Skincare and Lupus
Skin problems are very common in people with lupus. Some
skin rashes and sores (also called lesions or ulcers) are very specific
to lupus, while others can occur in other diseases as well. A
sensitivity to and too much exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sun
and some types of artificial light are responsible for aggravating some
rashes and lesions. Many types of skin conditions are common in lupus.
Butterfly rash: This rash over the nose and cheeks can
range from a faint blush to a rash that is very severe, with scaling. It
is very sensitive to light and appears to gets worse when skin is
exposed to sun or certain types of artificial light. The rash may be
permanent or may come and go.
Discoid lesions: These scarring, coin-shaped lesions are
seen on areas of the skin that have been exposed to UV light. They may
also occur on the scalp and produce a scarring, localized baldness that
is permanent.
Subacute cutaneous lesions: These nonscarring, red,
coin-shaped lesions are very sensitive to UV light. They can appear
scaly and can mimic the lesions seen in psoriasis. They may occur only
on the face or cover large areas of the body.
Mucous membrane lesions: Mouth ulcers are sometimes seen
in lupus patients. Nose and vaginal ulcers may also occur. These lesions
are usually painless.
Hair loss: In addition to losing hair because of discoid
lesions, some lupus patients may develop a temporary, generalized hair
loss followed by the growth of new hair. Hair loss may also be caused by
infection or by use of corticosteroids or other lupus medications. A
severe lupus flare could result in defective hair growth, causing the
hair to be fragile and break easily.
Vasculitis: This is a condition in which the blood
vessels become inflamed. Very small blood vessels can break and cause
bleeding into the tissues, resulting in tiny, reddish-purple spots on
the skin known as petechiae (pe-teke-ee-ah). Larger spots are called
purpura and may look like a bruise. Vasculitis can also cause blood
clots to form, skinulcers to develop, and small black areas to appear
around fingers and toenails. These black areas are a sign of serious
tissue damage. If they begin to develop, see your doctor immediately.
Raynaud?s phenomenon: This is a condition in which the
blood vessels of the fingers and toes react in an extreme way to cold or
stress. They suddenly get very narrow (vasoconstrict). This decreases
the blood supply going through the vessel. As a result, the fingers and
toes become cold and can become pale or bluish. Pain or tingling can
occur when the hands and feet warm up and circulation returns to normal.
Drug-induced skin changes: Some drugs used to treat
lupus, such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, and antineoplastics,
can affect the skin. Your doctor or nurse will review these side effects
with you if one of these drugs has been prescribed.
Caring For Yourself
- Reduce your exposure to the sun and to some sources of artificial
light (especially fluorescent and halogen bulbs). The skin of people
with lupus is very sensitive to the UV light that comes from these
sources.
- Limit outdoor activity between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
This may mean a big change in your lifestyle if you work or play
outdoors a lot.
- Wear a sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. It should have a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Be sure that the sunscreen
protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
- Wear sunscreen all year round and on cloudy days as well as on
sunny days. Also wear it indoors if you spend a lot of time in a
room with many windows (glass does not filter out UV rays).
- Wear protective clothing, such as hats with wide brims and
clothing made of tightly woven material. Thin, loosely woven
material allows UV light to penetrate to the skin.
- Be aware of fluorescent light and halogen lamps. They can be found
in many places and include floor lamps, overhead lights,
photo-copiers, and slide projectors. Sunscreen and protective
clothing can help.
- Tell your doctor immediately if any rash or sore appears or gets
worse.
- If your doctor prescribes a medication for your skin condition, be
sure to take it as directed.
- Try rinsing your mouth with salt water and eating soft foods if
you have mouth ulcers. A number of other treatments and preparations
are available to treat mouth ulcers as well as those in the nose and
vagina.
- Avoid preparations or medications you know will make your skin
condition worse. These might include hair dyes, skin creams, certain
drugs that can make you more sensitive to the sun (for example,
tetracyclines or diuretics), and things you are allergic to.
- It?s okay to wear makeup, but try hypoallergenic brands. A brand
that also includes UV protection would be good to use.
- If you have Raynaud?s phenomenon, dress warmly in cold weather.
Pay particular attention to keeping your hands and feet warm.
Keeping your home warm will also help prevent an attack. Avoid
smoking, caffeine, and stress ? all of these can contribute to
Raynaud?s phenomenon.
- If you have trouble maintaining a positive attitude about your
appearance or your lupus, call your doctor or nurse to discuss your
feelings and concerns.
Medical Info
