Can lupus affect your scalp?
Lupus causes widespread inflammation that usually involves your skin — particularly on your face and scalp. Lupus can cause the hair on your scalp to gradually thin out, although a few people lose clumps of hair. Loss of eyebrow, eyelash, beard and body hair also is possible.
What does lupus look like on the scalp?
Discoid lupus lesions, which are thick and disk-shaped. They often appear on the scalp or face and can cause permanent scarring. They may be red and scaly, but they do not cause pain or itching. Subacute cutaneous lesions, which may look like patches of scaly skin or ring-shaped sores.
What does subcutaneous lupus look like?
The rash typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, back and arms. The rash can look like: Red, ring-shaped, raised lesions that can form interlocking circles. Red, raised, dry skin that resembles a psoriasis rash.
How do you treat discoid lupus on the scalp?
Topical treatments
- Strong steroid creams or steroid injections into the lesions.
- Steroid-sparing creams and ointments.
- Topical imiquimod cream is an alternative treatment for widespread discoid lupus.
- Skin camouflage can be used where there are areas of plaque involvement or if scarring occurs.
Can a scalp biopsy diagnosis lupus?
Examining gene expression in hair follicles may be sufficient to diagnose chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE), a kind of lupus in the scalp, avoiding invasive and expensive scalp biopsies, a study suggests.
Can skin lupus be cured?
Treatments help to control the disease, but there is no permanent cure for skin lupus, so it is important to see your physician regularly.
What is the difference between cutaneous lupus and systemic lupus?
Systemic lupus is a type of autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your body, including your internal organs. In cutaneous (skin) lupus, your immune system attacks your skin.
What is the treatment for scalp lupus?
Treatment of cutaneous lupus typically involves strict sun protection, the use of topical steroids and other topical anti-inflammatory medicines, as well as anti-malarial oral medicines, e.g. hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). If there is scalp involvement, steroid injections into the affected skin may be considered.
What are symptoms of cutaneous lupus?
The general signs and symptoms of cutaneous lupus erythematosus include the following: Sudden onset of fever without any cause. Body weakness and fatigue. Malaise or a general feeling of discomfort.
What are the signs of discoid lupus on scalp?
Butterfly rash.
What are the problems with lupus?
Lupus may lead to blood problems, including anemia and increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Lungs. Having lupus increases your chances of developing an inflammation of the chest cavity lining (pleurisy), which can make breathing painful.
