Lupus can affect any organ of the body in many different ways. Sometimes, Lupus can only affect the skin. Patients with Lupus with skin problems can experience mouth ulcers, sores, or rashes. One factor that contributes to skin problems is exposure to photosensitivity or sunlight.
Cutaneous Lupus
Cutaneous lupus is lupus found in the skin only. Patients with Cutaneous Lupus can have many different skin problems. Cutaneous Lupus has three types:
(a) Chronic Cutaneous Lupus (Discoid Lupus)
This can cause round, disc-shape sores, usually in the patient's face or scalp. The sores can cause changes in the color or scars.
(b) Subacute Cutaneous Lupus
This is described as red scaly rash or red ring-shaped sores on the skin. It usually show in the patient's skin that is exposed to sunlight such as neck and arms.
(c) Acute Cutaneous Lupus
This is the most familiar of all the Lupus skin disease. This causes butterfly rash (malar rash) on the cheeks of the patient. Sometimes, it appears like a sunburn. This rashes can affect other body parts, such as the arms and legs.
What are the other Lupus Skin problems?
Lupus patients may experience different scenarios in terms of skin problems. Some patients may encounter the following:
Calcinosis - these are hard, white lumps under the skin caused by calcium build up.
Hair loss
Mucosal Ulcers - these can be sores inside the mouth, nose, or vagina.
While other lupus patients can have problems in the vessel and reflects in their skin. Samples of these diseases are:
Raynaud's Disease - this is when a patient was exposed to something cold or being stressed, their fingers or toes turns to white or blue.
Palmar Erythema - this is where the palms of the patients are turning red.
Petechiae - these are tiny red spots in the skin caused by low platelets in the blood or also known as thrombocytopenia.
Livedo Reticularis - this looks like a skin lace or a fish stockings pattern in color blue or purple.
What to feel when you have Lupus Skin Problems?
Lupus skin problems can affect person differently. Some can feel itchy or painful, whilst others feels like a burning sensation from the affected area.
Are Lupus Skin Problems Contagious?
Lupus skin problems are not contagious. They cannot be transmitted.
Lupus and Skin Care
There are many ways to protect and care for your skin while battling lupus.
Protect your skin from Sunlight - make sure to use sunscreen when leaving the house. SPF30 and higher is recommended. Apply sunscreen, 15 minutes before going out in the sunlight to have the protection of the sunscreen.
Make use of nonirritating skin care products that contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps our skin neutralize free radicals and minimized inflammation in our skin.
Take precautions in your medications. Some of our medications can trigger more our photosensitivity, that is why take more precautions when taking these kinds of medicines.
Use light or organic products to your skin.
Change your flourescent, compact flourescent, and halogen bulbs to incandescent bulb. Flourescent and halogen bulbs emits UV and can cause itchiness and flare.
Make sure to wear sun protective clothes and accessories.
Moisturize your skin with organic products.
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