Lupus And Your Skin – Causes, Effects, And Treatments

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. While the exact cause is not fully understood, lupus occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues, mistaking them for harmful invaders. This can result in widespread inflammation and damage to various parts of the body, including the skin¹. The condition is known for its unpredictable nature, as symptoms can range from mild to severe and often vary significantly between individuals. Some may experience flare-ups triggered by stress, sunlight, or infections, making lupus a complex condition to manage.

For many, one of the most noticeable effects of lupus is its impact on the skin. Skin involvement is one of the most common manifestations of lupus, with symptoms like rashes, lesions, and photosensitivity being hallmark signs. The “butterfly rash,” which spans across the cheeks and nose, is particularly distinctive². These skin-related symptoms can be more than just physical; they often have emotional and social implications, affecting a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.

How lupus affects the skin

Lupus affects the skin in several ways, manifesting in different types of lesions and conditions:

1. Acute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (ACLE): This type often causes the classic butterfly rash and is closely linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The rash can appear after sun exposure and may take weeks to resolve.

2. Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE): SCLE often results in red, scaly patches or ring-shaped lesions. These lesions are usually found on areas exposed to the sun, such as the arms and neck.

3. Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CCLE): Also known as discoid lupus, CCLE causes thick, scaly, and dis-coloured patches on the skin. These lesions can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss if they occur on the scalp.

In addition to these types, lupus can make the skin hypersensitive to UV rays, a condition known as photosensitivity³. This reaction can trigger flare-ups or worsen existing lesions, further complicating the management of the disease.

Caring for lupus-affected skin

Managing lupus-related skin issues often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Dermatologists play a critical role in helping patients address the physical and aesthetic challenges posed by the condition. Here are some essential aspects of care:

1. Avoid sun exposure

Protecting the skin from the sun is crucial for those with lupus. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, and wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. Staying in the shade and avoiding peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) can also help.

2. Gentle skincare routine

A gentle skincare routine using mild, fragrance-free products can help maintain skin health without causing irritation. Avoid harsh exfoliants or treatments that can aggravate sensitive or inflamed skin.

3. Medications

Topical steroids, oral medications, and antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine are commonly prescribed to manage lupus-related skin conditions. These treatments help reduce inflammation and control flare-ups. Consulting a dermatology clinic with expertise in autoimmune skin disorders can ensure you receive appropriate care.

4. Regular monitoring

Lupus patients are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer due to prolonged sun exposure and the use of immunosuppressive medications. Regular check-ups, including a Singapore skin cancer and mole check, can help detect any abnormalities early and ensure timely intervention.

Advances in treatment options

Recent advancements in dermatology have expanded the treatment options available for lupus-related skin conditions. From advanced immunomodulating therapies to targeted skincare solutions, patients now have access to more effective ways of managing their symptoms. Certain trending ingredients for your skin, like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, are gaining popularity for their soothing properties, although it’s essential to consult a dermatologist before trying any new products.

Additionally, laser therapies and other non-invasive procedures can help address scarring or pigmentation issues caused by lupus lesions, improving both the appearance and texture of the skin.

When to see a dermatologist

If you suspect that lupus is affecting your skin, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly. Signs to watch for include:

Persistent or recurring rashes
Lesions that worsen with sun exposure
Unexplained sensitivity or irritation
Changes in existing moles or new growths

Visiting a dermatologist can provide clarity and direction for managing your symptoms effectively. In Singapore, specialised services and comprehensive skin assessments are widely available, ensuring that your unique needs are met.

Conclusion

Living with lupus can be challenging, especially when it affects your skin. However, with the right care and guidance, it’s possible to manage symptoms and maintain healthy skin. Angeline Yong Dermatology is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their dermatological concerns with a compassionate, patient-centric approach. Reach out today to begin your journey towards healthier skin.

References

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). (n.d.). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus

Cutaneous photosensitivity (Concept Id: C0349506) – MedGen – NCBI. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/87601

Vevers, S. (2024, January 30). Why is sunlight a potential trigger for a lupus rash? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lupus-rash-from-sun#:~:text=Lupus%20and%20light%20sensitivity,-Share%20on%20Pinterest&text=The%20most%20common%20symptom%20is,after%20exposure%20to%20UV%20light

Use of this website signifies your agreement to The Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

You are deemed to have entered into an agreement with Angeline Yong Dermatology and to have agreed to be bound by the terms set out below by accessing ayd.com.sg (“the Sites”) or by otherwise accessing any content found on this web site. By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. The Site is owned and operated by Angeline Yong Dermatology.

Intellectual Property Protection
Use of Angeline Yong Dermatology Content
Changes to the Site
Privacy Policy
No Warranty, Disclaimer of Liability and Indemnity
Force Majeure
Miscellaneous
Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Intellectual Property Protection

The contents and design of the Site and any material e-mailed to you or otherwise supplied to you in conjunction with the Site (such contents, design and materials being collectively referred to as the “Angeline Yong Dermatology Content”, are copyright of Angeline Yong Dermatology. You may not use or reproduce or allow anyone to use or reproduce any trademarks (such as ” Angeline Yong Dermatology” name and logo or other trade names appearing on the Site) for any reason without written permission from Angeline Yong Dermatology. The software, which operates the Site, is proprietary software and you may not use it except as expressly allowed under these Terms. You may not copy, modify, reverse engineer or otherwise interfere with the software.

