Lupus Erythematosus- Skin Disorders
Author: Robert Baird
Hyperthyroidism. Autoimmune thyroid disease of the hypermetabolic type (Graves disease) is reflected by several visible changes. The skin is soft and moist. Scalp hair is thin in diameter, and evidence of diffuse alopecia may be present. Vitiligo occurs in 5% to 10%, and alopecia areata occurs in 1 % or 2% of the patients. Onycholysis of the fingernails is sometimes seen. Late in the course of the disease a few patients develop a peculiar form of clubbing (thyroid acropachy) or pretibial myxedema. The latter consists of thickened, pebbly, skin-colored plaques over the lower anterior shins. These plaques are usually asymptomatic.
Diabetes Mellitus
Patients with diabetes mellitus may develop a number of cutaneous changes. The yellow plaques of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum most often located on the anterior shins, are the most distinctive of these changes.Small, hypopigmented, slightly depressed scars (diabetic dermopathy) are also occasionally found on the anterior lower legs. These lesions probably represent obliterative small vessel disease in an area prone to trauma. Bullous lesions somewhat similar in appearance to those of pemphigoid may arise from otherwise normal-appearing skin around the feet and ankles. The cause of these blisters is unknown. Eruptive xanthomas consisting of small, smooth, pink, dome-shaped papules may appear in a sudden shower of lesions in those whose diabetes is grossly out of control. Staphylococcal bacterial infections and candidal yeast infections are seen with increased frequency in diabetic persons. Diabetes is also associated with a variety of other cutaneous and medical conditions.
Neurofibromatosis
The presence of sharply marginated, light brown patches (cafe-au-lait patches) is often the first clue to the presence of von Recklinghausen's disease . In late childhood or during the teenage years, axillary freckling and cutaneous neurofibromas begin to develop. The latter are soft, smooth-surfaced, peduncuated papules 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. They vary in number from several to hundreds and are distributed randomly over the trunk and extremities. Patients with the most severe forms of neurofibromatosis may develop large, grotesque, sack-like plexiform neuromas. A small proportion of these latter lesions undergo sarcomatous degeneration.
Tuberous Sclerosis
The earliest sign of tuberous sclerosis is generally the presence of small, faint white, oval patches (ash leaf spots) scattered randomly on the trunk and extremities . These lesions may be present at birth or may develop in early childhood. One or more thickened skin-colored plaques (shagreen plaques) may appear on the lower back in late childhood. Towards puberty, pinhead-sized, smooth, red, dome-shaped papules (adenoma sebaceum) begin to emerge on the central portion of the face. The upper lip is spared. Such lesions are easily mistaken for acne papules. Finally, in adult life, small, firm, skin-colored, subungual or periungual fibromas may be noted.
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.
This dominantly inherited condition is characterized by the presence of small brown or blackfreckles that appear in clusters on and around the lips and on the fingertips. These pigmentary changes are accompanied by the development of intestinal polyps. Carcinomatous degeneration of these polyps is not common but does occur.
Osler-Weber-Reudu Syndrome
This dominantly inherited condition, also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, is characterized by the presence of small, dusky red, clustered manlles on the fingertips, lips, and mucosal surfaces. These macules are composed of multiple telangiectatic vessels that blanch on pressure. Lesions similar to these may also .occur in patients with the CRST (calcification, Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma, and telangiectasia) variant of scleroderma. Patients with this disease have recurrent episodes of epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding. Arteriovenous fistulae are sometimes present in the lungs and liver.
Can skin lupus become internal lupus?
My mom asked me that the other day. She has skin lupus. Thanks
She gets open sores and they sting before they turn into scabs. Sometimes they may leave a scar
adbz you haven’t been in the health care field long if you haven’t heard of discoid lupus…skin lupus…(I’m responding to the first answer to this question).
Discoid Lupus can develop into Systemic Lupus but you are only at a slightly higher risk then the general population of developing SLE. Most people with discoid lupus do not develop Systemic Lupus.
Good Luck!
Is cracking skin tissue on the feet a possible symptom of lupus? what could cause this?
I don’t really wanna freak out, and I don’t think my mom has lupus (of course I have no way of knowing now), but she was stating that the skin tissue on the bottom of her feet was cracking and breaking, creating almost what are cuts all over her feet. She said she is concerned that if this is apparent in other tissue she may have lupus. What could cause something like this sort of reaction to skin tissue? Is cracking skin tissue a symptom of lupus? She has degenerative disc disease if that information is good for evaluation.
Where on earth did she get the idea cracked feet could be caused by lupus? Cracked heels and feet are a very common problem–she just needs to see a good podiatrist. Symptoms of lupus are things like swelling, arthritis-like symptoms, fever and rashes, and fatigue.
Earlier someone asked a question about lupus. Would someone know about how lupus effects the skin?
Specifically, lupus forces the skin to over activate causing lesions that take a long time to heal and leave very dark scarring. Any remedies out there for healing and lightening dark areas on the skin?
I have been diagnosed since 04 with systemic Lupus. If you have no internall problems than you have just Discoid. Either way its painfull. I have found that tanning helps blend them so they are not so noticeable or try using a scar makeup.( Dermablend ). My dermatologist put me on Naffin cream and Lamisil but I had no relief.
Here is a web site that may help you understand the types.
http://www.lupus.org
* There is no cure for Lupus, sure there are way to supress it for a while but it never goes away.
Does anyone know how to care for a dog with Skin discoid lupus?
I have a dog, name CiCi who was diagnosted with Sking discoid lupus, her liver and kidneys are doing good.. Has anyone ever had this condition and what did they use to control it? Right now she has it on her nose and is on cordasteroids till it heals.
Sorry to hear that. The vet thought my GSD had it, but turned out to be allergies.
http://www.azmira.com Under products, and topicals “Rejuva Spray.” This might be helpful in the event of future breakouts, also Vitamin E can help control the disease, any dog should have added vitamin E to their diet everyday. This is a REALLY good site, I use a lot of products from Azmira. Vitamin C may help as well, considering it is an anti-everything bacteria and viral.
Does anyone else have Skin Lupus?
I was diagnosed with Skin Lupus about a year ago. I was just wondering if anyone else here has this. I would like to find people to talk with about the various treatments and options they have tried. Basically, I am tired of feeling alone in this.
Here is a site for you to talk with others about this…..
RevolutionHealth.com