Erythematosus - Symptoms & Treatment

Erythematosus, often simply called lupus, is a condition whereby the body's defence mechanism goes into overdrive and starts to attack itself. It is not known why this inflammatory reaction begins, but it probably occurs because of some combination of inborn or hereditary predispositions and environmental factors. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from harmful substances. But in patients with an autoimmune disease, the immune system can't tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. Patients with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious agents. It can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. These lesions develop as a red, inflamed patch with a scaling and crusty appearance. The center areas may appear lighter in color with a rim darker than the normal skin. Lupus can occur at any age, but is most common in women and particularly non-Caucasian women. The most common symptoms include skin rashes and arthritis, often accompanied by fatigue and fever.

Erythematosus is an uncommon but severe disorder. This condition tends to run in families. Females outnumber males with this condition 3 to 1. The symptoms of erythematosus may be mild or serious. In some patients with erythematosus, sunlight and cigarette smoking may make the lesions come out. Sometimes lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and/or nervous system. The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known. Some researchers think autoimmune diseases occur after infection with an organism that looks like certain proteins in the body. Because the antibodies and accompanying cells of inflammation can involve tissues anywhere in the body, lupus has the potential to affect a variety of areas of the body. In patients with erythematosus, cellular antigens exposed during apoptosis incite an immune response. Diagnosis of erythematosus may be suspected on the basis of symptoms, but is confirmed by a series of blood tests. Patients whose condition is sensitive to sunlight need to wear a UVA blocking sunscreen daily and a hat while out doors.

Causes of Erythematosus

The common causes and risk factor's of Erythematosus include the following:

• The exect cause is unknown.
• An autoimmune disease.
• Infection with an organism that looks like certain proteins in the body.
• Certain drugs.
• Some combination of inborn or hereditary predispositions and environmental factors.

Symptoms of Erythematosus

Some sign and symptoms related to Erythematosus are as follows:

• Unexplained fever.
• Red rashes, most commonly on the face.
• Central nervous system problems.
• Abdominal pain.
• Sensitivity to sunlight.
• Swelling (edema) in legs or around eyes.
• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Muscle aches.
• Swollen glands Lack of appetite.
• Visual disturbance.

Treatment of Erythematosus

Here is list of the methods for treating Erythematosus:

• For people with joint or chest pain or fever, drugs that decrease inflammation, called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are often used.
• Corticosteroid creams are used to treat skin rashes.
• Traditional Chinese medicine may be useful in the treatment of lupus.
• An anti-malaria drug called hydroxychloroquine) and low dose corticosteroids are sometimes used for skin and arthritis symptoms.
• Patients whose condition is sensitive to sunlight need to wear a UVA blocking sunscreen daily and a hat while out doors.
• Recently mycophenolate mofetil has been used to treat severe lupus kidney disease.
• Corticosteroid injections may be used for small lesions.

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