Update on How Lupus Can Harm Your Skin

October has traditionally been designated as Lupus Awareness Month for at least 30 years or more, but it has become overshadowed by the attention given to support Breast Cancer Awareness so that Lupus Awareness Month has now been moved to May.

So, even though this is no longer the designated time to call attention to lupus, here is an update related to some of the key advances in the diagnosis and management of this disease.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can have an effect on the skin, joints, internal organs such as the kidneys, heart, or brain as well as the various blood cells and immune systems of the body. The onset of lupus can vary considerably masquerading as a variety of medical conditions until the pieces of the puzzle can be put together confirming the diagnosis. Oftentimes it can take several years of evaluation before an individual can be finally diagnosed with this condition.

Dermatologists are often involved in the diagnosis of lupus because of how the disease can affect the skin ranging from rashes with sun sensitivity to hair loss to areas of skin breakdown and ulcerations of the fingertips to firm skin nodules or areas of calcium deposits in the skin.

While lupus shows up much more frequently in women, men can develop this disease as well.

As part of its latest awareness campaign related to lupus, The Lupus Foundation of America has focused on the following four areas

Here is a list of some of the things you should be aware of related to how lupus can affect the skin:

1. Sensitivity to sunlight that causes rashes on the face, ears, neck, chest or exposed areas of the arms
2. Patchy areas of scaling with dark coloration inside of the ears
3. Sensitivity of the hands and fingers to cold associated with color changes so that the fingers are red, puffy, and sometimes blue with areas of breakdown and sores on the fingertips
4. Patches of hair loss with thickening and discoloration of the scalp
5. Persistent redness of the cheeks and mid-facial area sometimes associated with areas of scarring
6. Hard thickened lumpy areas under the skin due to inflammation in the fatty tissue layer

These are some of the common ways lupus can involve your skin and lead you to seek medical care, however, there is a wide variety of less common changes that can develop, so the only way to know for sure usually involves having a skin biopsy performed to make the correct diagnosis.

If a diagnosis of lupus is made, here are some steps you can take to protect your skin:

1. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen every day that blocks UVA and UVB to protect all sun exposed areas on the face, ears, neck, arms and hands. If the scalp is balding then sunscreen should be applied to this area as well
2. Follow the recommended treatment plan and be compliant.
3. Always get adequate rest. Lupus is aggravated by fatigue and tiredness which weakens the body’s immune system. You must get at least 7 hours of sleep every night to accomplish this purpose.
4. See your family physician at least yearly for physicals and blood work when things are stable.
5. If necessary see a rheumatologist or dermatologist for additional care.

Lupus is one of those conditions that can show up because of unknown factors with a genetic predisposition if other family members have a history of lupus or other auto immune diseases. It is also important to eat based upon a sound nutrition plan and do the right thing by avoiding cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol.

So, if you are able, support the lupus foundation in its quest to find a cure for this disease. It will be greatly appreciated by the more than 1.5 million Americans with lupus. Go ahead and start to spread the word now even though lupus awareness month will not officially take place again until next May.