Use of Angeline Yong Dermatology Content

You may retrieve and display the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content on a computer screen or mobile telephone, print individual pages on paper (but not photocopy them) and store such pages in electronic form for your personal, non-commercial use. You may not save or post any of the Content on blogs, Facebook, and other websites that allows viewing by the general public without written permission from Angeline Yong Dermatology. Except as expressly set out above, you may not reproduce, modify or in any way commercially exploit any of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content.

Changes to the Site

Angeline Yong Dermatology reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, add or remove portions of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content available on the Site at any time and to restrict the use and accessibility of the Site in its discretion and without prior notification.

Privacy Policy

The information that you provide about yourself and your company to Angeline Yong Dermatology will only be used in accordance with Angeline Yong Dermatology’s Privacy Policy Statement. We will:

retain your information only for as long as there is a business need
take reasonable steps to ensure that the information is accurate, adequate, relevant and up to date.
update or correct your information held by us whenever necessary
take appropriate measures to prevent and minimize risks of unauthorised access to the information

We may use your personal information, such as your name and contact details, for the following purposes:

to perform the services that you have requested, which may involve contacting you by telephone, mobile phone, fax machine, post or email, including sending you electronic direct mailers.
to allow us to promote our products, events and activities.

No Warranty, Disclaimer of Liability and Indemnity

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the high quality and accuracy of the Site, Angeline Yong Dermatology makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content, the Site, software or products or services available through the Site (the “Site Services”), which are provided “as is”. Angeline Yong Dermatology expressly disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and warranties of merchantability. In no event will Angeline Yong Dermatology, its affiliates or other suppliers be liable for direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information or other pecuniary loss) arising directly or indirectly from the use of (or failure to use) or reliance on the Site Services, even if Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates has been advised of the possibility that such damages may arise.

Angeline Yong Dermatology does not guarantee the accuracy, content, or timeliness of the Site Services or that they or related systems are free from viruses or other contaminating or destructive properties. Angeline Yong Dermatology accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided “as is” with no warranty, express or implied for the information provided within them.

Upon accessing to this Site, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates from any claims and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, related to any breach of these Terms by you or your use of any Site Services.

Force Majeure

Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates will not be liable or deemed to be in default for any delay or failure in performance or interruption of the delivery of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content resulting directly or indirectly from any cause or circumstance beyond its or their reasonable control, including but not limited to failure of electronic or mechanical equipment or communication lines, telephone or other interconnect problems, computer viruses, unauthorized access, theft, operator errors, severe weather, earthquakes or natural disasters, strikes or other labour problems, wars, or government restrictions.

Miscellaneous

Changes to these Terms. Angeline Yong Dermatology may, in its discretion, change these Terms (including those relating to your use of Site and/or the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content. When Terms are changed, Angeline Yong Dermatology will notify you by email or by publishing details of those changes by including them in these Terms. If you use the Site after Angeline Yong Dermatology has published or notified you of the changes, you are agreeing now to be bound by those changes. If you do not agree to be bound by those changes, you should not use the Site any further after they are published. Access to certain areas of the Angeline Yong Dermatology Content may be subject to additional terms and conditions.

Advertising, Third Party Content and other Web Sites. Parts of the Site may contain advertising or other third-party content. Advertisers and other content providers are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on the Site complies with international and national law. Angeline Yong Dermatology is not responsible for any third-party content or error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertising material. The Site may contain links to other web sites. Angeline Yong Dermatology is not responsible for the availability of these web sites or their contents.

Assignment of Agreement. This agreement is personal to you and your rights and obligations under these Terms may not be assigned, sub-licensed or otherwise transferred. This agreement may be assigned to a third party by Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates.

Non-Waiver. No delay or omission on the part of either party in requiring performance by the other party of its obligations will operate as a waiver of any right.

Notices. Notices to Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates must be given in writing by letter.

Severability/Survival/Statute of Limitations. If any provision of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, such will not render all the Terms unenforceable or invalid but rather the Terms will be read and construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision(s) are not contained therein. Any cause of action of yours with respect to these Terms must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction in Singapore, within one year after the cause of action has arisen, or such cause will be barred, invalid, and void.

Whole Agreement. Save as expressly referred to herein, any representation, warranty, term or condition not expressly set out in these Terms shall not apply.

Headings. Headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal meaning or effect.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Singapore. The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of Singapore shall (subject to the paragraph below) have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of, under, or in connection with these Terms or the legal relationship established by them, and for those purposes irrevocably submit all disputes to the jurisdiction of Singapore courts. For the exclusive benefit of Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates, Angeline Yong Dermatology and its affiliates shall retain the right to bring proceedings as to the substance of the matter in the courts of the country of your residence or, where these Terms are entered into in the course of your trade or profession, the country of your principal place of business.

Media.

Lupus And Your Skin – Causes, Effects, And Treatments