupus, some new drugs are currently being tested if they could be a possible remedy to the disease. As of the time being, treatment of lupus is limited to controlling its symptoms, giving relief to inflammation and pain, and avoiding serious complications. If you seek additional information be sure to read an extensive article on methods on healing lupus.

A symptom of lupus is a rash, this so called lupus rash which could appear on the face or on any part of the body that is exposed to sunlight. This lupus rash is neither painful nor itchy, but if it keeps on reappearing, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Early diagnosis and treatment will help the patient manage the disease. Once a person is diagnosed with lupus, the doctor would prescribe some medication and most importantly, change of habits. For example, a person who has lupus becomes sensitive to sunlight, so staying away from the sun’s heat can help prevent those lupus rashes from flaring up. When out in the sun, a person with lupus must always put sunblock. Also, the patient must have a well-balanced diet, and an active life by doing regular exercise to keep the body strong and healthy. More importantly, a lupus patient must know what would trigger symptoms such as a lupus rash from getting worse so as to avoid serious complications.

What about prescription drugs?
Prescription drugs may also be given to the patient. For those who manifest mild or moderate symptoms, aspirin or ibuprofen may be given to prevent inflammation. Hydroxychloroquine may also be prescribed to the patient. This can help reduce the symptoms such as lupus rash and sensitivity to sunlight. When inflammation is present, corticosteroids may be prescribed.

For aggressive symptoms such as a severe lupus rash, the doctors may give higher dosages of the same medicine or may prescribe a new but much stronger drug. The patient will need to take high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the symptoms. However, the doctor must give the lowest possible dosage of any strong drug, enough to give the patient relief from the symptoms. Immunosuppressive drugs may be given to patients with serious lupus cases. When a person has lupus, his immune system becomes hyperactive, to the point of attacking even the healthy cells of the body. Immunosuppressive drugs can suppress the immune system, thus reducing the symptoms and pain. However, the patient must be aware of side effects when taking strong medication. As much as possible, intake of such medications will be done only when necessary.

What is the most important thing to do?
More important than taking medications and following doctors’ orders is to take care of oneself. A person with lupus must be disciplined in eating right, exercising regularly, avoiding stress and if he has vices such as drinking and smoking, he should quit those vices altogether. It is important to keep the body healthy, especially when one is under medication as that is when he is prone and vulnerable to diseases. All the prescription drugs and medical advices will be put to waste if the lupus patient is not willing to cooperate or help himself.

A person with lupus can still live a normal life despite of having the disease if he is able to manage it very well. It is also important for a lupus patient to seek the support of family friends, and health professionals. More importantly, he should educate himself regarding lupus and promote awareness in the public that lupus, or its symptoms, is not a contagious disease. This way, he can encourage other lupus patients to live a normal life and inspire others along the way.

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How to live when you have a skin disease

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s healthy cells and tissues. Because of this, the patient becomes prone to diseases which may be anything as simple as cough or colds to the complicated ones such as heart and kidney disorders. A lupus rash is one of the indicators that a person may have lupus, along with many other symptoms such as photosensitivity, swelling or inflammation around the eyes and muscle pain. Though there is no specific treatment or medication to treat lupus, medical professionals have given prescriptions to patients with lupus to relieve them of the symptoms and pain. I wrote an article on how to diagnose lupus, be sure to read it!

How does a patient with lupus live everyday with such a disease? First, it is important to know that lupus is not a contagious disease, so it is perfectly fine to sit next to someone with lupus, and it is equally alright to work with a lupus patient. Because there is no particular cure for lupus yet, patients are required to take good care of themselves while living with the disease. Managing the disease can make them live a normal life as long as they discipline themselves and take the advices of the doctors to heart. To be able to live a healthy life despite being sick with lupus, a patient must do the following;

• Quit smoking.

If you are a lupus patient, and you have had vices such as smoking, quit as soon as possible. Aside from lupus rash, a patient may have difficulty breathing and would eventually develop pleuritis, a type of lung disease. If you want to save your lungs, quit smoking.

• Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet

Since lupus attacks mainly the immune system, a lupus patient is advised to eat right to keep himself healthy and free from any disease as much as possible. A well-balanced diet can help the patient avoid foods that could trigger symptoms such as lupus rash and chest pain.

• Avoid fatigue and stress.

