TUESDAY, April 25, 2023 (HealthDay Information) — Pores and skin situations could be the first signal that an individual has a rheumatic illness that may even have an effect on the joints, muscle mass or ligaments.
It’s important to know what to search for, mentioned Dr. Kathryn Dao, an affiliate professor of inside medication within the Division of Rheumatic Ailments at UT Southwestern in Dallas.
“Pores and skin lesions can happen at any time,” Dao mentioned in a college information launch. “If they’re related to an autoimmune illness, they may manifest when the illness is energetic. When autoimmune ailments are handled, the pores and skin lesions will normally enhance.”
Folks ought to see their docs if their pores and skin lesions are painful or if they’re mixed with different signs, resembling fever, weight reduction, diarrhea or joint swelling. It’s tremendous to observe pores and skin situations to see whether or not they resolve on their very own if there are none of those different signs, Dao mentioned.
“If the lesions progressively worsen, sufferers ought to attempt to get in to see their physician sooner for an analysis,” she mentioned.
Dao mentioned it is vital to keep away from scratching pores and skin lesions, which can worsen or trigger an an infection. She additionally urged individuals to guard themselves from the solar and get common pores and skin checks.
Dao and colleague Dr. Benjamin Chong, an affiliate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern, highlighted some widespread pores and skin issues that they are saying may foretell of a critical rheumatic situation.
Photosensitivity could be an early symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or dermatomyositis, a uncommon illness that may trigger muscle weak spot and pores and skin rashes. Direct solar or ultraviolet mild publicity may injury the pores and skin, they mentioned.
Solar publicity might produce rashes, together with these which are situated on the bridge of the nostril and cheekbones in these with SLE.
Some lesions may appear to be ringworm with tough, crimson patches. This may sign subacute cutaneous lupus. Harm, resembling scarring, hair loss, and lighter and darker pores and skin, might be everlasting in instances of discoid lupus.
Redness and itching may seem over the scalp, chest, neck, eyelids, palms, arms and different areas uncovered to the solar with dermatomyositis. Sufferers may have thickened, crimson plaques on the knuckles. It’s vital to make use of solar safety when outside, together with sporting hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
