Lupus

It is an autoimmune condition where your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. It can affect multiple system of the body causing inflammation of skin, hair, kidneys, joints, blood vessels, brain and heart. Lupus occurs commonly between 20- 40 years in females.

Cutaneous Lupus:
Lupus can present in 3 main types.
1. Acute cutaneous Lupus: Acute lupus almost always progresses to systemic involvement. Hence acute lupus should be closely monitored
2. Subacute lupus
3. Chronic lupus
Subacute and chronic usually are limited to skin involvement

Causes:
- Autoimmune
- Hereditary
- Genetic predisposition
- Triggering factors:
- Sunlight
- Certain medicines like blood pressure medicines, anti-seizure medicines etc.
- Certain infections

Symptoms and signs:
- Skin lesions present as itchy, red patches on cheeks and nose (butterfly rash)
- Subacute type presents as circular red lesions on sun exposed areas.
- Chronic type leaves behind scars and discoloration on face, scalp and ears.
- Diffuse hair fall can occur
- Scarring of hair follicles leads to patches of hair loss
- Hands turn blue on exposure to cold
- Other symptoms include joint pain, headache, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Can lead to pregnancy complications when the disease is active