1. Lupus Erythematosus
Paige Ramsett

2. Description
Lupus is an autoimmune disease – meaning an abnormal response of the immune system to tissues and other materials normally found in the body.
In this particular case, the body decides to attack and destroy healthy tissue affecting joints, skin, the brain, and other organs.

3. Scientific Description
Lupus is an inflammatory disease infecting the upper dermis and epidermis
Chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus
Subacute cutaneous lupus
Acute cutaneous lupus
Red, scaly, thick, disc- shaped lesions
over time cause discoloration
scaring and hair loss from placement (permanent w/scarring)
cancer( squamous cell carcin oma)
Areas of red scaly skin w/defined edges or red ring-shaped lesions
normally don’t itch or scar but can become discolored
photosensitive/avoid UV rays and fluorescent lights
Occur when systemic lupus is active causing redness on the cheeks and nose like a sunburn
malar rash/ “butterfly rash”
normally no scaring
can present on limbs too
very photosensitive w/ discoloration in skin sometimes

4. Subacute cutaneous lupus
Chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus

5. Signs/Symptoms
Other diseases can present with lupus as symptom or be brought on by it such as:
Calcinosis, Cutaneous vasculitis lesions, Raynaud’s phenomenon, Livedo reticularis and palmar erythema, Mucosal ulcerations, Petechiae
More common symptoms include:
Swollen lymph nodes, sunlight sensitivity, hair loss, mouth sores, chest pain with deep breaths, fever with no other cause, and fatigue
Depending on the part of the body effected the symptoms may change
Nervous system: Headaches, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems, and personality changes
Digestive tract: Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
Heart: Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Lung: Coughing up blood, difficulty breathing
Skin: Patchy skin color, fingers that change color when cold
Kidney: Swelling in the legs, weight gain

6. Causes
The true cause of SLE is not known, but SLE is more common in females than males (normally from the ages of 15-44).
For cutaneous lupus, some environmental triggers can be:
medications, viruses, sunlight and UV light promoting cell death, and hereditary aspects

7. Cure
Unfortunately, No cure exists for Lupus, therefore the main goal is to control the symptoms
Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen when in the sun.
Get preventive heart care.
Stay up-to-date with immunizations.
Have tests to screen for thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).
Avoid tobacco and drink minimal amounts of alcohol
For mild forms:
NSAIDs for joint symptoms and pleurisy
Low doses of corticosteroids for skin and arthritis symptoms
Corticosteroid creams for skin rashes
Hydroxychloroquine, a drug also used to treat malaria
For more severe SLE:
High-dose corticosteroids
Immunosuppressive drugs (drugs which dampen or suppress the immune system)
Blood thinners, for clotting disorders

8. Worst Case Senario
Blood clots in arteries of veins of the legs, lungs, brain, or intestines
Destruction of red blood cells or anemia of chronic disease
Fluid around the heart (pericarditis), or inflammation of the heart (myocarditis or endocarditis)
Fluid around the lungs and damage to lung tissue
Pregnancy problems, including miscarriage
Stroke
Severely low blood platelet count (platelets are needed to stop any bleeding)
Inflammation of the blood vessels
Both SLE and some of the medicines used for SLE can harm an unborn child
All can cause DEATH

9. Facts
Lupus is a leading cause of premature cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke among young women
More than 90% of lupus sufferers are women
In Latin, lupus means wolf, and erythematosus means redness. In the 18th century, doctors who first treated the disease noticed a common symptom: a red rash on the face and thought looked liked a wolf, or lupus, bite
Lupus is known as “the great imitator” because it’s symptoms mimic those of other diseases
More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the United State

10. Citations