A lupus patient can do things he normally does before he got afflicted with the disease. So take that early morning walk regularly, spend time with family, take a vacation once in a while or go out on Saturday nights with friends. It is important to keep your life balanced even if you are battling with a disease.

• Protect the skin.

A lupus rash will get worse with direct exposure to sunlight, and having lupus makes the patient sensitive to sunlight as well. This is why it is necessary to put on sunscreen protection to shield the skin from the sun’s intense heat.

• Be aware of weather changes.

Changes in the weather can trigger symptoms to flare up. A lupus rash may break out during extremely hot days. Pain in the joints may be felt during cold weather. Knowing the changes in the weather can prepare a lupus patient in taking necessary precautionary measures to avoid lupus flare ups.

• Educate oneself about lupus.

A very good way to combat any disease is to educate oneself about it. By that, it is not just limited to knowing the symptoms and treatments. Meet with other lupus patients, help one another, maybe even create a group that would be dedicated to educating the public about lupus and helping other lupus patients.

• Choose a healthy lifestyle.

This is a very important reminder for everyone, with lupus patients even more so. Change bad habits to good ones. Sleep early, drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, cut off on sodas, exercise regularly and more importantly, have a positive outlook. It has always been said that optimism brings good effects not only to the mind but also to the body.

Living with lupus is a challenge. A patient with lupus must remember to take these simple tips and start making changes in their lifestyle if they have not started yet. Lupus can be managed, if the patient is disciplined and determined to keep himself together despite of having the disease. Be in constant contact with the doctor, take the prescriptions to heart and more importantly, choose to be strong and healthy in mind and body.

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Diagnosis Of Lupus

Diagnosis Of Lupus

Lupus is a disease we all have heard of, but a lot of people do not actually know what lupus really is. There are 4 different kinds of lupus namely Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, Discoid Lupus, Drig-Induced Lupus and Neonatal Lupus. SLE is the kind of lupus that people know of, the one that is characterized by a lupus rash. Discoid lupus, like SLE, also has lupus rash as one of its symptoms but it is not as serious as SLE. Drug-induced Lupus is caused by the intake of some medications that can bring about a specific reaction to the immune system. Nenonatal Lupus is the transfer of the disease from a pregnant mother to her child. Each kind of lupus has some common symptoms, and some are significantly distinct from the other. But how is lupus diagnosed.

Symptoms of lupus vary from one person to another, and because these symptoms are more or less the same as the other diseases, giving a diagnosis of lupus is a tough challenge. Lupus rash for example may flare up at a particular time and may disappear after a few weeks or days, along with the other symptoms. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, the most serious of all the four types, must be meticulously checked. The American College of Rheumatology established guidelines to help diagnose Systemic Lupus Erythematosus accurately. When a person is suspected of having lupus, medical professionals should conduct several tests to confirm whether the patient has lupus or not.

The guidelines made by the American College of Rheumatology is more like a checklist that would somehow help the doctors in the diagnosis of lupus. When a person has lupus rash on the face or on any part of the body, he is not to be considered as someone with lupus yet, as a lupus rash is just one of the symptoms. The American College of Rheumatology gave a list of a total of 11 symptoms that a lupus patient could possibly manifest. A manifestation of 4 out of 11 of these symptoms would be a confirmation that the patient indeed has lupus. These symptoms are the following.

• Serositis – this is an inflammation of the membranes around the heart and lungs
• Mucosal ulcers – these are sores found along the linings of the mouth and nose
• Arthritis – this is a pain, swelling or tenderness in two or more joints
• Photosensitivity – sensitivity to sunlight characterized by skin rashes
• Abnormalities in blood count – low white blood, red blood or platelet counts
• Kidney disorder – high protein count in the urine
• Malar rash – also known as butterfly rash or rash that appear on the bridge of the nose and spreads to the cheeks
• Discoid rash – red and scaly patches on the skin that can cause scars
• Neurologic disorder – manifestations of seizures
• Immunologic disorder – results on antibody tests appear to be positive
• Antinuclear antibody test – results of such test turn out to be positive

These symptoms would confirm that the patient has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. However, tests have to be thoroughly conducted first before a patient will be given a diagnosis. Some of these tests are complete blood count or CBC to detect whether there is a significant fluctuation in the platelet, white and red blood counts. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR may also be conducted to check the rate of how red blood cells settle in tube at a given time. A faster than normal rate would indicate that the person has lupus. Also, a liver and kidney assessment can be conducted. The results of the assessment could tell whether such organs are working properly and if protein count in the urine is normal. A urinalysis will provide the results needed to find out about abnormalities in the protein levels or cells in the urine. A syphilis test may also be conducted to the patient to check if there are anti-phospholid bodies in the blood.

