Skincare Treated

Lupus Erythematosus: An Auto-Immune Disease

Lupus erythematosus is a disease characterized by abnormalities in the connective tissue. The skin develops large red scaly patches and bumps and cal occur on the face, cheeks, neck, ears, scalp, chest or back.

Auto-Immune Disease

There are many types of lupus erythematosus and the kind of patches and the areas they affect vary with each type. But lupus is essentially an auto-immune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks the individual’s own body.

The immune system normally attacks invaders like bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms that enter the system. But in patients with lupus erythematosus, the immune system targets the skin and various other organs like the joints, blood cells, heart, liver, kidney, skin and lungs.

Types of Lupus Erythematosus

There are many types of lupus. The main ones are systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid Lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus affects various organs of the body simultaneously. Its effects are more selective in the other types. It is not usually a life-threatening disease and can be treated.

Sun damage & Lupus

Individuals who develop subacute lupus erythematosus display a rash on the back and chest. They are more susceptible to sun exposure and sun damage. This rash manifests itself as ring-shaped, scaly bumps that may sometimes develop into nodules.

Confined to Skin

Discoid lupus erythematosus is the most common form of lupus and it exclusively targets the skin. It results in ugly patches that get inflamed and leave scars.

Discoid lupus erythematosus can be confined to particular area of the body or it may manifest itself all over the skin. But the hypertrophic type produces warts.