Lupus of the Skin - Information on Lupus of the Skin

Lupus of the Skin Information

Lupus of the Skin is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Lupus of the Skin may occur to the people at any age.

Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases.At present, there is no cure for lupus. However, lupus can be effectively treated with drugs, and most people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives.In autoimmune diseases like lupus, the immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect. This leads to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. Intense research is underway, and scientists funded by the NIH are continuing to make great strides in understanding the disease, which may ultimately lead to a cure.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Lupus of the Skin.

Causes of Lupus of the Skin

The causes of Lupus of the skin includes:

1)Lupus is a complex disease, and its cause is unknown

2). It is likely that a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly hormonal factors work together to cause the disease.

3)The fact that lupus can run in families indicates that its development has a genetic basis. Recent research suggests that genetics plays an important role; however, no specific "lupus gene" has been identified yet.

4)Some of the factors scientists are studying include sunlight, stress, certain drugs, and infectious agents such as viruses.

Treatment of Lupus of the Skin

Methods For Treating Lupus of the Skin are :

1)First line systemic therapy consists of the use of antimalarial drugs. If the skin disease is resistant to a single antimalarial drug, a combination of antimalarial drugs is often used next.

2)Second line therapy consists of the use of other drugs that have been shown to modulate the immune system such as the vitamin A derivatives (isotretinoin or acitretin) or dapsone. Oon failing of the agent, more potent immunosuppressive drugs are used on rare occasion. These may include methotrexate, azathioprine, mofetil mycophenolate, cyclosporine, systemic corticosteroids, and thalidomide.