| Discoid lupus erythematosus is a condition of the skin | | | | estrogen seem to facilitate the development of the |
| that generates localized or widespread circular lesions. | | | | disorder) and environmental factors (prolonged |
| Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune | | | | medical treatments with antibiotics). Discoid lupus |
| condition. Instead of protecting the body against | | | | erythematosus has a pronounced hereditary |
| infectious organisms, certain dysfunctions of the | | | | character, as the majority of affected people have a |
| immune system cause it to attack healthy body cells | | | | family history of the disorder. |
| and tissues, producing lesions on the surface of the | | | | The process of diagnosing discoid lupus |
| skin. The skin lesions caused by discoid lupus | | | | erythematosus involves physical examination, |
| erythematosus can aggravate due to prolonged | | | | laboratory analysis of skin samples and elaborate |
| exposure to the sun. Most patients have localized | | | | blood tests. If laboratory tests reveal dysfunctions of |
| skin lesions, predominantly on the body regions | | | | the immune system and the skin lesions are linked to |
| exposed to sunlight: scalp, face, neck and arms. | | | | discoid lupus erythematosus, the patients will be |
| However, some patients have skin lesions on | | | | prescribed an appropriate medical treatment. Although |
| unexposed regions of the body: chest, back or legs. | | | | the disorder can't be completely overcome through |
| These lesions can indicate the development of | | | | the means of the medical treatments available today, |
| systemic lupus erythematosus, which involves serious | | | | discoid lupus erythematosus can be controlled and its |
| abnormalities of the immune system. | | | | generated symptoms can be ameliorated. Patients |
| While people with discoid lupus erythematosus mostly | | | | diagnosed with discoid lupus erythematosus need to |
| present recurring skin disorders, patients diagnosed | | | | avoid exposure to sunlight in order to prevent |
| with systemic lupus erythematosus can develop a | | | | aggravation of their skin lesions and the formation of |
| wide range of diseases: cardiovascular diseases, | | | | permanent scars. |
| tuberculosis, pneumonia, disorders of the | | | | In the early stages of discoid lupus erythematosus, |
| gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the musculoskeletal | | | | the skin lesions have a reddish, circular aspect and |
| or nervous systems. | | | | the borders of the affected skin present sharp |
| Discoid lupus erythematosus is very common in | | | | prominences. In time, the skin may become scaly and |
| women with ages between 18 and 50 and it rarely | | | | crusty. When discoid lupus erythematosus affects |
| occurs in men. The skin disorder has the highest | | | | the scalp, the disorder often involves temporary or |
| incidence in African American women, who commonly | | | | even permanent hair loss. African American patients |
| experience more intense symptoms of discoid lupus | | | | are exposed to a high risk of developing skin cancer |
| erythematosus. Although the actual causes of the | | | | and they should take special measures in avoiding sun |
| disorder have not been identified, multiple | | | | burns. With the help of medical treatments and by |
| inter-related factors are suspected for triggering the | | | | avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight, the skin |
| condition: genetic factors (inherited genetic | | | | disorder can be kept under control and its symptoms |
| abnormalities), hormonal factors (excessive levels of | | | | can be considerably ameliorated. |