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A New Free Report - What Is Lupus?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What is the medical definition of lupus?
- What are the symptoms of lupus?
- What tests are there for lupus? How do you get a diagnosis?
Fill in this form and we will send you the report immediately, which you are welcome to send on to friends or family!
The Symptoms of Lupus
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Lupus!
Skin Rash
One of the most recognizable symptoms of lupus is the butterfly rash that can occur on the face. It is this rash that also helped name the disease. The term “lupus” actually means “wolf” in Latin, and the lupus-related butterfly rash actually mimics the markings on a wolf’s face.
Technically the butterfly rash seen on lupus patients is actually called a “malar rash.” The malar rash occurs in 35 percent of lupus patients. It can appear very similar to rosacea, so it is easy to misdiagnose the rash. However, the malar rash does not itch and the nasolabial folds (where the cheek meets the upper lip) are not usually affected.
In discoid lupus patients the skin is often affected by thick, scaly lesions. These lesions do not itch. Under a microscope a doctor will see plugging of hair follicles along with a thick epidermis or atrophy of the dermis. The lesions can appear similar to rosacea, fungal infections, sarcoidosis, seborrhea, dermatomytosis, and plymorphous light eruption (sun sensitive rash). While these lesions do not itch, they can cause scarring, so immediate medical attention is imperative.
Another type of lupus that affects the skin is subacute cutaneous lupus. This type of lupus appears in 9 percent of lupus patients, and 20 percent of those patients get DLE-like lesions. These lesions look more like psoriasis.
Besides lesions and butterfly rashes, vascular rashes can occur. One-third of lupus patients suffer from Raynaud’s phenomenon in which the fingers turn red, white, and blue in response to cold or vibration. Raynaud’s can rarely be found in the feet, tongue, tip of the nose, and outside of the ears. Though it may seem that a large number of lupus patients get Raynaud’s, it should be noted that lupus patients only make up 9 percent of Raynaud’s patients.
Another common skin-related effect is livedo reticularis in which a red mottling or lacelike appearance can be seen under the skin. Between 20 and 30 percent of all lupus patients. The condition is a result of a disordered blood flow in the blood vessels just under the skin and is usually due to autonomic nervous system deregulation. While it is not a life-threatening condition, rare cases have led to livedo vasculitis, or superficial skin breakage.
Cutaneous vasculitis, ulcers, and gangrene are another common in lupus patients, with over 70 percent of patients having one or all of the condition1. Cutaneous vasculitis causes the superficial blood vessels to become inflamed, and these conditions may indicate that more aggressive treatment is needed, especially if gangrene sets in. Cutaneous vasculitis can appear as red dots, black dots, or hard, painful spots on the skin. If they are left untreated they can result in ulcerations and ultimately gangrene.
Finally, another common skin condition in lupus patients is black and blue marks, or bruises. Since lupus and lupus treatment can affect the blood, the bruising can be a result of abnormal blood coagulation. If they are palpable, it can be a sign of active systemic vasculitis or low platelet counts. If they are not palpable then they are usually a result of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroids.
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Lupus!
© Health Research Today