After such tests are conducted, the doctors would then determine if the patient has manifested at least four of the symptoms in the guidelines made by the American College of Rheumatology. If four or more symptoms are manifested, the patient should begin treatment. I have written an article on how to heal lupus be sure to read it!

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General Information About Discoid Erythematosus Rash

General Information About Discoid Erythematosus Rash

Lupus is a common disease now a day. It has a significant rash that is called “

Discoid Lupus Rash”. Lupus is an auto immune disease. Auto immune disease means, when the immune system of a human body becomes hyper active and affects body’s healthy cells, tissues and organs resulting in inflammation and severe damage to the body parts. In case of lupus, it affects major body parts like brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, liver and the nervous system. It also affects blood cells, blood vessels and tissues. Bone joints are very much affected by lupus too. On a side note, I found very usefull information on Discoid rash

The statistics show, nine out of ten lupus patients are teenagers and women aged in between fifteen to thirty five. Females are a lot more vulnerable to lupus than males. Four out of five teenage lupus patients are females. Females have less resistance against auto immune disease like lupus.
There are several types of lupus. Among them, systemic lupus erythematosus is the worst kind. It affects the body organs and skin severely. For children, it may become fatal. Children, who inherit this disease genetically and get affected from birth, generally do not reach their teenage age as even skin tissue damage may become fatal for them. On a side note aswell, don’t forget to view www.lupus.org for more general information on the subject!

There are several things that may cause lupus. As lupus is an auto immune disease, things that affect the immune system may trigger lupus. Reckless use of drugs, excessive use of drugs and use of different types of drugs at the same time without proper medication from a doctor may end up in causing lupus. Some people use drugs for different problems without asking a doctor. This is very bad. Drugs directly affect the immune system and may cause malfunction if used in heavy doses. The reaction of using different drugs at the same time may do the same.

Not only may the excessive use of different drugs cause lupus but also excessive exposure to the direct sunlight may cause it too. Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays. These ultraviolet rays are very harmful to human skin. If a person spends a long time under the sun with exposed skin, it increases the chances of triggering lupus. In this particular case fair people are at great risk than dark people. Dark skinned people have natural protection called melanin in their skin far more than fair skinned people. So people should be careful when they expose themselves into the sunlight if they are fair.

There are few more things which may cause lupus but the above two reasons are the main causes of lupus. Drug addiction may cause lupus and some people may inherit lupus genetically, but these are less common.
I wrote an article on how to get rid of lupus so I highly recommend that you read about it here.

There are some significant symptoms of lupus. Among them the most significant is the discoid lupus rash. A discoid rash is disc shaped rash. Generally people who are suffering from lupus get a butterfly like rash on their face. It looks like a butterfly is sitting on their nose bridge with stretched wings. After some time, it begins to look like a disc shape rash. A butterfly rash is only seen in the face but disc shaped rash can be seen all over the body. This discoid lupus rash is red in color or sometimes it is pink. A butterfly rash is not irritating but a discoid rash is very much itchy. These discoid rashes cause severe hair fall if these occurs in the scalp and also cause severe irritation.

Besides the discoid lupus rash, lupus may cause severe fever and headache along with joint pain. Knee joints, elbow joints and finger joints get affected by lupus. Photosensitivity is another symptom of lupus. A lupus affected person becomes very much sensitive to sunlight and bright artificial light.
Lupus is used for wolf in Latin. The disease is named “Lupus” because when the disc shaped rash heals, it heals from the inside out and leaves a bite shaped mark like wolf-bite.

There is no perfect cure for lupus. The severity can be minimized by regular exercise, avoiding direct sun exposure and by using controlled drugs. Sometime lupus heals automatically. For the distinct discoid lupus rash, many types of lotion can be used according to the doctor’s medication. For severe marks, cosmetic surgery may become a good solution.

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