A chronic autoimmune skin disorder is known as discoid lupus. The term comes from the lesions’ coin-shaped appearance. This illness leads to the development of a severe rash, which gets worse when you are exposed to sunlight. Although the rash can appear anywhere on the body, the hands, neck, scalp, and feet are the most typical sites. In severe situations, it is possible to have permanent scarring, discoloration, and hair loss.
Typical Discoid Lupus Symptoms
From a little pink patch to red, raw skin, a skin rash can range in severity. As we’ve already discussed, the most typical places for a discoid lupus rash to appear are on your neck, soles, palms, and feet, among other places. Your ear canal may potentially become infected with the rashes. Symptoms of discoid lupus frequently manifest as thickening of the scalp, peeling, rounded lesions, blistering lesions, ulcers inside lips, etc. For some people, itching can be an issue, although this isn’t always the case.
Why People Get Discoid Lupus
What triggers discoid lupus is unknown. It indicates that the illness is autoimmune. Nevertheless, inherited traits and environmental factors also play a part in this. It doesn’t spread from one person to another.
Medications For Discoid Lupus
Your doctor is likely to suspect discoid lupus following a pathological evaluation. The majority of the time, however, a skin biopsy is necessary for the diagnosis. Treatment should begin as soon as possible to prevent lasting scarring.
Steroids are frequently advised by medical professionals to treat discoid lupus symptoms. Steroids are used in the treatment of inflammation. Lotions and creams with prescription strength can be used to treat skin problems. As an alternative, your doctor may administer a steroid by direct injection into the afflicted area. A medication taken orally can help to lessen lesions by lowering the development of antibodies and inflammatory cells.
Immunosuppressive drugs may lower the generation of inflammatory cells. They are frequently applied to treat severe discoid lupus cases or to help patients wean off oral steroids. Non-steroidal topical creams and lotions can help lessen the inflammation brought on by discoid lupus, as can topical calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus.
Anti-malarial medications are ideal to reduce inflammation. The oral medications quinacrine, hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine are among them. Compared to other drugs, they have fewer adverse effects.
Other Advice for Treatment
To treat this illness, some professionals advise staying out of the sun. If you do, you might need to consult your doctor beforehand since it could result in vitamin D insufficiency. Antibiotics ought to be avoided since they make people more sensitive to sunlight.
